God is at work in the lives of children.
Most ministers are looking for inspiration but feel overwhelmed. Children's Ministry and the Spiritual Child offers practical tools with evidence-based research in an easy-to-read format, perfect for engaging and equipping passionate yet busy children's ministry leaders. Learn from the wisdom and research of some of the leading thinkers in the field of children's spirituality about best practices of ministry in both personal and community settings.
- Section 1: Reviews ways to engage a child's innate spiritual capacity
- Section 2: Considers the equipping role a family plays in a child's spiritual life
- Section 3: Outlines intergenerational involvement in a child's faith formation
- Section 4: Offers advice for care and compassion for children when trauma happens
- Section 5: Brings everything together with hands-on ideas for putting the research to use
Robin Turner serves as Director of Family Ministries at All Saints Dallas and runs www. worshipwithchildren.com, a church-resourcing website sharing research-based tools for integrating children into corporate worship and the rhythms of church life. Robin, her husband Sam, and their two young sons, Davy and Jack, live in Dallas, Texas.
Trevecca Okholm has served as a children’s and family pastor and taught practical theology at Azusa Pacific University. She is the author of Kingdom Family: Re Envisioning God’s Plan for Marriage and Family and, more recently, The Grandparenting Effect: Bridging Generations One Story at a Time. Trevecca and her husband, Dennis, have two children and three grandchildren.
“What is unique about this resource is that many contributors are primarily thoughtful practitioners (some also happen to be academics)—the reverse is usually true. Okholm and Turner’s work is extremely valuable for the person in the trenches of local ministry.”
—Scottie May, Associate Professor of Christian Formation and Ministry Emerita at Wheaton College; coauthor of Listening to Children on the Spiritual Journey
“The authors combine qualitative research and practical ideas to help you reach children and families more effectively. From a strong emphasis on receptive listening, cultivating internal motivation, and building developmental relationships to strategies for responding to difficult behaviors and trauma, each chapter offers connections with scripture and social science research. I especially appreciate the attention to addressing racism and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), as well as the myriad effects of the global pandemic on family faith practices."
—Rev. Karen-Marie Yust, Rowe Professor of Christian Education, Union Presbyterian Seminary; chair of the International Association for Children’s Spirituality; author of Real Kids, Real Faith
ISBN 9781684262137
Pages 272
Dimensions (inches) 6 x 9
Weight (pounds) .5
