Character Building Ideas
for Faith Communities

1. Use message board (marquee) to promote character themes.
2. Center messages on "Golden Rule".
3. Have children come to front during main service for a special message on theme.
4. Network leaders of children's, youth and young adult ministries in getting out the message.
5. Have a monthly or quarterly "Character Day of Worship" within your denomination.
6. Invite a guest from the Character Education Task Force to briefly speak (3 - 5 minutes) on the themes.
7. Involve minister of music in developing the theme through hymn selection and special music by choir.
8. Use bulletin boards, especially in education building area, to promote themes.
9. Have children and youth put themes into action through a special event such as a parents' night banquet (respect) or doing a service project for the church/religious group (citizenship).
10. Have youth give their testimony on how good character qualities have had a positive effect in their lives.
11. Have a special rally to celebrate the rewards of good character.
12. Invite news media to special events.
13. Include a "Character" insert in your bulletin.
14. Encourage religious bookstores to feature books about character.
15. Develop Public Service Announcements and share them with local stations.
16. Distribute "Celebrate Character" ribbons or buttons for children observed displaying one of the Character Concepts.
17. Have a costume day at church/worship with teachers and children dressed as religious heroes who exhibited good character.
18. Have an education forum for teachers to help them develop lesson plans for character-related lessons.
19. Have a "Festival of Cultures" as a dinner-on-the-grounds after worship service.
20. Adopt a school and send speakers to discuss one of the eight character concepts.
21. Develop a positive parenting class for young adults.
22. Provide mentors for "at-risk" students in the schools to model good character.
23. Reinforce the need for a good education.
24. Hold religious festivals to share, similar to multicultural festivals.
25. Meet with different religious groups on a monthly basis to improve communication and share information/ideas/activities.
26. Establish church/school partnerships.
27. Provide "mentors" for the students of Cumberland County.
28. Host parent workshops on character education.
29. Designate one day of worship per month in Cumberland County for the clergy to address the Character Concepts in their sermons.
30. Encourage church members to volunteer in schools.
31. Serve as guest speakers in classrooms and schools.
32. Establish outreach programs for youth to visit rest homes.
33. Develop strong youth ministry (after school clubs, weekend retreats, tutoring, mentoring, step classes, school partnerships, summer camps, "Big Brother/Big Sister" programs).
34. Provide community activities to recruit youth and families.
35. Implement recognition programs to promote positive behavior.
36. Organize support system for specific causes - food, shelter, medical needs, etc.
37. Meet with all faiths to work toward a common cause.
38. Encourage church leaders to be motivational speakers.
39. Incorporate tolerance of other religions within the teaching of your own faith.
40. Develop a coalition to share sites and programs promoting character education such as service projects.
41. Implement youth character education groups.
42. Establish recognition programs for those who display good character.