Children

Other facets of our children's ministry program here at PBC include Pioneer Club and Boy's Brigade, Midweek Children's Ministry, the Worship and Wonder children's arts and music program, and Vacation Bible School.

In order for Kids to Praise the one true God, Build individual and corporate faith, and Confess Jesus Christ as Lord (KPBC) they need to be surrounded and nurtured by a community of adults who are passionate about joining them in their journey of faith. Listed below are four statements (with explanations) of commitments that we hope you will be led to embrace with us. These commitments are the result of prayer, theological reflection and collaborative efforts in following Jesus. We use them to inform and guide the policies and procedures of Children's Ministry, but they also represent a way of responding. In response to the Lord's leading and in dependence upon His Spirit we seek to:

• Welcome children into the community of Christ through classes and activities that:

  • nurture relationships
  • enhance spiritual formation
  • encourage genuine worship children begin to learn about Jesus

  Although we encourage each child to personally respond to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and seek baptism when they sense they are ready (with discerning help from parents and pastors) we believe that it is appropriate to embrace our children fully into the faith community, even before they profess Christ, as a way of nurturing their forming faith. We recognize and respect the ability of children to have meaningful spiritual experiences with God and believe it is our responsibility to help them find language and meaning for their experiences by teaching and sharing biblical Christian faith and leading them in worship.

• Honor teachers and staff by:

  • incorporating their passions and spiritual gifts into Children’s Ministry
  • offering relevant training and an encouraging community in which to serve

  Each Sunday mornings, 65-75 people are needed to staff classrooms. Whenever possible, a variety of ways and times for serving are offered. We encourage volunteers to share their thoughts and passions so that through collaboration and spiritual gifting we can offer care and classes that reflect the life of Christ in our midst. Training and support is provided by the Directors assigned to each department.

• Glorify Jesus Christ by being disciples that meaningfully engage in the lives of children by:

  • welcoming children in the name of Jesus is a way of receiving the Kingdom of God and demonstrating true discipleship (Mark 9:37).
  • giving public witness to this by seeking to find ways to encourage parents and the congregation as a whole in the spiritual nurturing of children.

  We believe that the best way to teach children about unhealthy aspects of the culture is to raise them in a community of Christian adults who understand the mutual blessing that is experienced in ministry to and with children.

• Welcome parents and children into deeper Christian community by engaging in social activities and events that:

  • allow us to share our lives in Christ
  • participate in God’s mission to the world

  With the desire to deepen our experience of Christian community we invite families to join us in living lives that bring glory to Jesus Christ in the Silicon Valley context. Together we seek to form a community that gives witness to the present and coming reign of God and live in conformity to it, rather than the surrounding culture.

If you would like a more detailed explanation of these points, read our explanation.

"All your children will be taught by the Lord." Isaiah 54:13a