Formational Children's Ministry: Shaping Children Using Story, Ritual, and Relationship

by Ivy Beckwith

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? Beckwith aims to help ministers and parents create a ministry that captures children's imaginations not just to keep them occupied, but to live as citizens of the kingdom of God. 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.

Genres: Young Adult, Theology

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Allison Wise]

I really liked this book! I had to read it for my class (and now get to write a paper on it!), but it's super informational and helpful! Pretty straightfoward writing style which is nice! If you're looking at working in Children's Ministry I highly recommend. Or if you just want to have kids and raise them in church, this is also a very enlightening about children and their walk with God.

[Myra Loy]

One of the best I've read on this topic. However, it is more philosophical than it is filled with practical application.

[Andreas Lorentzon]

Den här borde alla som är ledare för barn i kyrkan läsa!

[Matthew Hilbert]

While there is much about this book that I disagree with, Beckwith points out real shortcomings to children's ministry as it is today and encourages churches to think about how they can do things differently.

[Kirsten]

I was quite excited about reading this book, particularly after reading chapter one. While there are so many good thoughts and challenges to current practises, I often felt like it focussed on human processes at the expense of God’s often mysterious ways of calling and discipling people - I certainly don’t agree that ‘ignoring the problem in the way we do children’s ministry in our churches is to ensure its death”(p153). The kingdom of God is far more resilient than that.
As with many children’s ministry books, I also felt it did not address the tension between a missional/evangelistic approach and a discipleship model. How can we develop healthy faith formation practises that still allow us to reach into our community, speaking their language, so to speak? I’m not sure there is s clear distinction, but it would be helpful to include some of these considerations.
Despite my frustrations, there were many helpful suggestions and thought-provoking ideas, that would be great for some one new to children’s ministry, or wants to continue to evaluate their ministry.

[Jen Bradbury]

Excellent primer on children’s ministry that actually forms faith.

[Maddie]

A great resource for children’s ministers. I enjoyed this book.

[Frankslycreative]

A lot of this book resonates with me. I too feel it's time for a change in Children's Ministry, that we start using our time with little ones to share God's story as a way of introducing kids to Christ, not a means of behaviour modification.

[Ken]

An excellent resource for children's ministers.

[Pam]

Everyone in children and family ministry should read this book. Every time I read it, I find something new to inspire and encourage me. It also includes specific help and resources.

[Sarah Becker]

Anyone who ministers with children in the church should read this. Truly. ANYONE who ministers with children in the church needs to read this.