Postmodern Children's Ministry: Ministry to Children in the 21st Century Church

by Ivy Beckwith

This practical, thought-provoking book presents a new paradigm for children’s ministry in the emerging 21ST century and explores how churches are currently putting that vision into practice. Advocating the need to regard children as full participants in their faith communities, the book provides strategies for building intergenerational community where children feel they belong and have the opportunity to serve.

Genres: Christian, Spirituality, Church

176 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read for work - some good insights but not much practical advice.

[Brian Stevenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ivy Beckwith is a Children's Ministry veteran with over 25 years of experience. Over the years, she discovered that the traditional way of doing Children's Ministry is very broken. For instance, she asserts that Children's Ministry (C.M.) is broken because: 1. Some senior Pastors consider C.M. a marketing tool to grow the adult attendance. 2. C.M. is treating Bible stories like moral fables with a punch line at the end. 3. C.M. was trivializing God's Story, rather than embracing it. 4. C.M. becomes more about entertaining children rather than facilitating their spiritual formation. 5. C.M. is more program-driven rather than helping children develop meaningful relationships within the church community. 6. The church thinks the C.M. can do a better job with spiritually nurturing than the parents.

She insightfully addresses all of these issues with fantastic real-world examples. I walked away with: 1. a better understanding of how children intellectually learn at different age levels, 2. what levels a child will go through in their spiritual development, 3. the indispensible role the church community plays with a child's spiritual formation, 4. creative ways children can contribute back to the community, 5. the centrality of parental involvement with a child's spiritual formation, 6. how to facilitate teaching and discussion in way that allows a child to creatively apply scripture to their own life situation.

[Josh Kellar · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems that Beckwith really leads the way in describing some characteristics of what children's ministry will look like in a post-modern generation. Community, ritual, family are all important in PM church life. I think as children's ministers read this, it needs to be with a lens that takes into consideration how their own denomination or congregation will adapt to these changes. My personal tendency is to want to rush into making changes to adapt to a PM culture. I think this is a dangerous way of considering ministry as our culture is not rushing into a huge paradigm shift but rather transitioning into it gradually. The task of children's ministers is to navigate through this and gradually incorporate elements which PM families value. This is a slow shift. Parents and children will appreciate the elements which focus on community and multi-generational faith learning without being shocked by a huge change in how ministry is done. Beckwith's Formational Children's Ministry fleshes this out some.

[Ko Matsuo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful book. Beckwith's point is that the model for children's ministry that most churches have today is at least 100 years old and is not effective today. They tend to be program driven, focused on teaching morals rather than Gospel, and focused on keeping kids busy so as to give adults a break. Our children see right through it and not only aren't impressed, but don't see the relevance. Postmodern children's ministry must focus on connecting with kids, building them up as worshipers, and including them with adults rather than driving them away. A relatively short read and a good start to a discussion that we should be having.

[Leah Horrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was probably the most exciting book I've read in a while about ministry. Its focus is not on a five step program of what to do with kids but ways to reach upcoming generations of children being raised in the church.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book review is coming. For now, just know that this is one of those books that I think should be required reading for all people going into ministry - whether it's children's ministry, youth ministry or adult ministry.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Would recommend.

[Cole McGee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I great book that gets to the point. If people could relax and see the value of non programming, then I believe children could see the value in Christianity as an organic way of life.

[Joshua Bellamy · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good read, especially when attempting to develop a children's ministry in the modern context. there are also ideas in the book that apply to all aspects of ministry.