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Invitation to Educational Ministry: Foundations of Transformative Christian Education
Because teaching is at the heart of Christian ministry, the editors of Invitation to Educational Ministry have assembled a team of seasoned experts to present a comprehensive plan of Christian education. This volume will help church staff, parachurch leaders, and small-group teachers become more effective, influential, and creative.
After laying a biblical and practical foundation for Christian education, the contributors provide specific guidance on teaching a variety of individuals and groups, including children, adults, singles, seniors, and non-Christians.
The final section shares valuable insights on leading small groups, teaching innovatively, and overseeing a healthy educational ministry, among other topics. Each chapter is designed to equip educators with the most relevant information, and includes many useful
After laying a biblical and practical foundation for Christian education, the contributors provide specific guidance on teaching a variety of individuals and groups, including children, adults, singles, seniors, and non-Christians.
The final section shares valuable insights on leading small groups, teaching innovatively, and overseeing a healthy educational ministry, among other topics. Each chapter is designed to equip educators with the most relevant information, and includes many useful
528 pages, Hardcover
Published September 25, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 11, 2021
Chapter 1, “What Makes A Great Teacher?”, was very inspiring.
Chapter 10, “Under Attack: Families and Marriages”, was well written. The title is rather dramatic in light of the actual content. Really no new information here though. It is a clear articulation of the problem, however.
Chapter 14, “Curious: Not Yet Christians”, was very well done and informative. However, the title implies that everyone eventually becomes a Christian and the Bible does not teach this.
The remainder of the text was neither scholarly nor practical. It is a very vague outline of some general concepts.
In Chapter 20 (p. 460), Educational Ministry in the Smaller Church”, the author asserts, “Working with children does not require the spiritual gift of teaching.” Wow!
Overall, books reads like a “tossed salad” of essays by members of the same academic department. As a whole, the work is well below what I would expect from a prestigious seminary such as Dallas Theological Seminary.
Chapter 10, “Under Attack: Families and Marriages”, was well written. The title is rather dramatic in light of the actual content. Really no new information here though. It is a clear articulation of the problem, however.
Chapter 14, “Curious: Not Yet Christians”, was very well done and informative. However, the title implies that everyone eventually becomes a Christian and the Bible does not teach this.
The remainder of the text was neither scholarly nor practical. It is a very vague outline of some general concepts.
In Chapter 20 (p. 460), Educational Ministry in the Smaller Church”, the author asserts, “Working with children does not require the spiritual gift of teaching.” Wow!
Overall, books reads like a “tossed salad” of essays by members of the same academic department. As a whole, the work is well below what I would expect from a prestigious seminary such as Dallas Theological Seminary.
April 24, 2021
Probably closer to 3.5 stars. Some of the chapters in this book were EXCELLENT! Others were eh.
This would be a good resource to have. It has lots of information that is helpful to think through for many different areas.
This would be a good resource to have. It has lots of information that is helpful to think through for many different areas.
December 4, 2021
So.much.information. Great stuff! Not all applicable for me, but it is a good reference resource too.
March 27, 2025
Since different chapters were written by different authors, this is really a mixed bag.
August 11, 2018
A great primer on educational ministry. While it can serve as a textbook for an introductory course on Christian education, it is also a helpful resource for pastoral staff. You can read straight through the book or you can select an individual chapter of interest. I do suggest reading the first two and final chapters before jumping into the chapter of interest to you.
In addition to traditional topics (family, youth, women's ministries), Mike Justice wrote an excellent chapter on disabilities! This topic is all too often overlooked. George Hillman, in the final chapter, walks the reader through how to create and evaluate a program. This "educational process" is vital for ministry leaders.
In full disclosure, I must state that I received a free copy from an editor. This though has little bearing on my endorsement of the book.
In addition to traditional topics (family, youth, women's ministries), Mike Justice wrote an excellent chapter on disabilities! This topic is all too often overlooked. George Hillman, in the final chapter, walks the reader through how to create and evaluate a program. This "educational process" is vital for ministry leaders.
In full disclosure, I must state that I received a free copy from an editor. This though has little bearing on my endorsement of the book.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews