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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Involve children in ministry 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116033  Involve children in ministry 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Christian Theology and Ministry 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 07 - Human and Social Studies Religious and Ethical Foundations of Society 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  12 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2007-08-07  2010-08-07  SAQA 0160/05 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2011-08-07   2014-08-07  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful to people who interact with children or intend to interact with children in the context of a church or Christian ministry.
People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Understand and appreciate children's ministry,
  • Develop positive relationships with children,
  • Help children grow in christian maturity,
  • Involve children in the ministry of a local church,
  • Mobilise a local church to care for children in a community
  • Provide pastoral care to emotionally wounded children. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • Christian Theology level 5 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The following scope and context applies to the whole unit standard:
  • Children are regarded as people before 14 years of age.
  • Ministry refers to all the activities of the church (including non-aligned Christian organisations) that serve the purpose of the church, that is to bear testimony to the Kingdom of God.
  • Assessment for this unit standard is based on the assumption that the learner would have regular direct contact with children.

    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Understand and appreciate children's ministry. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Understanding of the uniqueness of children is demonstrated 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Uniqueness refers to qualities, abilities, attitudes, interests, preferences, communication patterns, etc. that sets children apart from other age groups, but also to the value and significance of children.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Modern trends in society and the challenges it poses to children's ministry are explained 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Biblical data concerning children and children's ministry is dealt with responsibly 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Responsibly means that accepted bibliological and hermeneutical standards are applied in reading and interpreting Biblical data
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Contemporary approaches to children's ministry are critically evaluated 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    An own understanding of children's ministry is convincingly communicated 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Communication in oral or written form
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    A commitment to allow children to take their rightful place in ministry is demonstrated 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Develop positive relationships with children. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Positive' refers to relationships that enhances growth in all involved and are experienced as good by all. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The ability to effectively enter the lives of children is demonstrated 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Enter the lives' refers to the process in which the learner learns to understand, communicate and operate within the framework of the children
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The ability to communicate with children of different age groups on their level is demonstrated 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Verbal and non-verbal communication, including listening and talking.
  • At least three age groups: 2-5, 6-10, 11-14 years
  • Effectiveness of communication evaluated according to accepted communication standards
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Skills are mastered and applied to facilitate the establishment of positive relationships with children 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Skills such as: Play, storytelling, use of music, expression of love and respect, setting boundaries, etc
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Adaptability, creativity and spontaneity are demonstrated in interaction with children 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Positive reaction to and participation of children in relationships with learner is reported 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Positive experience as reported by observer or expressed by children and learner
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Help children to grow in Christian maturity. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Christian maturity refers to a position where a person is in healthy relationships with God, self, other people and the environment. Growth in maturity is an on-going process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Different approaches to faith formation in children are critically evaluated 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A program is designed and presented to children in a ministry setting 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Program refers to a planned set of activities that involves a specific group of children in a specific context.
  • A program is normally between 10 and 90 minutes.
  • A ministry setting is a context with the express aim to serve the purpose of the church
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The Bible is used effectively with children 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Using the Bible includes guiding children to become familiar with the book, effectively reading and narrating the Bible, memorising Scripture, applying the Bible to the children's lives, etc
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Children are involved meaningfully in a ministry program 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Children take actively part in the activities
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Various ministry aids and techniques are critically evaluated and effectively used in a children's ministry program 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Aids such as rituals and symbols, pictures, videos, puppetry, music, movement, drama, etc
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Processes to help children respond to the love of God are facilitated 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Respond' refers to the mental, emotional and physical ways in which the child reacts to the love of God, including a basic understanding of his purposes, acceptance of his invitations, ongoing submission to his will and joyful living in active fellowship with him and other believers
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The responses of children to the various presentations are evaluated and reported 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Involve children in the ministry of a local Church. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Local church refers to a locally organised body of believers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Biblical data concerning church and the place of children therein is dealt with responsibly 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Responsibly means that accepted bibliological and hermeneutical standards are applied in reading and interpreting Biblical data.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Different ways in which children can be involved in the ministry of the church are described 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The main design of an own children's ministry model is communicated convincingly 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The main design includes aspects such as theological framework, vision, areas of focus, basic organisational structure, strategy, main role players, etc., but exclude details such as names, numbers, precise planning, timeframes, etc
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Practical guideline on how to minister to children in different contexts are communicated 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Contexts refer to settings or places where children can be ministered to, for example the home, school, church, community, market place, sports field, internet, etc
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    A strategy to mobilize a local church is explained 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Mobilise a local church to care for children in a community. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Community refers to a group of people sharing a common geographical living area and/or a common identity or purpose. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Understanding of the general needs of children is demonstrated 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    General needs refers to the difficulties that children experience because of their childhood, but also to basic human needs
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Different models of community based children's ministry are described and evaluated. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Community based children's ministry is Christian ministry that operates mainly in the context of a local community. It typically has an open, inclusive character and involvement of the community on all levels is encouraged
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A particular community is assessed in terms of the needs of the children 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Needs include physical, social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual needs
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    An effective strategy for the local church's involvement with children in the community is developed 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Report is given of practical involvement in a community based children's ministry project 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Practical involvement means joining in activities of the project for a period of time
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Provide pastoral care to emotionally wounded children. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Wounded children' refers to children that have been spiritually, emotionally and relationally hurt because of exposure to one or more traumatic incidents.
  • Pastoral care refers to the activity of the church that helps people who are spiritually, emotionally and relationally broken to heal. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concept emotionally wounded children is explained 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The effect of trauma is described in terms of common reactions and symptoms 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Common reactions include physical (somatic), emotional, mental and relational reactions.
  • Symptoms refer to the typical symptoms associated with Post-Traumatic Stress
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    General principles are applied to facilitate the development of a healing relationship with wounded children 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    General principles refer to the characteristics of therapeutic relationships, e.g. understanding, sincerity and unconditional acceptance
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Competence in applying active listening skills is demonstrated. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Active listening includes the skill to avoid unhelpful responses, to reflect the contents of the counselee's communication accurately, to correctly identify emotions in it, and to include the identified emotion in the pastoral response, so as to demonstrate understanding.
  • Demonstration in simulated or real-life setting
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Play and storytelling is employed to facilitate the healing process with a wounded child 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Play includes allowing the child to express himself through drawing, clay, toys, etc.
  • Storytelling includes Bible stories, therapeutic stories, real life stories, etc
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Ways in which a community of believers can provide pastoral care to children are described 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Providers of learning towards this unit standard will need to meet the accreditation requirements of the HWSETA.

    Moderation Option:

    The moderation requirements of the HWSETA must be met in order to award credit to learners for this unit standard. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The following essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate's performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard.
  • Aspects of Communication, including public address and listening skills
  • Aspects of Observation and interpretation of data
  • Understanding children
  • Hermeneutics
  • Basic theology and Bible knowledge 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems:

    Evident in the following specific outcome and assessment criteria:

    Develop positive relationships with children
  • Selecting and using aids
  • Designing a model
  • Identify effects of trauma 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others and in teams

    Evident in the following specific outcome and assessment criteria:
    Develop positive relationships with children.
  • Healing relationships 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively:

    Evident in the following assessment criteria:
  • Biblical data concerning children and children's ministry is dealt with responsibly
  • A program is designed and presented to children in a ministry setting
  • Biblical data concerning church and the place of children therein is dealt with responsibly 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information:

    Evident in the following specific outcome:
  • Understand and appreciate children's ministry

    Evident in the following assessment criteria:

    Positive reaction to and participation of children in relationships with learner is reported
  • Different approaches to faith formation in children are critically evaluated
  • Understanding of the general needs of children is demonstrated
  • Different models of community based children's ministry are described and evaluated
  • A particular community is assessed in terms of the needs of the children 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills:

    Communicating convincingly
    Evident in the following assessment criteria:
  • An own understanding of children's ministry is convincingly communicated
  • Different ways in which children can be involved in the ministry of the church are described
  • The main design of an own children's ministry model is communicated convincingly
  • Practical guideline on how to minister to children in different contexts are communicated
  • A strategy to mobilize a local church is explained
  • Different models of community based children's ministry are described and evaluated

    Communicate with children
  • The ability to communicate with children of different age groups on their level is demonstrated

    Active listening
  • Various ministry aids and techniques are critically evaluated and effectively used in a children's ministry program
  • Competence in applying active listening skills is demonstrated 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically:

    Evident in the following assessment criteria:

    Bibliology and Hermeneutics
  • Biblical data concerning children and children's ministry is dealt with responsibly

    Using teaching aids
  • Various ministry aids and techniques are critically evaluated and effectively used in a children's ministry program 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Understand the world as a set of inter-related parts of a system:

    Evident in the following assessment criteria:
  • Understanding of the uniqueness of children is demonstrated
  • Modern trends in society and the challenges it poses to children's ministry are explained
  • Contemporary approaches to children's ministry are critically evaluated 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contribute to the full development of oneself

    Evident in the following specific outcome:
    Develop positive relationshipswith children

    Evident in the following assessment criteria:
    Discover effects of trauma is described in terms of common reactions and symptoms. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  48917   National Diploma: Theology and Ministry  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Elective  62609   National Diploma: Theology and Ministry  Level 6  NQF Level 06  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.