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Helen Franklin, who works for Scripture Union in north Wales, did some research into midweek groups and how they were being used. She found that people were doing a real mix of clubs: from out-and-out Bible clubs to special interest groups, and clubs designed to meet the needs of children who were not part of a church community.
One of those people Helen talked to was Jean Elliott, who, at the time, was working at The Hothouse in Aldridge, West Midlands. ‘One of the lunchtime clubs (in a church school) was for year two children who were less likely to stay after school for activities,’ she said. ‘The other lunchtime club (in a non-church school) was for Key Stage two children and was Bible reading, mainly for the children who came to the evening activity club we held at the school. I clearly remember one nine or ten year-old boy saying: “This is my church really, isn’t it? I can’t get to one on a Sunday anymore, so this is it.”’
In Flint, north Wales, Wendy Swan, director of schools work at Agathos, spent a year running a lunchtime club at a local primary school. ‘We’d been doing regular assemblies in the school,’ said Wendy, ‘and the children were loving the worship time as a part of that. So we decided to see what response we’d get to a lunchtime club in the same school. We had an 80 per cent turnout from the year five and six pupils in the school! The school was in an area with a lot of social concerns and the kids found the club good for exploring emotional issues. The club created a safe atmosphere for this to happen and the school commented positively on this.
Wendy and the Agathos team had been going into the school for three years before setting up the club, and it was the work done in assemblies and the prayer space that enabled them to set up the lunchtime club. She highlighted how the club came about through consultation with the school and meeting a need it held: ‘We’re keen to work closely with the schools and say “Where can we support you?” and “What do you need?” rather than going into schools and saying “We want to do this!”’
Still in Flint, Lowri Mitton is the children and families officer for the Presbyterian Church of Wales, focusing on the Welsh-speaking community. When setting up clubs in a different school from Wendy, she had some initial interest. But as the club started, many children saw what was going on and wanted to join in! She now runs a lunchtime club for year two children, and an off-site after-school club for years three to six.
Describing the year two club, Lowri said: ‘We play some games, explore a Bible story and do a craft; it takes about 25 minutes. The children are sceptical and incredulous, which I find really interesting! They’ve got a good general knowledge of the Christmas and Easter story, but most of them don’t go to Sunday School, so they’re not that familiar with Bible stories.
Midweek clubs can strengthen existing links between churches and schools, and be places where children meet with God
When they come across something miraculous, they want to know more!’ As Jean, Wendy and Lowri describe, running a Christian club in school can be an exciting step in ministry to a school, but as with other things we have looked at in past issues, it has to come as part of an ongoing relationship with the school. If you talk to a school and they say they would like a basketball, drama or baking club, and you can fill that need, then don’t insist on running a Bible club! These are just as important in helping boost the spiritual life of schools and children as full-on Christian clubs.
Make sure you consider health and safety: is your chosen venue suitable? Are you following food hygiene regulations? Can you safely deliver the children to school (if you’re not running the club on school premises)? Make sure you follow your church’s child protection policy.
What works for a season might only be for a season. Or what a school wants might be something that you can provide, but not what you were hoping to do. Just be patient, courageous and open, and ready to serve.
