Relational Children's Ministry
Turning Kid-Influencers Into Lifelong Disciple Makers
- Church Leadership & Ministry
- Children & Youth
- Publisher: Zondervan Reflective (Zondervan)
- Published: 2016
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Publisher's Description
Children’s ministry has the power to change the lives of kids and families. Unfortunately, it’s not always clear that the work a person does with kids is really making a lasting difference. Ask children’s ministry leaders and kid-influencers if they are making the impact on children’s lives as they had hoped and most likely the responses will be mixed. And for good reason. Research over the past decade has revealed an alarming lack of long-term growth in the faith community as children progress through student ministries into adulthood. Clearly, something needs to change. Relational Children’s Ministry seeks to reverse this trend by equipping children’s ministry leaders with practical tools to disrupt the status quo approach to discipleship with children and realign their ministries for greater long-term impact. Ministry leaders will: Learn how to relate intentionally to kids and families by putting five discipleship invitations modeled by Jesus into practice Explore practical approaches to realign their children’s ministry for a new trajectory by hitting three “reset buttons” to ensure long-term discipleship is embedded Encounter examples of disruptive disciple-makers in action and learn key principles that can be translated into their own ministry context Children’s ministry leaders will receive practical training to refocus their children’s ministry along with time-tested tools to personally recommit to lifelong discipleship. Kid-influencers can become a disciple-making community that redirects the current trajectory for this and future generations.
Endorsements (21)
“PRAISE FOR RELATIONAL CHILDREN’S MINISTRY Dan has it right. His observations and practical advice can help church ministry leaders immeasurably.”
“This is perhaps the most sobering and inspiring book on children’s ministry to date. An essential read for anyone working with children in the church today.”
Dr. Gary M. Burge
“Dan reminds us that real spiritual growth happens through relationships, and gives practical help and direction on how to realign ministries to this mission.”
“Amid all the stories about young people leaving the church, this book offers great encouragement for revitalizing the formation of the young.”
“Dan does an excellent job of saying what most of us are thinking, but then takes it a step farther with compellingly clear guidance to implement effective plans in our ministry.”
“This book challenges the status quo, providing powerful insights and encouragement to take your ministry to the next level.”
“Dan reminds us that children’s ministry is a vital part a local church and that discipleship of the next generation is nonnegotiable.”
“Jesus Christ has called us to make disciples who will mature in the Christian faith and reproduce their kind. Dan understands that children and youth comprise a fertile field where we can work.”
“Dan is on a mission to challenge children’s ministry leaders “to disrupt what they have been doing for years to make sure they’re truly leading the next generation toward a lifelong relationship with Jesus.”
“and discipleship savvy converge in a great children’s ministry book. A solid guide for practitioners of community-oriented discipleship.”
“Finally, someone is offering solutions to the exodus of kids and teens from the faith community. This book is a must have.”
“Dan invites pastors, parents, and any interested party to discuss questions which demolish some of our cherished assumptions. Out of this comes a stronger model of relationship and growth for children.”
“Dan is a voice to be reckoned with. The ideas he shares in this book will empower families and church leaders to transform our kids into lifelong disciple makers.”
“This book will help catapult the kidmin community into deeper dialogue and to a more effective and biblical way of relationally engaging and discipling kids and families today and for years to come.”
“Dan is honest, real, and vulnerable about the importance of relationships in transforming the lives of children and youth. He helps everyone from the newest kid influencer to the veteran to keep first things first.”
“Dan’s commitment as an equipper of church leaders and communicator of the truth is best captured through his passion to faithfully live in the tension of proclamation and demonstration of what he desires to see in others developed.”
“Dan has written a must-read book for parents and all who have the precious opportunity to influence a child.”
“If you want an easy, comfortable, feel-good book, don’t read this one. If you want a book that challenges your thinking, encourages your soul, transforms your children’s ministry, and transforms transforms you at the same time, grab Dan’s book right away.”
“Dan guides church leaders back to the center, where kids and families can grow together in vibrant faith.”
“Dan concisely delivers a model and vision for what churches can do to meet the unique needs and demands of this generation of children.”
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