1. © 2005 Augsburg Fortress. For local use only. All rights reserved. Birth to Three Ministry: Q & A This presentation developed for your congregation compliments of Augsburg Fortress www.augsburgfortress.org/splash

2. © 2005 Augsburg Fortress. For local use only. All rights reserved. Birth to Three Ministry Why Why Who Who When When Where Where What What How How

3. © 2005 Augsburg Fortress. For local use only. All rights reserved. Birth to Three Ministry: Why? The Bible tells me so The Bible tells me so Evangelism Evangelism Research findings Research findings Corporate response Corporate response

4. © 2005 Augsburg Fortress. For local use only. All rights reserved. Why? The Bible tells me so Deuteronomy 6:4-7 Deuteronomy 6:4-7 Luke 18:15-17 Luke 18:15-17 Mark 10:13-16 Mark 10:13-16 Luke 17:1-2 Luke 17:1-2

5. © 2005 Augsburg Fortress. For local use only. All rights reserved. Why? Evangelism Does this sound familiar? Does this sound familiar? Baby is born or adopted Baby is born or adopted Parents return to church for baptism Parents return to church for baptism Child reappears for Sunday school (maybe) Child reappears for Sunday school (maybe) Connecting with young children connects you with families Connecting with young children connects you with families

6. © 2005 Augsburg Fortress. For local use only. All rights reserved. Why? Research findings Findings from neuroscience and psychology Findings from neuroscience and psychology Birth to three is a time of amazing brain development Birth to three is a time of amazing brain development Experience affects brain connections Experience affects brain connections Development occurs in many areas: physical, perceptual, cognitive, emotional, social, spiritual Development occurs in many areas: physical, perceptual, cognitive, emotional, social, spiritual

7. © 2005 Augsburg Fortress. For local use only. All rights reserved. Why? Corporate Response Toys Toys Videos Videos Restaurants Restaurants Furnishings Furnishings Automobiles Automobiles

8. © 2005 Augsburg Fortress. For local use only. All rights reserved. Birth to Three Ministry: Who? Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers Parents Parents Grandparents Grandparents Other members of the church community Other members of the church community

9. © 2005 Augsburg Fortress. For local use only. All rights reserved. Birth to Three Ministry: When? Prenatally/during the adoption process Prenatally/during the adoption process At birth/adoption At birth/adoption At Baptism At Baptism During infancy During infancy During the toddler years During the toddler years

10. © 2005 Augsburg Fortress. For local use only. All rights reserved. Birth to Three Ministry: Where? At church At church During worship During worship In the nursery In the nursery During education time During education time Special classes Special classes At home At home Everyday at-home activities Everyday at-home activities In the car In the car

11. © 2005 Augsburg Fortress. For local use only. All rights reserved. Birth to Three Ministry: What? Prayer support Prayer support Church nursery Church nursery Programming: support groups, parent education, faith formation Programming: support groups, parent education, faith formation Print materials: Splash! Packs Print materials: Splash! Packs Gifts: baptismal gifts, faith chest Gifts: baptismal gifts, faith chest Worship Worship

12. © 2005 Augsburg Fortress. For local use only. All rights reserved. Birth to Three Ministry: How? Prayer Prayer Leadership: staff members, volunteers Leadership: staff members, volunteers Vision: what should it look like? Vision: what should it look like? Visibility: banners, photos, new member materials Visibility: banners, photos, new member materials Sponsorship by grandparents, other families Sponsorship by grandparents, other families