Contents
Acknowledgments 10
Foreword by Bill Wilson 11
A Word from the Author 12
Introduction
This is What it is All About 14
The Eighteenth Century was Drawing to a Close 18
A Brave New World 20
Ministering in a Postmodern Culture is Not as New as You May Think 21
We're Called to Preach Awe, Wonder and Mystery. The age of Information is Passing! 26
SECTION 1 - Children's Ministry in Four Dimensions 38
The First Dimension - Bah'ith 40
The Second Dimension - Mish-paw-khaw 50
The Challenge of Intergenerational Worship 53
Lost in Transition - Jo Foster 61
The Third Dimension - Child Evangelism 67
Robert Raikes Legacy 70
The Raikes Elements 73
A Case Study: Messy Church in Practice - Rachel Hill-Brown 118
A Three-Dimensional Conclusion 124
The Fourth Dimension - You're It! 126
None Greater 127
Did I Mention You're it! 130
What Do You See? 136
There's Only One Real Key 146
SECTION 2 - Communication 152
Learning A New Language 153
The Best Way to Communicate - The Art of the Story 160
Telling Real Bible Stories - Samuel Returned to Ramah 171
Salvation and Gifts from God 177
SECTION 3 - A Few Misconceptions 186
Let's Take a Break and Barbecue Some Sacred Cows 187
SECTION 4 - Practical Help 196
Safeguarding - Lisa Macbeth 197
The Beginner's Guide 204
The Timetable for the First Two Years 205
Timetable for a Normal Year 211
Timetable for the Southern Hemisphere - by Alison Champness 212
Timetable for a Normal Year (Southern Hemisphere) 216
The Children's Club 217
The People 217
The Programme 219
The Extra Stuff - Appendix 234
Sample Letter for Schools 235
Five-Year Planner 237
Sample Leaflet 238
Children's Club Colouring Competition 239
Lesson Format Template 240
Sample Lesson from Impact - Mark Griffiths 241
Recommended Resources 248