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Creating a positive relationship with your local school is so very important, not only in helping children to understand what the Church is about, but also in forging positive connections within the local community. If done well, the relationship between School and Church can be an extremely fruitful and mutually blessing connection. However, it is the “doing it well” that can sometimes be the challenge.

So, to help, we – along with our colleagues in the Children’s Ministry Network – have developed a pack with ideas and guidelines to help you get started.

This guide suggests ways to build and strengthen the relationship between your church and local school(s) by hosting educational visits or services, and offers other suggestions of how to build meaningful connection between the Church and school. Our church buildings and people are a God-given resource and there are many opportunities to use these assets to meet the needs of visiting school groups. No two churches are alike, even within the same denomination. The aim of this guide is to be adaptable to whatever your situation and setting – take from it what fits.

Contents

• Getting started – Building a relationship with your local school
• Connecting with the school curriculum
• Drawing out the significance and meaning of things children will see
• Explaining worship practices in your church
• Other opportunities to use your building to engage with schools
• Conclusion and credits