Mission-shaped children - Margaret Withers

Too often, church for children is about containing and entertaining, rather than engaging with and growing young Christians who can give as much as they receive. Mission-shaped Church touched on the importance of involving and nurturing the children and young people in the Church, but only in passing; Mission-shaped Children fills this gap. The book outlines the many obstacles that are currently preventing growth in children's work in the Church, and suggests practical and effective strategies for overcoming these. Full of sound advice, real-life case studies, questions for discussion and guidance on sources of further advice and information, Mission-shaped Children explores:How the dramatic cultural, social and economic trends of recent years have impacted on children's lives and how this affects the Church; Developments in how the Church has nurtured children over the past 100 years; The many varied opportunities that exist to help children to experience church, and some of the challenges these present for those working with children; How the Church can shape itself around children and young people, rather than expecting them to fit in with the Church.Engaging with the messages of this book will challenge you to see your church from the perspective of the children and young people within it and, by applying the author's coherent strategies, you can transform your children's ministry.

'Margaret Withers has done the whole Church of England a service by applying the strategies of Mission-shaped Church to the Church's ministry with children. The insights in this book will help the Church regain both hope and vision for its mission among children.'
Revd Jackie Cray, previously Families and under-5s Adviser for CPAS, and Bishop Graham Cray, Chairman of the Mission-shaped Church working party