Children’s Ministry in the Way of Jesus
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Attract kids to church, the logic often goes, and you get parents in the pews. All that’s left, then, 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 local church has focused primarily on programs for children rather than ways of doing ministry with children. But in light of emerging missional movements, the church is changing and forming a new kind of ecclesial culture. And children’s ministry must follow suit. Csinos and Beckwith propose a new way of thinking for these modern churches—they suggest that children can contribute to our theological understandings, as well as invest in and practice Biblical justice just like adult church members. Here is a unique resource that explores children’s ministry in light of true spiritual formation and discipleship.
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- Suggest that children can contribute to our theological understandings
- Explores children’s ministry in light of true spiritual formation and discipleship
- Draws on research in human development and spiritual formation to show how children become disciples
- Introduction: Doing Children’s Ministry Differently
- The Task of Children’s Ministry
- Authentic Spirituality
- Formational Discipleship
- Vibrant Theologies
- Living Stories
- Honest Questions
- Meaningful Participation
- Radical Hospitality
- Intergenerational Community
- Transformative Justice
- Holistic Lives
- The End of Children’s Ministry
Popular approaches to children’s ministry equate good children’s ministry with glitzy, fun programs that parents and congregations appreciate for giving them respite from children’s presence. In contrast, Csinos and Beckwith define children’s ministry as serving and caring for children, leading them in turn to serve one another and the world as Jesus’ followers. This insightful book will help congregations—not just ‘children’s ministers’—explore what Jesus meant by teaching us to welcome and be led by children.
—Diana R. Garland, author of Family Ministry and coeditor of Journal of Family and Community Ministries
With all the creative planning, programming, theologizing and dreaming that’s been happening for youth and adults, there has been too little fresh thinking about ministry with children. Thankfully, that’s changing—and this book is prime evidence of that good news. If you’re ready to venture into new horizons in children’s ministry, start reading. You’ll find well-written chapters full of wise insight—and you’ll be inspired to be part of a new era in the spiritual formation of children.
—Brian McLaren, author, speaker, activist
David Csinos and Ivy Beckwith take a thoughtful and insightful look at the faith of children and how the church has and should respond to that faith. This book is deep enough to be enjoyed by those with years of experience but clear and engaging enough to be read by those just starting in the field. The authors’ emphasis on how theology should shape ministry with children is both helpful and challenging. This is a great book for any group of people working with children to read together.
—Robert J. Keeley, author of Helping Our Children Grow in Faith, and Laura Keeley, director of children’s ministry, 14th Street Christian Reformed Church (Holland, Michigan)
A beautiful invitation into a way of ministering alongside children. I love how Beckwith and Csinos write about formation with children as a tale of traveling companions, setting out on a journey together to know and experience God along the way. Rich!
—Mimi Keel, kids community director, Jacob’s Well Church, Kansas City, Missouri
- Title: Children's Ministry in the Way of Jesus
- Authors: Ivy Beckwith, David M. Csinos
- Publisher: IVP
- Print Publication Date: 2013
- Logos Release Date: 2013
- Pages: 210
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
- Subjects: Children's Ministry; Spiritual formation and discipleship
- ISBNs: 9780830864683, 9780830841080, 0830841083, 0830864687
- Resource ID: LLS:9780830864683
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2025-02-14T22:01:10Z