Along the Way: Conversations About Children & Faith

by Ron Bruner, Dana Kennamer Pemberton

A call for the church--the whole church--to enter into a serious conversation about the spiritual nourishment of our children. Conversations about children and faith draw us close to the heart of God--among the people of God, these talks are justifiably nuanced and passionate. The authors of Along the Way lead everyone in the church--parents, grandparents, teachers, friends, ministers, and leaders--in a careful yet understandable dialogue about nurturing children spiritually. Along the way, we discover that the individuality of each child and the distinctiveness of their context call us to see each child's walk with God as a unique journey of discovery. We also learn that sharing these paths with children changes and bless us at least as much as it does them.

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 12, 2016

Reviews

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collaborative work attempting to further a conversation regarding children and faith development.

The book begins with an attempt to frame the dialogue, discussing how churches of Christ were born out of a frontier revivalist conversion framework and the difficulties which arise when then attempting to fit children into that framework. They confess that a theology of children is not well-developed within churches of Christ, which is accurate. They then attempt to explain the nature of spirituality within children.

Various authors speak regarding various specialties in terms of the home, the church, and ministry: parenting as a discipline, interacting with the Bible with children, praying with children; working toward a more intergenerational church, children and the Lord's Supper, children and baptism; ministering with children, how to approach children's Bible classes, practicing spiritual disciplines with children, encouraging children to serve, and welcoming all children.

Few will walk away in complete agreement with what is said in the book; it is likely that there is disagreement on matters even among the collaborators. Nevertheless the book does well at catalyzing thinking about how children "fit" in the church and what effective spiritual formation looks like for Christians attempting to raise their children "in the church" well.

Worth consideration.

[L Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a collection of writings, ideas, experiences, suggestions, etc about faith and children. The writings are from a variety of Christian teachers, volunteers, educators, and ministers. Almost every chapter contains a different concept and is written by a different author. It is a great resource to challenge the status quo approach with children and to learn from the experiences of others, both what was effective and what wasn’t. It covers a wide array of topics. While you may or may not agree with some of the conclusions or suggestions, they will may you think and reconsider how you currently approach children and faith. It was helpful to learn from some many different people within one book.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for those thinking through the theology of children's ministry. I would put it in the top children's ministry related books I have ever read.

[Jane Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really thoughtful conversations about children and how all that we do impacts them in more ways than we think.

[Laura Fike · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the (if not the) best books I have read on the spiritual formation of children! A helpful read for children's ministers, parents, or anyone ready to have a serious conversation about the spiritual nurture of our children inside the church and out.