Here is the church, here is the steeple . . . This update to the classic children's rhyme is an introduction to church for a new era, a whirlwind tour through all the wonderful things church can be and do and mean. From megachurches to little chapels to underground meetings, from welcoming to helping to feeding the hungry, church can be and do a lot of things. But ultimately that old rhyme said it best: the church is the people! With gently rhyming text by Sarah Raymond Cunningham and the vibrant and diverse illustrations of Ariel Landy, This Is the Church is an ideal gift for baptisms, confirmations, or any occasion in which children are welcomed into the life of the body of Christ.

Much ministry to children looks more like mere entertainment than authentic spiritual formation. But what if children's ministries were rooted in a mind set whereby we taught children, with our words and actions, how the story of God, the story of church history, the story of the local community, and the story of the child intersect and speak to one another? What if children's ministry was less about downloading information into kids' heads and more about leading them into these powerful, compelling stories? Beckwith aims to help ministers and parents create a ministry that captures children's imaginations not just to keep them occupied, but to live as citizens of the kingdom of God. In addition to providing theological reasons for formational children's ministry, the book offers examples of how Ivy and other practitioners are implementing a formational model.

Presents a new paradigm for children's ministry in the emerging church of the 21st century and explores current ways churches are putting that vision into practice.

A book filled with active, hands-on programs designed for ages three to seven. Each program features a simple Christian message; a Bible verse; a story; a prayer; time to sharing; time for singing; a snack; and a game, craft, or additional activity. The programs are structured to last from thirty-five to forty minutes. An additional activity is included in each program for those who want to extend children 's church to a full hour. Supplies and set-up are kept to a minimum and the book 's easy-to-use format makes it just right for today 's busy teacher.

Always have a great big-fun game at your fingertips for any area of children's ministry, daycare or after-school programming! From creative children's workers comes this tried-and-true colossal collection! Why just tell kids about David and Goliath and have them color a handout when you could play...Human Slingshot (p. 110) where kids link arms to make "slings" and launch paper "rocks" at a nine-foot high target (and then have a great discussion about the story)? Have big-time fun making Key Bible points! In this whopping collection, you'll find just the right game for every lesson or ministry need. Every time. Book jacket.

Attract kids to church, the logic often goes, and you get parents in the pews. All that's left is to get the kids out of the way. Here children's ministers David Csinos and Ivy Beckwith draw on research in human development and spiritual formation to show how children become disciples and churches become centers of lifelong discipleship.

Filled with fifty-two active, hands-on programs!