Website Summary
CHMN 301
Foundation of NextGen Ministry
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Submitted to Dr. Steve Vandergriff
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
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Introduction
The Just a Phase blog is an excellent resource for ministry leaders and parents devoted to
investing in their children at every phase of life. It is described as "a collaborative, ongoing,
effort assembling classic and innovative research, with practical application."1 Parents and
leaders can use this blog to research critical stages in their children's lives as they endeavor to
raise their children biblically. Children's ministry and youth leaders work to instill the message of
the Gospel in young people's lives, but it's challenging to relate to their ever-changing
generation. To be successful at relaying the message of God's love and forgiveness, parents and
ministry leaders must equip themselves with the proper knowledge of each phase of life before
instilling the truth in that child or student.
Summary
Just a Phase was founded by Reggie Joiner and Kristen Ivy in 2015 when they wrote
their parenting book, It's Just a Phase So Don't Miss It. Reggie is the founder and CEO of the
Orange next-generation church curriculum. Orange currently partners with 8,000 churches and
has changed the way churches equip leaders, students, and children.2 Kristen Ivy is the executive
director of messaging and helped develop the elementary, middle school, and high school
curriculums for Orange.3 The blog features the life stages of preschool, elementary, middle
school, and high school. Together, Reggie and Kristen created this blog to describe what's
1
Joiner, Reggie, and Kristen Ivy. 2015. “Phase Project.” Just A Phase. 2015. https://justaphase.com/phase-
project/.
2 Joiner, Reggie. 2021. “About.” Reggie Joiner. 2021. https://www.reggiejoiner.com/about.
3 Ivy, Kristen, and Reggie Joiner. 2015. “About Kristen Ivy.” Just A Phase. 2015.
https://justaphase.com/kristen-ivy/.
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important about each phase of life, how to help children through it, and how to connect
everything to Jesus.
The preschool and elementary phases of life are crucial to the foundation of a child's
journey with their Christian faith. The blog has a beneficial article called "6 Ways to Embrace the
Physical Needs of a Toddler." Preschoolers have the physical needs of independence, affection,
rest, and wide open spaces.4 When leaders know how to manage these needs, preschoolers will
thrive in the ministry. Repeating useful phrases, cuddling, and offering toys and outside play that
builds motor skills are three ways to allow your preschooler to grow.5 Babies and toddlers both
require reassurance and encouragement, so frequently saying: "I love you!" and "You can do it!"
will help them thrive with confidence. The love parents and leaders show their preschoolers can
also be connected back to Jesus and His love for us, and that's what it's all about.
Elementary kids face entirely different challenges through this next phase of life. For
example, one of the featured articles in the elementary section of the blog talks about the crisis of
friendship. The blog suggests building self-confidence, so they find their identity in "who God
made them to be. Not in what they can do, or who thinks they’re cool."6 This is a fantastic piece
of advice since children are struggling with their identity in a myriad of different ways in the
current culture. Creating safe environments for kids to open up about their experiences will build
trust between leaders and parents. When we respond with grace, patience and remember how to
handle their phase of life, we can be sure to help them cope with what they're encountering.
4
Ivy, Kristen. n.d. “6 Ways To Embrace The Physical Needs of a Toddler.” Just A Phase (blog).
https://justaphase.com/6-ways-to-embrace-the-physical-needs-of-a-toddler/.
5 Ibid.
6 Scott, Dan. 2020. “How to Help Elementary Schoolers Develop Friends.” Just A Phase (blog). 2020.
https://justaphase.com/help-elementary-schoolers-develop-friends/.
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The preschool and elementary sections of the blog were educational and helpful for those
who care about these phases of life. All of the articles cover different topics and always give tips
for applying the advice practically. The website is organized well, propitious, and accomplishes
the mission of Orange.
Personal Response
I'm currently a preschool ministry director at a church in FL, so I know this website very
well. I use the Orange curriculum for my ministry and appreciate their approach to biblical
teaching for toddlers and preschoolers. I recommend this site and all of the phase books to the
parents who attend our church. When our preschoolers move into the elementary ministry, I
always give their parents the Parenting Your Kindergartener Phase book from Orange. It does a
marvelous job of reminding parents how precious and numbered the days they have with their
children are.
The most valuable ministry resources this blog and Orange offers are the parent
resources. I've tried many curriculums, but nothing compares to how well Orange assists
churches in equipping and training parents so the conversations about Jesus continue at home. I
also would agree that repeating useful phrases is a beneficial practice for preschoolers. Every
week we repeat a basic truth about God and pray that our preschoolers know it and can
remember their Bible verse by the end of the month. I firmly believe that parents and leaders
alike can immensely benefit from this blog and all the Phase books Orange offers.
Conclusion
Just A Phase responds to the parents and ministry leaders who want more for their
children. It prepares them for each distinct phase of a child's development from a biblical
worldview. Children crave attention, and this blog assists in teaching about why children do
Bibliography
Ivy, Kristen. n.d. “6 Ways To Embrace The Physical Needs of a Toddler.” Just A Phase (blog).
https://justaphase.com/6-ways-to-embrace-the-physical-needs-of-a-toddler/.
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specific things or providing tips on how to help them with life's hurdles. Therefore, it's essential
that our churches and parents be prepared to shepherd them in the way of the Lord and not of the
world.
6
Ivy, Kristen, and Reggie Joiner. 2015. “About Kristen Ivy.” Just A Phase. 2015.
https://justaphase.com/kristen-ivy/.
———. 2015. “Phase Project.” Just A Phase. 2015. https://justaphase.com/phase-project/.
Joiner, Reggie. 2021. “About.” Reggie Joiner. 2021. https://www.reggiejoiner.com/about.
Scott, Dan. 2020. “How to Help Elementary Schoolers Develop Friends.” Just A Phase (blog).
2020. https://justaphase.com/help-elementary-schoolers-develop-friends/.
