[Kid Inspiration]

I forthwith present a review of "Postmodern Children’s Ministry" by Ivy Beckwith… Well its not really a review so much as the main points that really stood to me somewhat kinda… a bit…

I have been insterested in Postmodernism in relation to Ministry ever since hearing Leonard Sweet speak at a conference. He since has become one of my favourite authors and the topic of Postmodernism one of my favourites. So it was with interest that I saw Ivy Beckwith’s book at Koorong in Sydney. I am no book reviewer, so I will mostly focus on key points that really stood out to me.

Key Points:

1. The Foundation of Faith.
"Often the work that happens in the church nursery is seen as little more than baby-sitting. No wonder it’s hard to find committed volunteers! The cargivers in our church nurseries need to know that they are doing much more than helping parents". (Pg. 45)

- It’s leadership 101… Your team NEEDS to know that they are serving a cause much bigger than themselves. If not retention rates will plummet and you will find yourselves with new leaders each year.

2. Evangelizing Children.
“The school-age years are the time that many churches and parachurch organizations advocate the aggressive evangelization of children… Unfortunately, once the prayer is prayed, parents and religious education leaders often breaethe a sigh of relief. "Whew! That one’s taken care of."… But parents and churches whoe are truly interested in the positive soul care of the child will not be as concerned about this one-time experience as they will about the ongoin immersion of the child in the things of God and Jesus.”; (Pg. 62)

- Very good point. In our transient culture we may have only a small window of opportunity to impact a child’s life. And so we should seek for that open heart to receive salvation. But for those children who are with us for a significant period of time my goal is to see life change in their attitude and foundations in scripture. Results are found not in the moment of salvation, but often in the moment of transformation, when you see a child respond differently to the way they once would have. It took me two years with one child in our children’s ministry to see a change in their participation in worship. Just last weekend for the first time thay truly connected with Christ in worship.

3. The family factor.
“Family is everything to a child. Family is the first palce a child forms and experiences relationships. It is a child’s first experience of community. Family is where a child learns language and motor skills and where she develops her first view and understanding of the world. Family is the first place a child experiences love, intimacy, forgiveness, and physical care. Conversely, family can also be the place where a child experiences her first emotional violence, neglect, indifference, and physical hurt”;. (Pg. 101)

- Our ministry MUST include the family, otherwise our effectiveness is stunted. Every parent wants the best for their child, they are interested and motivated to see their spiritual development progress. Somehow, show your parents what you do… impress upon them every single time they come across your ministry that THEIR CHILDREN MATTER! Your hour and a half… or whatever a week cannot compare to their living breathing relationship with their kids. Love their kids and commicate that love to the parents.

David Wakerley