Holistic Spiritual Formation With Children-Mimi Keel

Today, I am attending The Apprentice Gathering at Friends University in Wichita.  During the day, I attended a workshop led by Mimi Keel.

Below you will find notes from the workshop:

John Westerhoff in “Will our Children Have Faith?” writes, 

In the formation of children we do four things:

• We tell and retell God’s story until it becomes our own personal story
• We participate in the Eucharist and the liturgy
• We listen and talk to each other about our relationship with God
• We practice acts of ministry together

Holistic-Relating to the whole, rather than dissection of the parts; whole is greater than the sum of its parts

The Whole Child

Multiple-Intelligence Theory

• Educational philosophy that is based on developing the whole child
• Creates environments for the whole child to explore
• Types of multiple intelligences-Bodily, Verbal, Musical, Naturalist, Interpersonal, Mathematical (Logical), Visual
• See Handout: Multiple Intelligences and Prayer
• Video-What intelligences are happening?

The Whole Community

Parents

Primary influence in the life of a child-Deuteronomy 6

It’s not one-sided—we form them and they form us.

Conversation Starter Question

Church

Ivy Beckwith “The simple acts of holding, feeding, and changing babies in the nursery helps the children understand the church is a safe and loving place to be. These simple acts of love are putting building blocks in the foundations of trust these children will need to know the love of God.

Need to feel a part of “big” church. Find ways for them to be a part of corporate worship. Find ways for them to serve.

Robbie Castleman Quote-Parenting in the Pew

School

Classmates and school community and friends

City

What are the needs? 

Our head, heart, and hands are our superpowers.

World

Global awareness, Missionaries & Ministries that your church is involved with

The Whole Church

What might God be up to with our kids in our community at this time?

We did not want propositional or moralizing teaching. 

Introduced to Ivy Beckwith’s Postmodern Children’s Ministry

What do we need to develop a kids ministry what God is up to with our kids in our community at this time? Not copying big churches

Our People

The Word of God and the Holy Spirit

Theology of the Ordinary by Julie Canlis quote

Inspiration (books, art, multiple intelligences, sermon series)

Imaginative Prayer by Jared Patrick Boyd

Vision, Mission, and the Values of Our Church-Avoid silos and disconnected ministries

Mission: We are a community of people following Jesus and learning to live in his ways.

Jacob’s Well Core Commitments: Worship, Hospitality, Creativity, Learning, Justice

Jacob’s Well DNA-Present: God Shows Up, Generous: God Shares, Creative: We risk, Transformation: We are changed, Hope: We act

People-Chemistry, Competency, Character

How about us? See note

Blessing: God made you, God loves you, God blesses you, God is with you

Holistically Designed Formation

Outer Frame-Play

Inside Frame-Relationship, Story, Spiritual Practice

They write their own curriculum from birth to 5th grade

Relationship-It’s huge.  Connect with ice breaker so kids feel known and seen. Kragen structure (education). Things to touch while talking

Story-Everyone is captivated by story.  Trusting Holy Spirit is guiding them. Allow kids to process (questions). Figure out application. Captivate their imagination with the story of God-Ivy Beckwith. Godly play-YouTube, Steven James (Active Play)

Questions-Thin (Who, What, When, Where), Thick (How, I am wondering..., open ended, Why, What if, How would you feel)

2 Questions for each story—Who is God the Father, Son, Holy Spirit? and Who am I? 

Spiritual Practice-See handout. We model with kids.

Sacred Spaces

Holistic Ministry

Phases by Orange

“The best gift you can give to people you lead is a healthy, energized, fully surrendered, focused self. No one else can do that for you.”

 Life Balance Wheel

Investing in your leaders

Blessing for Adults and Children