Suggested Further Reading

Children’s Spirituality by Rebecca Nye Pub. CHP ISBN: 978-0-7151-4027-7 Marrying praxis with theory, this easy-to-read book opens up the area of children’s spirituality and offers practitioners ways of nurturing its development

Offering the Gospel to Children by Gretchen Wolff Pritchard Pub. Cowley Publications ISBN: 1 56101 065 0 This book challenges our understanding of what is usually offered to children in the name of the Gospel. The hard-hitting theory in the first half is complemented by practical outworkings in the second half. I’ve read it at least three times and still see new things each time.

Post-modern Children’s Ministry by Ivy Beckwith Pub. Zondervan ISBN: 0 310 25754 9 This looks at the impact of postmodernism on the church and the effect this has had on ministry with children. Well written, practical and thought-provoking

Children in the Worshipping Community by Ng & Thomas Pub. John Knox Press Sadly out of print (though available second hand), this book was written nearly 30 years ago but still challenges churches to examine their practice of welcoming children into worship.

Spiritual Garments by Julie McGann Pub. Decani Books ISBN: 1-900314-17-7 Written for non-specialists in primary school, this book explains how the elements of worship fit together, how children can take their place as leaders of worship, and offers practical suggestions for creating liturgical worship with children.

Welcoming Children by Joyce Mercer Pub. Chalice Press ISBN: 0 827242 51 4 This is a challenging read, looking at what scripture, theology and practice have to say about the place of children in the church community. Chapter 2 examines the Markan passages about children, while chapters 5 & 6 look at the place of education and liturgy in the nurture of children’s faith.

The Child in Christian Thought ed. Marcia Bunge Pub. Eerdmans ISBN: 0 8028 4693 9 Vast tome that spans the history of Christian thinking re: children. Not a ‘read it from start to finish’ book, but chapters 1, 12, 15 & 16 are particularly interesting.

Let the Children come to Communion By Stephen Lake Pub. SPCK ISBN: 0 281 05795 8 Excellent summary of the current situation regarding the admission of children to communion before confirmation. Easy to read, with background history, examples of current practice and interviews with parishes.

The Child in the Bible Ed: Marcia Bunge, Pub. Eerdmans ISBN: 978-08028 4835 2 This uncovers children hidden throughout biblical texts. Very readable. Written by a range of biblical scholars.