Dreaming of More for the Next Generation: Lifetime Faith Ignited by Family Ministry

by Michelle Anthony, Sharon Clausen (Narrator)

It's Monday morning. Are you wondering if your ministry to kids at church yesterday made any difference at all? With a fresh approach to spiritual formation in the lives of kids and their families, this audio book will reawaken your passion for ministry and give you new vision for what is most important in the lives you shepherd. Dr. Michelle Anthony shares stories that will inspire you and provide the tools you need • Partner with parents to equip them as spiritual leaders in their homes. • Motivate children and teenagers to step out of their comfort zones and into a lifetime of faith. • Create intentional space for the kids in your care to meet Jesus. Dreaming of More for the Next Generation is not program-driven—it encourages you to be Spirit-driven as you minister to kids and their parents.

Genres: Parenting, Christian Non Fiction, Nonfiction, Christianity, Christian

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Michelle Anthony, M.A., Ph.D. is a child development researcher and educator. She is a co-founder of Wide-Eyed Learning, LLC, which teaches parents and educators the Signing Smart approach to using ASL signs with hearing babies and toddlers. She lives with her husband and signing children in Centennial, Colorado.

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mainly focused on the worship section of this book (ch9) but I had to add it on here as it is so good! The way it’s written is great and the practical steps are very applicable to my orbit kids.
The highlight was realising that the Holy Spirit can and will work in the lives of young kids if we let Him. We should be trying to create more spaces where the kids can genuinely worship God and get to know Him personally not just sing and dance to good songs without really knowing why. This is convicting for myself too.
I need to read the rest of this book properly!

[Mark Archibald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very easy to read on the run, which is a huge asset. It’s chapters are. Token in to smaller sections, making it easy to pick up and put down. Ideas are well communicated and well explained. Some exceptionally transformational stuff for your own home, but the primary target is to have family based ministry transform your ministry. Lots of examples of application, and lots of freedom to apply what you learn here to your specific context.

[John Hailes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best kidmin book out there. This philosophy has shaped my ministry

[Gail Welborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Michelle Anthony’s fresh and innovative approach to family ministry provides “…an intentional plan that equips parents both in their spiritual lives and in their roles as spiritual parents.” Another way of saying it would be for families and children to be “church equipped” with “parent powered” instructors.

While Michelle believes parents should be in charge of their children’s spiritual instruction her focus for empowerment is “…the Holy Spirit…God’s chosen teacher.”

She uses Jesus’ biblical analogy of old and new wineskins to “…compare the religious system prevalent in His society with the “new wine…” He was about to pour out.” The “new wine” meant people no longer had to earn a relationship with God by observance of His laws. Instead, people could “experience” God with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Michelle hopes to awaken parents, pastors and churches to this “family ministry model,” that is family friendly, family sensitive, family empowered and family centered. Her concept is composed of “seven pillars,” with the family as the primary pillar and children’s sound “spiritual formation” their goal.

Since she “reserves” the role of teacher to the Holy Spirit, she calls those in children’s ministry “…storytellers of God’s Big Story…” …Full Review: http://tinyurl.com/cnoqpxj

[Cindy DeLong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't finish this book. It was very good but geared toward people in church administration and specifically children's ministry. I learned quite a bit from the few pages that I did read. This book gave an excellent overview of how the Christian faith should be taught so that it is retained in a personal manner by the receiver. I will remember these guidelines as I nurture a lifelong belief in each of my children. I don't need to read an in-depth explanation of each concept and how they relate to other families as I don't plan to work or volunteer in children's ministry.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a part of children's ministry (no matter the age group), this is a great book to refresh your mind to things you already know, give some wisdom on looking at ministry in a new way and helping you dream more. I walked away with lots of great nuggets to not only pray for but to implement in my journey.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic book to help parents rethink their God-given responsibility to teach faith to their children. Churches will be challenged to re-think their ministries and curriculum after reading just a few pages. Great book. I thank the author for sharing.

[Todd Mckeever · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is a book that I truly enjoyed and was given the opportunity to even write a book review on which I gave great reviews in the post as well (toddmckeever.com)

[Justin Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

thoughts from #DreamingOfMore http://justinfarley.blogspot.com/2012... @david_c_cook @keanalough @mrsjoosten @nwchildren

[jessica]

[free nook book]

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read! Highly commended for children's ministry leaders and Christian parents!!! Great book to strategically think of spiritual formations and family ministry.