We love the large scale events – the kids' clubs, the holiday camps, the all-in events. But you don't need a big event to make a big impact in your children's ministry. Small groups can be places where God's love, God's word and God's life are shared. They can be places where children discover God's word for themselves, where they grow as disciples, and where they can even serve one another in love.
At our 2024 Children's Ministry Conference, we're inviting you to come and discover the treasure of Small as we serve our Big God.
SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND CHURCHES
We'd love you to let the people in your life, who have an interest in any kind of children's ministry, know about this conference. The day will suit teams, groups and individuals. Keep an eye out on our social media, or use this 16:9 slide or digital flyer to help spread the word.
PROGRAM
This conference is held simultaneously at two campuses – SMBC Croydon Campus and SMBC Roberts-Dale Campus. The programs at each campus are identical in content. Each person chooses one 1.15pm seminar and one 2.30pm seminar. Please choose carefully as seminars sell out and can't be changed.
For those watching via livestream, the program will follow the Croydon Campus program and only Seminars 1 and 2 will be available to watch.
CROYDON CAMPUS
43 Badminton Road, Croydon 2132
8.15am – CHECK IN (+ tea and coffee and bookstall)
9.00am – Session 1 with Alan Thompson and Quiz Worx
10.10am – MORNING TEA
10.45am – Session 2 with Sandy Galea
12.00pm – LUNCH
12.50pm – Seminars 1, 3, 5, 7 (choose one)
2.00pm – AFTERNOON TEA
2.25pm – Seminars 2, 4, 6, 8 (choose one)
3:30pm – FINISH
ROBERTS-DALE CAMPUS
150 Croydon Avenue, Croydon Park 2133
8.15am – CHECK IN (+ tea and coffee and bookstall)
9.00am – Session 1 with Sandy Galea
10.10am – MORNING TEA
10.45am – Session 2 with Alan Thompson and Quiz Worx
12.00pm – LUNCH
12.50pm – Seminars 2, 4, 6, 8 (choose one)
2.00pm – AFTERNOON TEA
2.25pm – Seminars 1, 3, 5, 7 (choose one)
3:30pm – FINISH
SEMINARS
1. Small groups that engage every child with Sandy Galea (livestream)
We may have a group of children all the same age sitting in front of us, but this does not mean they will all engage with truth in the same way. Each child, uniquely made by God, learns differently. This seminar will help you reflect on your preferred learning style and how this impacts the way you teach children. It will give you tools to creatively engage children with God’s truth, giving every child the opportunity to explore this truth for themselves.
2. Small groups with big issues with Naomi de Vries and Robyn Turton (livestream)
Have you ever found yourself leading a small group that is quickly off topic, raising sensitive issues or struggling to engage? You are not alone! Children come to our small groups with a range of experiences, difficulties and challenges and as leaders we have the privilege of building small groups where children know that they are safe, known and loved. We’d love to have you join us in this seminar as we explore tips and tools for creating safe small groups and leading children who have experienced trauma, raise sensitive topics, or ask difficult questions.
3. Equipping small group leaders with Sarah Lancaster
It's exciting to see God working as people grow in their faith but it can be hard to know what to expect from kids as they grow. In this seminar we will think about how to help kids leaders understand the purpose of small groups so they can lead kids to grow in faith. We'll explore different types of activities and ways to help leaders make choices that suit the needs of their group.
4. Small groups that engage children with special needs with Kelly Peters
How can you build a children’s ministry with a place for every child, including those with special needs? In this workshop, we will discover the opportunities to build a rich and welcoming space where every child can grow in their love for Jesus.
5. Intergenerational small groups that build connections with Tim Beilharz
Small groups do not have to be formed along age and life stage commonalities. Hear how children—and adults!—can mutually benefit from being discipled by members of other generations through intergenerational small groups.
6. Puppetry Skills with QuizWorx
No matter whether you're in front of 5 kids or 500 kids, puppets can be used in your kids ministry to engage and communicate the Good News of Jesus to kids. Come and enjoy hands-on puppetry training and learn from Quiz Worx's 20+ years of experience and you will leave better equipped to share Jesus with kids using puppets.
7. Intentional discipleship of under 5s with Linda Stephens
This seminar will address discipling our tiniest believers. We will cover topics such as partnering with parents, engaging wriggly boys and using play in learning.
8. Music for under 5s with Josh Goscombe
No matter what musical talent you have, everyone can do music with under 5s! This workshop will help you think through the purpose and song choice for different musical contexts such as playgroup, church, and home. It will then teach lots of practical skills to engage 0-5yo kids, all of which we will practise together. Expect lots of smiles and fun!
PRESENTERS
Sandy Galea is the founder and director of Kidswise, a platform for resourcing and equipping people committed to discipling children well. Her passion is to partner with churches in growing effective ministries to children. Sandy has 33 years of experience in ministry to children and is currently the Family Ministry Integrator at Fellowship Dubai.
Naomi de Vries, an SMBC graduate, is the Children’s and Families Pastor at The Bridge Church, a multi-site Anglican Church on the Lower North Shore of Sydney. Naomi is passionate about helping churches and families grow children to be mature disciples who live for Jesus and love like Jesus.
Robyn Turton has a background in Social Work and Play Therapy with most of her career being in fostering, adoption, and child protection. She currently works in a primary school supporting teachers working with children impacted by trauma.
Sarah Lancaster is the Kids' Pastor at St Paul's Carlingford and North Rocks. She has over 20 years of kids ministry experience and loves getting to explore big ideas, ponder questions, pray and have fun with kids.
Tim Beilharz is a children’s ministry advisor, lecturer, trainer and writer for Anglican Youthworks. In his spare time, Tim also doubles up as the Children’s Pastor at Soul Revival Church. Tim lives in Sydney with his wife and kids and finds few things more enjoyable than grabbing a strong coffee with either a book or a friend and thinking through how to help kids know, love and obey King Jesus.
Kelly Peters is an SMBC graduate and has a masters in Special and Inclusive Education. She has been involved in Children's Ministry for many years, taught in special education and was a principal of a special school. She is now the full-time Children's Minister at Menai Anglican Church.
QuizWorx is a team of humans and puppets who present the good news of the Bible through creative live shows for kids, especially in state schools.
Linda Stephens is the Children’s Minister at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Castle Hill. She has been a primary school teacher, a full-time mum, a part-time theology student and has been in paid Children’s Ministry for 9 years. She is a mum to three teenagers and a golden retriever. She loves helping others to know Jesus, dancing and wearing colour!
Josh Goscombe is the Children & Families Minister at Christ Church Gladesville. He has been writing, performing and releasing kids songs for 12 years, and now has over 60 songs on Spotify. Josh’s music has increasingly been aimed at 0-5yo kids, with a unique focus on simple songs about the mundane moments of daily life that help parents actively disciple their kids.
Alan Thompson is the Head of New Testament at SMBC.
PLEASE NOTE
- On-campus tickets include Morning Tea, lunch and Afternoon Tea. Vegetarian, gluten free and dairy free options will be available on the day (there's no need to special order).
- We are not able to offer creche facilities at the conference.
- This livestream program will be recorded and made available via our online store at a later date.
CROYDON CAMPUS
43 Badminton Road, Croydon 2132
Helpful maps:
Burwood Station to Croydon Campus
Croydon Station to Croydon Campus
Street parking at Croydon Campus
ROBERTS-DALE CAMPUS
150 Croydon Avenue, Croydon Park 2133
Helpful maps:
Burwood Station to Roberts-Dale Campus
Croydon Station to Roberts-Dale Campus
Croydon Campus to Roberts-Dale Campus
Got questions? Email us or call us on 02 9747 4780
Note, if payment is an issue for you or your church, please get in contact with us.
