Playgroup and Ministry

The following principles can help make your playgroup missional. They are currently being successfully used in many church playgroups to bring people into a relationship with Jesus. As a Christian playgroup, you may choose to prayerfully implement them.

• Faithful prayer is a vital and integral part of the playgroup ministry and outreach.
• The playgroup is seen by the church as part of its total ministry and is supported by leadership. Ongoing encouragement is given to everyone involved.
• The leader is a committed Christian who is passionate about playgroup as a ministry and can build a like-minded team
  around them.
• The differences between a Christian playgroup and a community playgroup are discussed and clearly understood.
• A mission statement for the playgroup that aligns with the vision of the church has been developed in conjunction with church leadership.
• Relationships develop when the size of the playgroup allows meaningful interactions (8-12 adults including leaders).
• Meaningful relationships develop when a significant number of Christians, including childfree adults, are involved in the  playgroup.
• Playgroup leaders include a variety of ages, men or women, with or without children.
• The focus of the playgroup is friendship evangelism, not the Christian curriculum. Relationships are the key, not the program.
  Someone on the church leadership team, e.g. the pastor, regularly visits the playgroup.
• All written and verbal information about the playgroup clearly states the Christian nature of the playgroup.
• Regular bridge-building activities link playgroup and church families together at organised functions.
• Willing church members are available to help playgroup members in need.
• The playgroup’s profile in the church is raised when the playgroup’s leadership team includes a leader (or their
  spouse) of the church’s leadership team.
• Caring and sharing is at the heart of playgroup ministry – birthdays are celebrated (children & adults); a meal provided; flowers and gifts; intentionally connecting people with similar interests and taking advantage of natural friendships.
• Church people are given specific responsibilities on the playgroup team for pastoral care, evangelism, communication and special events.
• Where the church community is continually updated about playgroup there is increased interest, involvement and
  prayer