Barnabas in Churches
Resourcing work among children and families
‘And when you welcome one of these children because of me, you welcome me.’
Matthew 18:5 (CEV)
Welcome to the Barnabas in Churches website. We are passionate about bringing the Bible to life for children and families and so, on this site you will find ideas for your Sunday and midweek groups, material for all-age worship, links to our books, resources for training and information about our programmes and ministries.
What's new
What people think of our website...
It's always great to hear from people who find our ideas and resources helpful. The below was in an email from Truro Diocese - from the Children, Young People Schools E-Newsletter:
'Many of you will know and love the Barnabas in Churches website, full to bursting with ideas for storytelling, worship, prayer, Bible reflection with children and "all-ages"... all for free. The Barnabas Children's Ministry Team do a great job in making this one of the best resource sites for anyone involved in children's work in the church. It has recently been redesigned and updated to make it really easy to find the perfect idea for your session. Take a look and pass it on.'
If you like what we do, please do let us know and if you are able, please do consider giving a donation to support our work - find out more.
Find out more about supporting us
reviewNew Barnabas in Schools website
We have been working hard during the past few months on redesigning and reorganising the Barnabas in Schools website. It has now had a thorough makeover, which should make it quicker and easier to find the ideas and resources you need.
Do visit the website to have a look around, and feel free to pass on the address to others you know who might be able to use it.
You can read more about what's new under the Latest from Barnabas in Schools section of the homepage.
Visit the new Barnabas in Schools website
linkIdeas for February
It is perhaps no accident that the Olympics almost always fall in a leap year - at the very least, this means an extra day's training to achieve another 'giant leap for mankind'. So, if you are planning an Olympic theme for your programme or services, don't forget our running the race material, to which this month we have added:
- The great feast - This idea explores Jesus' words about the first coming last and the last first through the parable of the Great Feast, and offers a creative way to tell the story.
And here is a new idea this month to use at the start of your Mothering Sunday service:
A call to worship on Mothering Sunday - This idea offers a selection of Bible verses and visuals with which to call everyone to worship at a Mothering Sunday service.
ideaStarting Your Messy Church
If you are wondering about starting a Messy Church, this book is for you. It's short, punchy and easily passed round a team to help get everyone on board. If you want to get the basics across quickly, this will give you a good idea of whether or not Messy Church is for you. It sets out all that you will need to consider, with questions you should be asking and how to avoid pitfalls that may crop up along the way. If you have a question the answer will be here!
Looking forward to Easter?
Do check out our books and resources for Lent and Easter, perhaps especially Family Fun for Easter by Jane Butcher.
In addition to printed books, a number of our Lent and Easter resources are available as downloads.
View all Lent and Easter titles
View all Lent and Easter downloads
bookOn your marks - new ideas for January
In the same way that we aimed last year to keep you regularly stocked up with useful ideas for celebrating the Bible, in 2012 we plan to build up a resource bank of Bible stories with a sporting theme. So to kick you off, under the keyword 'running the race', we have:
- Words for a Christian sporting year - This idea brings together 12 verses from the Bible with a sporting link - one for each month of 2012 along with questions to get everyone talking.
- Bible record breakers - This is a collection of some crazy, sporty Bible 'facts' - useful for displays and as ice-breakers.
Ideas to celebrate festivals and special days
But, of course, 2012 is not just all about sport (thankfully!). There are plenty of ideas on the website to resource you for the various special days and festivals ahead:
- A story for Candlemas - the visit of Mary and Joseph to the Temple with baby Jesus: Candlemas - Great Grandma Anna and you can hear the story being told here.
- An idea for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
- And a series for Epiphany: The wise men; The baptism of Jesus; The wedding at Cana.
- And, looking ahead, a bunch of ideas for a Valentine's Day special: Lovely jubbly
Holiday Club resources
Now's a great time to start planning for your holiday club.
View all Holiday Club resources
Chris Hudson joined the Barnabas Children's Ministry Team in 2007. His particular interest lies in using music, storytelling and drama to help children explore the Bible. He is increasingly spending more time on teacher training, and oversees the Barnabas in Schools website.