Helping Kids Navigate Divorce

WAKE FOREST, N.C.—Churches across the nation are reaching out and helping children whose parents are separated or divorced. The DivorceCare for Kids weekly, lay-driven ministry program is having a powerful effect on children and their parents, but what may be surprising is the impact it has on the church itself.

Greg Stanford, children's minister at Tenth & Broad Church of Christ in Wichita Falls, Texas, has observed church members becoming more proactive in wanting to help families outside the church. "The greatest fruit I have seen at our church from DivorceCare for Kids is a new awareness and new compassion for divorced families, not only in our church but in our community."

DivorceCare for Kids has been found to grow churches, introduce people to Christ, help decrease behavior issues and lessen staff counseling loads.

The number of children attending the program from outside the church excites church leaders because when children come to church, their parents come too. "We average eight children, and none of them belong to our church," explained Ross, a DivorceCare for Kids lay leader in Grand Blanc, Mich.

As more people attend the church, more hear the Gospel message. Every child in DivorceCare for Kids learns about Christ's love through the modeling of group leaders, scripture songs, games, prayers and activity books. "Children come to Christ, and parents come to Christ as a result of their children," said Glenn Bosworth, who leads the ministry at Davisville Church in Southampton, Pa.

Sunday school teachers and children's ministers have reported fewer disruptions and behavior issues by children who struggled previously, but who now attend DivorceCare for Kids. And parents have reported that, after their children participate in DivorceCare for Kids, their children do better in school, communicate better and express their emotions in a healthier manner.

Pastors and church staff who often struggle to meet the many needs in a church body on their own are thankful for this lay-led program. Stanford praises the comprehensive, yet easy-to-use training materials and lessons. "We have team members that are teachers, some are bankers, some are firemen,” Stanford said. “All of our team members have been able to pick up a lesson plan, read through it and lead the session without any problems."

For information about starting a DivorceCare for Kids ministry, click here or call 800-489-7778.