Starting out in Children's Ministry

Ian Fry

Here is a great book for those working with children. It allows the Bible to shape its thinking whilst being wonderfully practical: this is distilled wisdom from a master-practitioner. There are so many strengths:
• it shows how a Bible passage can be broken down and taught, inspiring confidence to have a go
• the layout is in short, easy-to-read chapters
• the material could easily be used for Sunday School training - there is free team-training material on the Good Book website
• it could be used by any size of church.
I could go on. Suffice to say why not buy it and see for yourself.  I know of nothing better and cannot praise it too highly.

Ed Drew

What a joy to find such a short book that packs so much in! From cover to cover, there is everything a new Sunday School leader needs to start thrilling children with Jesus Christ. I will be using this book to train our young leaders, one to one, a chapter at a time. Thank you!

Gave me fresh joy and heaps of help

The book is only eight chapters, each one short and sweet, but between them they cover a rich sweep of pretty much everything you’d want introduced. Ranging from the general (‘Why Children’s Ministry?’) to the specific (‘Digging into the Bible’ and ‘Staying safe’), they’re an engaging blend of input, questions & activities, personal examples and prayer points.... continue reading

“I wouldn't want to be without this book”

This is the book I put into the hands of - or better still read with - our new Sunday school teachers. As well as lots of practical instructions - focus the fun, never just a helper, and how to POP - it works through fundamental issues like the purpose of children's ministry and the role of parents just as new team members are getting going. I wrote a review in 2016 and I see I"m still appreciating this book 9 years later!

“I wish I'd read this sooner”

I have been working in children's ministry for 6 years now. A friend lent me this book and it was so good that I've now bought my own copy. I wish I'd read it sooner.
It is a quick, simple and very clear book to read. It won't take much time to read it, but it was a very thorough, practical and helpful reminder of how to do things better. I would love all our church volunteers who help with children to read this.

“Essential book for all in children's ministry”

This book addresses the essential things everyone involved in ministry to children need to know. Practical and structured in a way that helps teams to go through the book together or an individual work through it on their own.

“Every children's worker should read this!”

I go back to this book again and again for training my teams. It is very clear and practical. It is a must to read for anyone anyone involved in children's ministry.

“Really practical”

This is a super helpful little book which covers all the most important aspects of children’s ministry. I read through it with our gap year students in the autumn term and it works really well as a springboard for the year.

“An excellent book for all involved in children's work”

This is an excellent book that I buy to give to volunteer children's workers and use it in training. It is suitable for those who are starting out as well as those with many years' experience.

“Excellent”

An excellent book, that presents information in a clear and concise way with points for us to think about, and take action on.

“A Needed Resource”

Books in children’s ministry are always being produced. But despite a plethora of books on the subject great books are few and far between. One of these few precious books is, Starting Out in Children’s Ministry, by Alison Mitchell, produced by the Good Book Company, is one of the greatest books on children’s ministry that I have ever read. As a minister to Children, Youth, and Families, I am always on the lookout for books which are aimed at educating leaders in ministry matters. This book allows a new children’s minister to get up to speed on how to do children’s ministry while at the same time having the scope of the book apply to any children’s ministry leader regardless of their title.

Starting out in children’s ministry shines in its flexibility and is able to be used as an individual study or group study. Each and every chapter is aimed at a specific concept needed to energise and invigorates any children’s ministry, regardless of its longevity. Most importantly this book is grounded in God’s word as its foundation and seeks to help any children’s ministry leader proclaim the Gospel in a way that the children will understand so they may come to have saving faith in Christ or grow in his grace to become young men and women of God.

This is hands down the best book for new leaders in children’s ministry. I highly recommend it to Children’s ministers who are just starting out in Children’s ministry or as a refresher to how to lead in a God-honoring way and children’s ministry. Yet I even more highly recommend this book as a tool for Children’s ministers to use with their leadership. This book is a must for properly training leaders to impact children for Christ. I plan on using it for years to come to introduce new leaders to Children’s ministry as well as continuing to disciple current children’s ministry leaders so they may become more effective in their ministry to children.

“Super training resource”

This book is simple and clear, and could be used by those just starting out in Children’s Ministry, or those who have been doing it a while and want to reflect on what they’re doing. I love that it starts by considering biblical principles which we can apply to children’s work before moving on to some more practical considerations. With loads of great tips and ideas, all written in a clear and accessible way, this is a super training resource.