THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THEOLOGICAL AND MINISTERIAL INSTITUTIONS TO CHILDREN’S MINISTRY; COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AND MINISTRY IN GHANA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY COLLEGE AND CHRISTIAN SERVICE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, KUMASI.

Abstract

Children’s ministry is an area of paramount importance to Christian ministry. This is because children are the future and the heritage of Christianity. A church without children is futureless. Children are the progression of Christ’s ministry with the church. In spite of the necessity of children in Christianity, the church, theological and ministerial training institutions are still silent and inactive about their impact in children’s ministry. The main aim of this study is to find the underlying theological and biblical factors that orient and equip ministers to holistically minister to both children as best as adults. The specific objectives are: to examine the place and theological justification of children’s ministry in theological and ministerial training Institutions; to find out the contributions of children’s ministry to Christian ministry that theological and ministerial institutions can build on; to explore appropriate strategies that will increase the involvement of theological and ministerial training institutions so as to enhance effective ministry to children. Related literature is reviewed. The study adopts the Phenomenological research design. The sample population comprised students of School of Theology and Ministry (STM) Abuakwa and Christian Service University College (CSUC) all in Kumasi. A sample size of hundred and four was used for the study. The purposive sampling technique was adopted. The data was collected through interviews and structured questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using tables. Some findings made included: the theological institutions which are more academical and ministerial Institutions which are more ministry focus have little to equip students to effectively minister to children as best as adults. Close to hundred percent of respondents recommended that children’s ministry should be a course in the theological and ministerial training institutions.