CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: THEOLOGY

Covering Biblical perspectives of childhood and how that may be interpreted today; theological themes seen through the perspective of children and conference Bible studies relating to children’s ministry and children.

Celebrating children

(Paternoster Press)

2014 conference recommendation by Colin Bennett

2011 conference recommendation by Simon Bass

A comprehensive resource written by over 50 contributors from all around the world, including university professors and experienced practitioners. Published in 2001, it is full of practical information as well as being a reference book drawing on the experience of both government funded programmes and small sustainable community based initiatives.

Children in the Bible: a fresh approach

(Anne Richards, SPCK)

2014 conference recommendation by Colin Bennett, Ed Jones, Martyn Payne and Joy Raynor

What does God think about children? What does this tell us about how we should view and treat children today? In re-examining what the Bible says about children, mission theologian Anne Richards argues that God finds children worthy of call, commission, blessing, healing and salvation. She argues that children are not only deeply woven into God’s purposes but are also makers of God’s story, ‘providers to us of a language through which God’s will for the creation is revealed.’ Interweaving analysis of the Biblical material with stories about contemporary children and childhood, Anne Richards also touches on issues of infertility, consumerism and neglect.

The child in the Bible

(Marcia Bunge, Eerdmans)

2014 conference recommendation by Dave Roberts

2013 conference recommendation by Ian White

Nineteen biblical scholars collaborate to provide an informed and focused treatment of biblical perspectives on children and childhood. Looking at the Bible through the “lens” of the child exposes new aspects of biblical texts and themes. Some of the authors focus on selected biblical texts while others examine such biblical themes as training and disciplining, children and the image of God. The chapters also invite readers to reconsider the roles that children can or should play in religious communities today.

When children became people: the birth of childhood in early Christianity

(OM Bakke, Augsburg Fortress)

2014 conference recommendation by Dave Roberts.

Using theological and social history research, Bakke compares Greco-Roman and Christian attitudes toward abortion and child prostitution, pedagogy and moral upbringing, and the involvement of children in liturgy and church life. He also assesses Christian attitudes toward children in the church’s developing doctrinal commitments. Today, growing numbers of children are impoverished, exploited, abandoned, orphaned, or killed and begins to untangle the roots of their complex plight.

Children and the theologians

(Jerome W Berryman, Morehouse)

2011 conference recommendation by Mary Hawes

‘Jerome Berryman’s new book looks at theologians through the centuries and their attitudes towards and theology (or lack of it) about children. It differs from Marcia Bunge’s book in that a) it is MUCH shorter, b) it is written in accessible language and c) it groups theologians together in terms of historical period, so that there is a sense of the bigger picture rather than just one person’s theology. And there is recognition of the growing number of female theologians emerging this century (and the question is asked as to how our theology might look if women had influenced in earlier times!).’ Mary Hawes[/two_third_last]

Through the eyes of a child

(Church House Publishing)

2011 conference recommendation by Carolyn Edwards, Sian Hancock, Mary Hawes, Anne Richards and Ian White

14 key theological themes from the perspective of children. Contributors: Anne Richards, Peter Privett, Nigel Asbridge, Keith White, Rebecca Nye, Joanna Collicutt, Emma Percy, Sandra Millar, Angela Shier-Jones, John Pridmore, John Drane, Olive M Fleming Drane, Paul Butler, Howard Worsley and Philip Frayer.

Sue says: This book challenges conventional reading of theology and is a fascinating read.

Welcoming children: a practical theology

(Joyce Mercer, Chalice Press)

2011 conference recommendation by Mary Hawes

A theology of childhood both from a theological perspective and from practical experience in children and youth ministry. Exploring five basic theological claims: 1) children as gifts and parenting as a religious practice of stewardship; 2) welcoming those who care for children; 3) children as fully human; 4) children as part of God’s purposes; and 5) acknowledging and transforming the sufferings of children, Mercer reframes ministries with children as processes through which the church can become the foundation for children forming identities that resist consumerist culture and instead walk in the ways of Jesus.

Jesus, fathers and boys

(Dave Roberts, 2015 conference)

A Bible study relating to how Jesus changed everything and what it means for your ministry.

Delegate rating 9/10

Jesus’ radical message about children

(Dave Roberts, 2014 conference)

Jesus’ words and actions with respect to children were frequent and often challenging to the spiritual worldview of the day. What did he say then, and what does it say to us today?