this was a super fascinating read! as someone who lives in the children’s ministry space, i really appreciated this take on harder subjects in this realm. can’t wait to add this to my shelf!

This book as a collection of thirteen (13) essays on different aspects of Children’s ministry within the Christian Church. Each chapter has a different author, making the quality of the whole inconsistent while maintaining a very broad over all theme. These essays are organized into four (4) sections that cover a specific sub theme, starting with an introduction of what spirituality looks like for a child and ending with three (3) essays dealing with childhood trauma (ACE), including the impacts and underlying aggravating factions of the abuse of children by clergy and other trusted adults in positions of authority within the Church. Between these are essays on how children are (or can be) interpreted within the faithful community, modeled by the family, along with one essay that deals with race issues that can impact efforts to talk openly with children about the real struggles they encounter within their own life. Most of the essays reinforce what seems like common sense (although I recognize that it is helpful to actually call them out for attention so that they aren’t ignored), with a couple of break out topics that held a few gems and a couple of essays that I felt were much too short to treat the topic well. In addition, for a practical guide, many of the essays where short on practical steps or advise that could actually be implemented.

This book was incredible - and I would highly recommend it to anyone who works in children's ministry. There are a wide range of topics and authors, but each chapter had value. I found this book as I am such a huge fan of Lacey Finn Borgo's work and her chapters were excellent, as were others. The chapters on race, spiritual fathers and mothers, and intergenerational models for change were particularly good, in my opinion.

Sometimes you get a lot of counsel in one volume. This is that.

How do you know the needs of child or where they are spiritually and relationally? How do you serve a family as you touch a child? And how does this express itself in the community of faith? Those basic questions lie at the core of a successful outreach and ongoing service to children.

Experts in psychology and ministry weigh in with advice and practical ideas for serving children and their families. Recommended for senior leaders and ministry staff that serve families and children.