I am the Executive Director of Cadets, so you may take my comments with that in mind.
Finding "volunteers" who feel called to serve with the boys and girls can be a challenge, so I understand the benefits of finding ways to reduce the number of needed leaders and counselors by combining the groups.
It is obvious that the children "can" learn and grow in a mixed gender environment. Most churches don't separate into male and female groups for Sunday School, and we no longer require the men and women to sit on opposite sides of the sanctuary. But just because we can, doesn't mean we should do so in all areas of raising our children. The Cadet ministry fills a special place by allowing boys to be boys, and learn from Christian men what it means to be "Living For Jesus." Having led groups of seven year olds and of thirteen year olds, Bible discussion time is much different when there are no females in the room.
In my current church, the Cadets and GEMS spend time together at the beginning of the evening with songs and prayer, then we split into different groups. We celebrated GEMS/Cadets Sunday together. We raced our derby cars together. Yet we are still two distinct groups.
If your church does decide to combine your children's ministry into a mixed gender group, I respectfully ask that you not use the name Cadets or GEMS, as you really aren't following the mission of either one. The mission statement for Cadet counselors is "Helping boys grow more Christlike in all areas of life." Over the last few years our organizational constitution has been clarified, specifying that the ministry is for boys and the leaders are to be men.
There are customizable flyers available through the Cadet office. These have information about your specific program (location, time, ages, contact info) on one side and information about the program (including Junior Cadets, Recruit•Pathfinder•Builder, Guide Trails as appropriate) and the Calvinist Cadet Corps on the reverse.
There are also postcards, ideal for mailing, that are customized with the details regarding your specific program.
Both of these products are also available in Spanish.
To order, or for more details, contact the Cadet office in Grand Rapids, 616-241-5616, [email protected]
Living for Jesus,
Steve Bootsma, Executive Director, Calvinist Cadet Corps
Posted in: Anybody Combine Gems & Cadets Into One Group?
Hello,
I am the Executive Director of Cadets, so you may take my comments with that in mind.
Finding "volunteers" who feel called to serve with the boys and girls can be a challenge, so I understand the benefits of finding ways to reduce the number of needed leaders and counselors by combining the groups.
It is obvious that the children "can" learn and grow in a mixed gender environment. Most churches don't separate into male and female groups for Sunday School, and we no longer require the men and women to sit on opposite sides of the sanctuary. But just because we can, doesn't mean we should do so in all areas of raising our children. The Cadet ministry fills a special place by allowing boys to be boys, and learn from Christian men what it means to be "Living For Jesus." Having led groups of seven year olds and of thirteen year olds, Bible discussion time is much different when there are no females in the room.
In my current church, the Cadets and GEMS spend time together at the beginning of the evening with songs and prayer, then we split into different groups. We celebrated GEMS/Cadets Sunday together. We raced our derby cars together. Yet we are still two distinct groups.
If your church does decide to combine your children's ministry into a mixed gender group, I respectfully ask that you not use the name Cadets or GEMS, as you really aren't following the mission of either one. The mission statement for Cadet counselors is "Helping boys grow more Christlike in all areas of life." Over the last few years our organizational constitution has been clarified, specifying that the ministry is for boys and the leaders are to be men.
Steve Bootsma
Executive Director, Calvinist Cadet Corps
[email protected]
Posted in: Information Packet for Cadets?
Hello,
There are customizable flyers available through the Cadet office. These have information about your specific program (location, time, ages, contact info) on one side and information about the program (including Junior Cadets, Recruit•Pathfinder•Builder, Guide Trails as appropriate) and the Calvinist Cadet Corps on the reverse.
There are also postcards, ideal for mailing, that are customized with the details regarding your specific program.
Both of these products are also available in Spanish.
To order, or for more details, contact the Cadet office in Grand Rapids, 616-241-5616, [email protected]
Living for Jesus,
Steve Bootsma, Executive Director, Calvinist Cadet Corps