Children & Family Life

National LCMS Childrens Ministry Conference


"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Luke 2:52

THE BIG EVENT of SUMMER 2011 is coming: “Sandals to Sneakers”, July 7-10, 2011.

Mark the dates and REGISTER NOW!

Sponsored by: The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and Co-Hosted by St. John's, Orange, CA, and the Pacific Southwest District
Featuring: Dr. Mary Manz Simon, Dr. David Walsh, Rev. Dr. John and Monique Nunes, Michelle Thompson, Pastor Todd and Kellie Stocker, and Pastor Paul Stark.

Worship services will be led by Pastor Tim Klinkenberg of St. John’s, Orange, on Thursday, and Pastor Mike Gibson of Christ, Costa Mesa, on Sunday. There will also be a celebration of prayer and praise led by Pastor Chris Singer and the youth praise band at St. John’s Orange. Our special musical guest is well-known singer/songwriter Jana Alayra who will be giving a concert for those who attend! You won't want to miss this opportunity to gather together with others committed to reaching children and their families with the message of the Gospel.

Support, encourage and strengthen your children’s ministry professionals and volunteers through training, support, encouragement, dynamic worship and music. Participate in breakout sessions featuring innovative children's ministry and family ministry leaders. Return to your ministry refreshed, renewed and revitalized.
The theme Christ + Children + Community: Sandals to Sneakers based on Luke 2:52, speaks to church work professionals and volunteers who serve children and families in Sunday School, Early Childhood Education, School-Age Care, Vacation Bible School, Nurturing the Christian Home, Mid-Week programs and more. Special pricing has been developed so full teams of paid and volunteer staff can attend!

Need registration materials and detailed information? Go to lcms.org/NCMC now! Please note that there was a typo in the registration book regarding the online registration site. The correct link is http://www.regonline.com/national_children_ministry_conference_ii ,
or you can link directly from the NCMC web page at www.pswcic.org and click on the Sandals to Sneakers logo on the front page for up-to-date information including the registration booklet and all information!

See you in Orange, California, in July!

Children & Family Life

Parish Services strives to offer a wide variety of resources to assist congregations in the areas of children's ministry and family life ministry. We are also a link to LCMS Children's Ministry and Family Life Ministry.


Imagine Families Who...

  • walk together in faith, sharing the baptismal journey.
  • make choices informed by their faith.
  • faithfully engage in Christian education, fellowship, worship, stewardship, witness and service.
  • openly share rituals, traditions, values and beliefs.
  • connect their Christian faith to their actions, living and modeling what they confess and proclaim.
  • have marriages founded in Christ where man and woman are committed to their union, dedicating themselves to establishing and nurturing a healthy, Christ-centered life-long relationship.
  • dedicate meaningful time spent with each other individually and collectively.
  • set aside quiet time for Bible study, meditation and prayer.
  • evidence parents who are faithful to their calling to teach and discipline their children in faith.
  • share personal stories of faith with one another and others.
  • faithfully guide children to be positive contributors to the family, the church, the community.
  • practice honor and respect for one another, valuing the contributions of each generation.
  • are served by congregations who value and celebrate the gifts and contributions of all ages.
  • are intentionally supported, nurtured, and embraced by healthy congregations.

For more resources on Children’s Ministry, go to www.lcms.org/children
For more resources on Family Life Ministry, go to www.lcms.org/family

A Great Quote:


“One kid leading another kid to the foot of the cross for a life-changing encounter with Jesus is one of the most prolific and effective means of evangelism in the nation.”
– George Barna
Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions, Regal Books, 2003