Equipping
Leaders
Chip & Christi
Shepherds
Frank & Brian
Areas of Responsibility
What is Family Ministry?
Family Ministry is the cooperation between Children’s Ministry, Middle School Youth Ministry, and High School Youth Ministry. This partnership is intended to equip our families to form deep relationships with God and each other. We hope to bless families with an opportunity to cultivate deeper relationships with other families. We want to partner with you to prepare the next generation and we want to provide ways to serve our community.
We believe that healthy families make healthy churches. Our definition of “family” may vary from person to person. We are here to serve the family that God has given you. The mission of the Family Ministry Team is to empower and strengthen all families to whole-heartedly follow Jesus.
We pray that each of your families will feel at home in the family of God here at DCC.
DCC Families
It is a true honor to work with your family here at Donelson Church of Christ. We are the Family Ministry Team here at DCC and we want to give you an opportunity to get a glimpse into what we have planned for your children. Raising children is a commitment that takes a village. We consider ourselves part of our village, as we consider you the village for our own children.
Working with your children is such a blessing to us. We want to be a blessing to you. Please don’t ever hesitate to reach out to us for any needs you may have. We are here to support you as you raise your children in the Lord. We love your families. We surround you in prayer as you navigate parenting. Thank you for letting us teach, encourage, and love your kids.
May the Lord bless us with strength as we work together to raise these kids in Him. We are here for you.
In Christ,
Abby Carter, Christie Beddow & Craig Thomas
DCC Kids: Children’s Ministry (3 months-5th grade)
Minister: Abby Carter
Sunday Mornings
A Sunday within Children’s Ministry begins with all children and their families Worshipping together in the Auditorium. After taking Communion together, Children in Kindergarten and younger are invited to The Clubhouse. Our Clubhouse kids will be taken to their classes by our volunteers.
Classes for all ages (10:15am-11am)
We have eight classrooms that serve different age groups. Our wonderful teachers provide a safe environment to build a community of kids that come together to learn about Jesus. Our kids spend time learning about who they are because of who God is.
Wednesday Nights
Community Dinner @ 5pm
Classes @ 6:30
On Wednesday Nights, we have two classes for your children.
Option 1: Elementary Class
Option 2: Walkers-Pre-School
Our Elementary class is an environment that reviews our Sunday story, encourages community and friendships, and provides a chance for group activities. Our age-appropriate activity options provide a chance to go deeper into the Bible.
Our Pre-School class is a place where the kids are loved and taught about God’s Love.
Clubhouse
The Clubhouse is a place where walkers-Kindergarten friends can gather during the Sermon. The Clubhouse friends will be dismissed from the Auditorium. Please get a name tag and walk your child to the Clubhouse. We split our friends into two groups based on age. The Clubhouse is staffed by parent volunteers as well as a leader.
The kids play, sing, and learn through different modes and methods. We hope this option gives our parents an opportunity to listen to the Sermon.
- Make sure to take your child to the bathroom before coming to the Clubhouse.
- Your kids will be taken to their Sunday Morning Classes at 10:15
Please leave all bags outside of your Child’s Sunday Morning Classroom
Check-in
We take the safety of your children very seriously at DCC.
Please stop by the Children’s Welcome Center and check in your kids on Sunday Mornings.
We want to make sure we have updated information for your family at all times, so please let us know if something changes. On your child’s tag you will see their name, their classroom assignment, any allergies, and a code. This code will be on the parent tag as well. Our teachers will need to see your parent tag upon dismissal if they are not familiar with your family.
Baby Dedications
It is an honor to partner with you as you make the decision to raise your children in the Church. We love to publicly acknowledge this partnership and commitment with a Baby Dedication.
Please reach out to Abby Carter when your family is ready to schedule this special day. We will discuss the details, plans, and all you need to know about this special day for your family.
All families are different. If you have an older child that you would like to celebrate in this way, please let Abby know. We are so thankful for the chance to help you raise your kids in the Lord.
Learning to Serve
Conversations on showing the love of Jesus are my very favorite. Children are always watching and their ability to notice and show the love of Jesus is beautiful.
We provide multiple chances to be the hands and feet of Jesus throughout the year. Please jump in when you can and feel no pressure when you can’t.
If you are aware of a need, project, or situation that calls for attention, feel free to start a conversation about it. We are always looking for more options and ways to teach these children about service.
Middle School Youth Ministry (grades 6-8)
Minister: Christie Beddow
Sunday Mornings
Sunday morning classes are fun, engaging and Bible-based. Classes alternate between textual study and topical studies. Each lesson includes scripture reading, teaching, discussion, and games/activities. The goal of these classes is to draw the middle school students into a deep, lifelong relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Wednesday Evenings
Wednesday night classes are engaging and Bible-based. They start with a time of group prayer and sharing. There are opportunities for students to turn in questions for the group to discuss the next week. The students also have opportunities to teach a short lesson to their fellow students. The goal of these classes is to connect their love of Christ to how they live their lives. We also aim to equip and empower these students to be leaders of the church.
Annual Events
Retreats–Middle school will have at least one retreat a year. Retreats are a time to get away from regular life, social media, and devices to fully focus on the Lord and being with the Body of Christ. These retreats are usually one or two nights somewhere near Nashville. Each retreat has a Bible-based theme. There are games, singing, devotionals, and prayer time. Retreats are a great way for middle schoolers to form strong relationships with one another and with the Lord.
Swim Party–At the beginning of the new school year, middle school gets together to swim, play and have fun together.
Middle School Olympics–Each year, the middle school students are invited to the middle school minister’s house to play fun, silly games complete with Olympic theme song and a medal ceremony.
Other Events–As other events come up, we will do our best to inform you in a timely manner so you can plan to join us.
Expectations
Middle school students are expected to bring their Bibles to every class. When they bring their Bible 10 times in a row, they will get a prize (candy, drink, ice cream). If they bring their Bibles 100 times in a row, they will receive $100.
Middle school students are expected to try to learn their memory verses. We have an annual ice cream party where everyone gets ice cream, but each student gets a topping for every verse they have memorized.
Our Aim
The aim of the middle school ministry at Donelson Church of Christ is to partner with families to guide students as they find their identity as a child of God and become strong disciples of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.
High School Youth Ministry (grades 9-12)
Minister: Craig Thomas
Sunday Morning Classes
Sunday Morning Classes
Our classes through the year will be split into four terms. Two will be a study walking through a book of the Bible. The other two will follow a theme or topic that will aid in leadership development and current conversations in our culture today. The heart and intention of these classes is to grow in our understanding of being loved by God.
Wednesday Evening Classes
In the middle of the week this time together is divided into a time of fellowship to give students a break from the busy week and the second half is a dynamic class with a focus on practicality. Some examples of what this class time consist of are studies on how we walk daily as a Christian as taught by the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), learning to pray and helping students find a way to commune with God, and Question & Response time (Q&R), where students can ask whatever question they want whether it is what they are struggling with, excited to learn about or things that just don’t make sense. It is a time we all listen and talk together through the questions we have.
Coaches
Each graduating class has “Coaches”. This consists of a male and female duo (typically husband and wife) to be mentors and friends. The Coaching method provides each student with a few more people to pour into, love, and encourage them. These people will be a team of support for your child to lean on through their High School years and beyond.
Our Aim
To walk side by side with Students and Christ as a response to the invitation to be a unified community as disciples of The Lord Jesus Christ. In holding all things before God, the emotional, physical and spiritual safety is priority, so that each student can be supported and loved in their walk with Christ individually and collectively.
Our Annual Events
(Summer)
Colorado trip: 10-day trip to Colorado learning to connect with God in His creation and learning outdoor survival skills through team-building exercises.
DCC Camp: a Sunday-Friday Bible camp that is focused on growing closer to God, Church and visitors.
Mission Trip: Rotating through different years we will go to Honduras, Africa, DCC missionaries and domestic sites to serve.
(Retreats)
We will have weekend-long (Friday-Sunday) Fall, Winter, and Spring retreats to give students a chance to have a break from the hectic events of school and life. Multiple are offered in hopes that students can make at least 2/3 around their extracurricular activities.
(Other)
Throughout the year on Sunday evenings, families will host the HS youth for times of fellowship, worship, and short devotionals. We will have Sunday evening worship nights focused on Praise and Prayer and Saturday Fun Days to spend time together as family in Christ.
We will also have several extra gatherings throughout the year.
Additional Family Ministry Information
Prayer
We want to cover your family in prayer. We have people praying for your kids daily. Please let us know if you have specific situations, we can be in prayer about.
We have people that are available to join you in prayer on Sunday Mornings. Please let me know if you are interested in this.
Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Romans 8:26
Baptism
Baptism is such a wonderful decision that we want to celebrate with your family. We are here to help you throughout the process. We have a special study that we encourage kids and parents to walk through together as conversations about Baptism arise. Please reach out if your child has started to question Baptism and what that means. We want to equip your families with some different ways to plan for this special time with your child.
We celebrate with you and rejoice in this big decision.
Volunteering
Without our teachers and coaches, our programs simply would not exist. We are a team and that requires helping when you can. Please reach out to if you would like more information about getting involved with Children, Middle School, or High School Youth
Here are the needs that we have:
- Clubhouse Helpers
- Nursery Helpers
- Substitute Teachers
Mental Health
It is important to us to be aware of anything that may affect your child’s ability to participate, connect, and fully engage within our DCC programs. We are here to fully support you and help you navigate situations that are beyond your control.
Our partnership with Lantern Lane Counseling Center allows for aid in getting your child additional support. Please reach out and we will get this process started.