CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: VISION AND STRATEGY

Children’s ministry in the way of Jesus

(David M Csinos and Ivy Beckwith, Intervarsity Press)

2016 conference recommendation by Terry Williams & Alan Charter and Sharon Prior

Attract kids to church, the logic often goes, and you get parents in the pews. All that’s left is to get the kids out of the way. Here children’s ministers David Csinos and Ivy Beckwith draw on research in human development and spiritual formation to show how children become disciples and churches become centers of lifelong discipleship. For too long the church has focused primarily on programmes for children rather than ways of doing ministry with children. But in the light of emerging missional movements, the church is changing and forming a new kind of ecclesial culture and children’s ministry must follow suit.

You lost me

(David Kinnerman, Baker)

2016 conference recommendation by Terry Williams & Alan Charter

In the US, close to 60 percent of young people who went to church as teens drop out after high school. Where Kinnaman’s first book ‘unChristian’ showed the world what outsiders aged 16-29 think of Christianity, You Lost Me shows why younger Christians aged 16-29 are leaving the church and rethinking their faith. Based on new research, it shows church leaders and parents how we have failed to equip young people to live in but not of the world and how this has serious long-term consequences. More importantly, Kinnaman offers ideas on how to help young people develop and maintain a vibrant faith that they embrace over a lifetime.

Josiah generation

(Olly Goldenberg, River)

2016, 2015 & 2014 conference recommendation by Olly Goldenberg

2013 conference recommendation by Nick Jackson

This book identifies the unique calling and characteristics of the rising generation. Olly Goldenberg points to a growing revolution in children’s ministry, where children are not seen merely as the potential leaders of the Church of tomorrow, but as a vital, relevant part of the Church’s ministry now. Examining the life of Josiah – who became king of Judah while still a boy – and recounting powerful real life testimonies, this book aims to help prepare the Church to expect great things from this rising generation. They have a call on them to do amazing things for God and to shape the culture of revival.

One generation from extinction

(Mark Griffiths, Monarch)

2016 & 2015 conference recommendation by Sarah Smart

2013 conference recommendation by Jo Squires

2012 conference recommendation by Maggie Barfield

2011 conference recommendation by Ali Campbell

When Robert Raikes started his first Sunday School in 1780, he saw his idea grow to reach 300,000 unchurched children within five years – this in a nation widely ignorant of Christian ideas and values. Mark Griffiths has used Raikes’ pioneering work in examining child evangelism in the UK. Working from extensive local and national research (leading to a PhD), he considers how children ‘tick’, what basic theology is at work in Christian outreach, and what constitutes best practice in child evangelism. His text is studded with insights and observations, and brings together the author’s passion for his subject with the rigour of careful research.

Sue says: a challenging book that may make you reassess your outreach programme.

Mission shaped children

(Margaret Withers, CHP)

2016 conference recommendation by Sharon Prior

2012 conference recommendation by Nick Shepherd

Too often, nurture and worship for children is about containing and entertaining, rather than engaging with and growing young Christians who can give as much as they receive. This book explores: how the dramatic cultural, social and economic trends of recent years have impacted on children’s lives and how this affects the Church; developments in how the Church has nurtured children in the past 100 years; the many and varied opportunities there are to help children to experience Church and some of the challenges this presents for those working with children; and how the Church can shape itself around children and young people, rather than expecting them to fit in with the Church. With many real life case studies, practical examples and questions for discussion.

Raising children in a digital age

(Bex Lewis, Lion Hudson)

2015 conference recommendation by Maggie Barfield & Terry Clutterham

Twitter, Facebook, blogging, chat rooms, email, the internet and beyond – for most parents, teachers and children’s & youth workers, getting to grips with new technology is a bit of a challenge. But keeping children safe is a much bigger one. As technology changes, and young people grasp it faster than the older generations do, it can be a real struggle to know what to do to help, equip and defend. Dr Bex Lewis is an expert in new technology. She knows how it works, what to do and where to go for the latest information. It is rarely possible to keep young people away from new technology, nor is it wise. This book will help you to give young people the equipment they need to get the best out of new technology and to avoid the dangers.

Postmodern children’s ministry

(Ivy Beckwith, Zondervan)

2015 conference recommendation by Ian White and Terry Clutterham

2013 conference recommendation by Terry Clutterham

2011 conference recommendation by Mary Hawes

This practical, thought-provoking book presents a new paradigm for children’s ministry in the emerging 21st century and explores how churches are currently putting that vision into practice. Advocating the need to regard children as full participants in their faith communities, the book provides strategies for building intergenerational community where children feel they belong and have the opportunity to serve.

Getting your kids through church

(Rob Parsons, Lion Hudson)

2014 conference recommendation by Krish Kandiah and Colin Bennett

Rob identifies five traits which can quench faith in a child: busyness, cynicism, hypocrisy, judgementalism and over-familiarity. He teaches that disappointment is an inevitable part of growing up. There will come a time when they are disappointed with Christians, the Church, themselves and even God. We should teach our children how to love God even when things fall apart. Do not hide your children from the world: instead, help them to discriminate. Above all, provide them with a vision or what they can be and can achieve.

Making your children’s ministry the best hour of your kid’s week

(Miller and Staal, Zondervan)

2014 conference recommendation by Jo Fahy

Using examples from Willow Creek’s highly successful children’s ministry and other US churches of all sizes, this book provides guidance and creative application exercises to help churches develop a thriving children’s ministry—one that strives to be the best hour of every kid’s week. Included are four ministry foundations: Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategy.

Sowing, reaping, keeping

(Laurence Singlehurst, Intervarsity Press)

2014 & 2013 conference recommendation by Alison Clark & Claire Wells

What is evangelism? Laurence Singlehurst defines it as those who know Jesus, telling those who don’t know Jesus, all about him. Which makes it sound a whole lot less intimidating than we often think it will be. This book will help you tell others about Jesus. It is not full of technical terms and complicated methods but simply explores what it means to sow the seed of faith, to reap the harvest when the seed of faith has taken root and to nurture the faith as it grows.

Children’s ministry that fits

(David M Csinos, Wipf & Stock)

2013 conference recommendation by Mo Baldwin

Drawing from theology, personal experience, and the spiritual lives of children, David M. Csinos offers practical wisdom that will help pastors, parents, and teachers to move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches to children’s ministry and begin nurturing the spiritual lives of children in welcoming and inclusive environments.

Understanding children, understanding God

(Ronnie Lamont, SPCK)

2013 conference recommendation by John Fudge and Ian White

A practical book that outlines thinking on child development and spirituality, and brings them together to propose effective ways to work with children in the church. This book engages with the ideas of Godly Play and uses case histories from the author’s own work fill out a rounded picture.

Too small to ignore

(Wess Stafford, Waterbrook Multnomah)

2012 conference recommendation by Judith Twani

Children are too important and too intensely loved by God to be left behind or left to chance. Children belong to all of us and we are compelled to intervene on their behalf. We must invest in children–all across the world. Dr. Stafford issues an urgent call for change. His adventures as a boy raised in a West African village provide an often-humorous and always-captivating backdrop to his profound and inspiring challenges. Wess lived the reality of “it takes a village to raise a child” and calls us to “be that loving village for children everywhere.”

Formational children’s ministry

(Ivy Beckwith, Baker)

2011 conference recommendation by Mary Hawes

Much ministry to children looks more like mere entertainment than authentic spiritual formation. But what if children’s ministries were rooted in a mind-set whereby we taught children, with our words and actions, how the story of God, the story of church history, the story of the local community, and the story of the child intersect and speak to one another? What if children’s ministry was less about downloading information into kids’ heads and more about leading them into these powerful, compelling stories? This latest book from Ivy Beckwith (published 2010) aims to help us create a ministry that captures children’s imaginations not just to keep them occupied. In addition to providing theological reasons for formational children’s ministry, the book offers examples of how Ivy and other practitioners are implementing a formational model.

Rural children, rural church 

(Rona Orme,CHP)

2011 conference recommendation by Sarah Millar

Children make up nearly 20 per cent of the rural population. This short, accessible book offers practical resources and ideas to help churches build an effective children’s ministry in a rural setting. Rona offers realistic and creative ways of engaging with children in the community by encouraging churches to make the most of opportunities to: share the Church’s year with the community and the community’s year with the Church; reach children and their families at significant rites of passage; and, enable the Church to be a gathering point and contributing partner in the community. Each chapter contains inspiring case studies and thought-provoking questions for discussion.

The fabulous reinvention of Sunday school

(Aaron Reynolds, Zondervan)

2011 conference recommendation by Ed Jones

A guidebook to transformational teaching in children’s ministries of every size and setting. Create excellence for kids through four ministry-rocking values. Unleash fabulous and powerful techniques that lead to unforgettable teaching moments. Consult a veritable handbook of twenty creative methods that bring any Bible story to life. Designed with whimsical quirkiness and written with humour and passion, this book will transform the way you and your kids experience the life-changing potential of Sunday school.

Mega top tips on offering the best children’s ministry

(Paul Butler, Scripture Union)

Full of practical advice and real-life stories to help you offer the best children’s ministry. Includes ideas on how to build great ministry – in churches, in families, in the wider community and in the world, as well as Biblical insights into how we view and treat all children. At 80 pages the Mega Top Tips books go deeper into a topic than the regular Top Tips series.

Top tips on leading small groups 

(Simon Barker and Steve Whyatt, Scripture Union)

Real stories and biblical patterns to inspire leaders of small groups. Practical advice on setting up a

group and keeping it going – in a regular club, a Sunday group, a residential holiday or a holiday club – and guidance on leading a group-time so that all group members can meet with God.

Here to stay?

(Terry Williams, 2016 conference, main stage)

Will the children coming to church activities today still be walking with the Lord in 20 years time?

Delegate rating 9/10

Forming a faithfull generation

(Terry Williams & Alan Charter, 2016 conference)

An exploration of key pillars that may be the basis of life-long faith formation for children in families, churches and communities.

Delegate rating 9/10

Faithfull Generation: join the conversation

(Terry Williams & Alan Charter, 2016 conference)

Following Terry’s main stage talk and his and Alan’s session on Saturday, a time for questions and to engage with the concept going forward.

Delegate rating 9/10

Word and Spirit: striking the right balance

(Heather Thompson, 2016 conference)

Reflecting on the weekend’s sessions. What can you do to allow the Holy Spirit more freedom in your ministry while maintaining a balance with teaching God’s Word?

Delegate rating 9/10

Children’s Ministry and the Missio Dei

DEEPER FOR LEADERS

(Sharon Prior, 2016 conference)

We serve a ‘sending God’. How is God sending the children you minister too into the world? How are you preparing them to go?

Delegate rating 9/10

Developing children as reflective practitioners

(Sharon Prior, 2015 conference)

How can we help children to read their culture and respond to it in a Godly, biblical way? Looking at how we can help children to think for themselves and make good choices when around their friends.

Delegate rating 9/10

Getting kids excited about missions

(Rob & Trudi Parkes, 2015 conference)

Looking at exciting stories about what God is doing worldwide, how to inspire kids to be involved and encouraging them to pray and to go.

Delegate rating 9/10

Mentoring – what’s the point?

(Rebi Crocker, 2015 conference)

Using biblical examples, this session explores how mentoring can revolutionise the lives of the children we minister to, as well as our own. Includes specific application for young leaders.

Delegate rating 7/10

The pros and cons of single sex children’s work

(Sean Clancy & John Meyers, 2015 conference)

Is there still a been for single sex groups? What are the benefits of boys only groups? What do boys gain from a male role model? Plus tips for dads impacting on their sons’ lives.

Delegate rating 7/10

It takes a whole church to raise a child

(Krish Kandiah, 2014 conference main stage session)

Is it time to stop what we are doing with Sunday schools, junior church or youth work? Why age-integration in churches is the future of discipleship and how to get there from here.

Delegate rating 9/10

Missing link: empowering children’s purpose

(Rachel Turner, 2014 conference main stage session)

In a world of hopelessness and apathy, how can we empower children to know that they are powerful and called by God to be purposeful every day of their lives. What does this look like in our churches and communities?

Delegate rating 9/10

Helping children bring heaven to earth

(Heather Thompson, 2014 conference)

Do you long to see children making a difference in their ‘world’? How can they be encouraged to work with God to see His Kingdom Come? Lots of inspirational testimonies and practical ideas.

Delegate rating 9/10

Introduction to pastoral awareness

A Core Skills taster session

(Andrea Harrison, 2014 conference)

Explore pastoral issues involved in working with children and take the opportunity to reflect on how this impacts your ministry.

Delegate rating 9/10

Sticky faith

(Carolyn Edwards and Alex Taylor, 2014 conference)

Opening up some of the latest research into why children and young people stick with their faith, this session explores what we can do to encourage their life-long discipleship.

Delegate rating 9/10

Beyond the Sunday school rota:

how Jesus’ words can revolutionize our practice with children

(Colin Bennett, 2014 conference)

Explore the challenges of Jesus’ words to those who disciple children and young people compared to the idea of simply overseeing a rota.

Delegate rating 8/10

Developing year-round ministry

(Sarah Smart, 2014 conference)

The calendar provides opportunities to reach out to communicate the love of Jesus to children and families in your church and community. Ideas for different times of the year and how to link them, forming year-round outreach opportunities.

Delegate rating 8/10

Innovative children’s work: moving forward

(Jo Fahy, 2014 conference)

We never want to be complacent. Explore some of the challenges of growth, particularly issues around communication, involving parents, relating to non-church families, leadership structure and roles, and multiple services.

Delegate rating 8/10