Customer Reviews (3)

Keys to Ancient Sacred Knowledge
There is so much misinformation about Hawaiian mythology "out there".I was looking for accurate information about ancient Hawaii and found it in this little book.Brief, but chock-full of golden kernels of "truth".

An Excellent And Unique HawaiianBook
In the mid-1900's, the author Leinani Melville was a merchant sailor who was taught traditional Hawaiian religion, mythology, and sacred symbols by Native Hawaiians, which included an elderly Hawaiian woman in Waikiki. Just before this elderly Hawaiian womandied, she told Melville to write a book. This book took over 2 decades to write and it is about the Hawaiian Gods, select mythology (including the Kumulipo or creation chant), and many illustrated sacred symbols with explanations.In addition, it does have a few astrological references in the context of the presented mythology or history. Children Of the Rainbow is a unique, priceless, and readable authentic Native Hawaiian resource.

Surprise Source
Children of the Rainbow : The Religions, Legends, and Gods of Pre-Christian Hawaii. A most important book for astronomers who date the explosion of X-1 in the beak of the constellation Cygnus as 65 millionyears ago.First, mankind has not been around that long and, Second, Eventhough the explosion of X-1 has been recorded all over the world, only theHawaiians seem to have seen it up close. Apparently, all others were eitherkilled outright by the subsequent flooding of the land or their descendantstreated the stories as grandpop's standard story of "the big one thatgot away." This may be a book about religion, but it is more a bookabout the heavens and how it reflects years of sky observations, someactual sightings but other views that attempt to explain to their peopleabout the beauty around their islands ... Read more

Product Description

Ideal for showing children how to be effective stewards of the world around them

This leader's resource helps plan six sessions that will help children

• Learn what it means to care for the world and God’s people

• Consider the ways to do good things for their families, their church, their community, and the world

• Discover the value of spiritual disciplines and how to practice them

The three simple rules of "Do No Harm," "Do Good," and "Stay in Love with God" are easy enough for children to understand and profound enough to begin a lifelong journey of faith.

For a free online copy of Three Simple Rules A Conversation Guide for Parents click here!

Product Description
Stories from the Old Testament are accompanied by readings and activities for the Jewish child. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Simple and effective
Simple and effective way to expose & teach young children about the Torah. Also can be helpful as preparation forBar/Bat Mitzvah.

Bible Stories for Jewish Children
This book is the first of a two book series which collectively cover the Hebrew bible.The first book covers the Torah.The second covers the balance of the Bible.Stories are presented in order of their appearance in the Bible.Each book contains 18 stories.Each story is told concisely over two pages, followed by activities to review comprehension.The books are nicely illustrated.My boys, ages 4, 6, and 11, all enjoy the stories and activities.The stories, which make great bedtime stories, are presented well to be understandable and interesting for children. ... Read more

Product Description
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. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Read this book with caution
Her analysis of current children's ministry is that it is broken.But she her solution is to "imagine" a new way and a new future (see italics in the introduction).The solution is not to use our imaginations but to use the scriptures.Our imaginings is what has gotten us into this mess.Enough.Back to the Bible plain and simple.

A unique combination of education and spiritual development
Ivy Beckwith confronts what I believe to be the most important issue of any time: the generational transmission of cultural knowledge and wisdom, and the preparation of children for a meaningful and truly human life. Beckwith recognizes that the cultural, communal and familial project of raising children is both ontological (spiritual) and epistemological (educational). Thus, with inspiring grace and beauty, Beckwith approaches the topic of children's ministry as central to the life of a church community. In other words, Beckwith challenges Christians and Christian communities to be what they believe and to live what they teach. This, simply, is what postmodern children's ministry means to Beckwith. Beckwith begins by describing the idea of modern and postmodern as a process of cultural transition. Our culture and society is going through a transition from modern to postmodern that is lasting generations. There is no single point in time or event in which a shift from something called modern to something called postmodern occurred, occurs, or will occur. Nonetheless, Beckwith suggests that the youngest generations, especially the post 9/11 generation now entering school, is much more postmodern in sensibilities than previous generations. A strength of this book is Beckwith's explanation of modern and postmodern and exactly what she means with her description of the newest generation as one with "postmodern sensibilities." Simply, Beckwith suggests that the newest generations use information, process and think about knowledge, and communicate in new, unpredictable, and postmodern ways. Within this postmodern milieu, however, we still understand the psychosocial and spiritual development of children. Beckwith cites and uses the work of Eric Erikson and James Fowler to explain the development of identify and spiritual understanding of children. Key to successful child spiritual development is community. Beckwith states, "All churches are some kind of social community, but it takes thought, intent, and hard work to become a biblical community of faith that is foundational to the spiritual development not only of its children, but also of all its members" (72-73). Later, she continues, "Faith is not something that develops in a vacuum. Having faith, understanding faith, exploring faith, and questioning faith are not solo activities. These things are meant to be done with others who are on the same path or looking for the same path. These things are meant to be done with people older than us, the same age as us, and younger than us. These things are meant to be done with people who look, think, and live differently than we do" (74). From this foundational assumption, Beckwith proceeds to provide practical advice and wisdom on how to engage children in full community participation, the role of family in community and the spiritual growth of children and community, how to engage children in a living and meaningful Bible, and how to involve and include children in worship. The power of this work partially stems, I believe, from Beckwith's knowledge and experience as an educator. Simply, Beckwith is able to integrate strong professional knowledge of curriculum and pedagogy with spiritual development. One could, in fact, substitute the term "education" for "spiritual/religious development" and the work would remain nonetheless valid. Beckwith declares that the development of children into caring, productive, and world transforming adults is a community activity and responsibility. It is not a product bought from and delivered by an educational service provider in an isolated classroom or institution. This is true whether in a Sunday school classroom, a church, or a public or private school.

Good Ideas along with some weird ones.
At some points in the book she seems to contradict herself. A little bit of the book is confusing to read, and some of her ideas seemed a little weird (but I guess everybody is different). She did say that she was saved before she asked Jesus into her heart and to forgive her of her sins (I strongly disagree with this). On the positive side, she did have some thought provoking statements that might be worth reading if you are in Children's ministry or are going to enter into it. Just don't buy the book for full price.

Loved this book
This book had an easy read quality.Explained children of the twenty-first century in accurate detail!I recommend this book to anyone who works with kids!

AWESOME! A must-read for anyone who deals with the public!
I am an attorney, and theologian and webmaster of numerous religious websites. I have taught in Children's Church about 7 years.

This book discusses the CULTURAL SHIFT from the Modern Age (1700-1980 A.D.) to Postmodern. The first chapter alone is so important on this that I faxed parts to the Texas Bar Journal and State Bar of Texas Continuing Legal Education Section telling them they need to teach us lawyers this information for dealing with clients, employees, adverse parties, etc. I also gave excerpts to our denomination's Senior Bishop, our Senior Pastor and the head of our church's training ministry because the information applies far beyond children. Beckwith explains that what many view as only a "generation gap" is in fact a much more fundamental shift, equal to the shift from the Middle Ages' mystical worldview to the Enlightenment's rationalistic "Age of Reason" worldview.

The book is not about "Children's Church" programs per se although it discusses various aspect of those in a good bit of detail. It is about MINISTERING TO CHILDREN and CHILDREN'S SPIRITUAL GROWTH. It includes things like children's cognitive abilities and ability to understand abstract concepts at various ages, how children grow spiritually, the role and effect of the family, the importance of children being involved in church activities, not just babysat. This book is an excellent resource for parents and non-religious teachers as well as churches.

Beckwith is well-qualified by both experience and education. Although she is highly critical of practices often found in children's ministry, she explains the problems and describes realistic alternatives, many of which have been successfully implemented. She points out convincingly that if the church does not understand the worldview of the Postmoderns and adapt its approach, it will be viewed as irrelevant, just one view among a substantial number of views, all of which will be considered equally valid although they are mutually contradictory. Again, this is not limited to children's ministry. ... Read more

Product Description
No children's pastor or Christian education director should be without this handy resource! Busy pastors often find themselves scrambling to put together their children's sermons...The Humongous Book of Children's Messages puts an end to unnecessary stress, offering more than 170 brief messages (5 to 10 minutes!) on everything from major holidays and common children's topics to 75 key Bible stories. Indexed by topic and Scripture reference, this massive collection and trusty companion makes it easy to prepare great sermons in a snap. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Book!
This is another great addition to a church library.It is a great resource for any youth worker.Keep it handy, you'll definately use it. ... Read more

Product Description
This is the first book to examine the theme of children in major religions of the world. Each of six chapters, edited by world-class scholars, focuses on one religious tradition and includes an introduction and a selection of primary texts. Through both the scholarly introductions and the primary sources, this comprehensive volume addresses a range of topics, from the sanctity of birth to a child's relationship to evil, showing that issues regarding children are central to understanding world religions and raising significant questions about our own conceptions of children today. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a retelling of popular stories from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible by Rev. Jude Winkler, presented in language understandable to children and beautifully illustrated to add meaning to the text. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

ST. JOSEPH'S ILLUSTRATED BIBLE REVIEW
To whom it may concern:
The children's Bibles that I have ordered and still need more....I use with my adult classes.
(My students are the parents of the First Communion Class) I do this in several parishes and have foundit very successful for several reasons:

It has the Bible in a "Nut shell"
At the top of each story is the references to the adult Bible.
The stories are much easier to understand.
The continuity of how God works with His people and how Jesus is the visible sign of God is easier to grasp.
Each parent is asked to read two stories each night and simply explain the moral of the story.
Parents and children love and get acquianted with the Bible.
I would recommend this to all teachers of Religion classes.

Sincerely,
Sister Mary Sardinha, S.S.D.

Too scary for a children's bible
I recently received this Bible and haven't read through all of it yet, but am very disappointed by the initial stories I read.The stories emphasize the wrath of God, rather than his forgiveness and are likely to be quite scary for a small child.I would have thought a children's bible would be more uplifting.

The best Children's Bible I've ever seen.
My daughter received this Children's bible on the day of her first communion. She loves it!And so do I. This book presents bible stories in true to bible form, yet easy for the child to understand. The pictures and very nice. It is a wonderful gift for any child. It reads like a story book, and holds the attention of the child. I'd recommend this Chilcren's bible every time! ... Read more

Product Description
All-new original artworks bring to life the timeless stories of the Bible. Retold from the New International Version of the Bible, The New Children's Bible will be a beautiful must-have gift for young readers and their families. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Just what we were looking for...
We kept looking for an age appropriate bible for our seven year old. Most children's bibles were too young for him and the youth bibles were a bit too wordy for him to read. The stories in this bible are challenging enough but not too difficult for him to understand. The illustrations are beautiful. I love the inserts about historical artifacts and places in between stories. Like other DK discovery books, pictures and descriptions of things like pharaohs and the Nile River are included intermittently. It helps my son link the stories with our modern world. Beautiful book overall. ... Read more

Product Description
Children today are no longer expected to be "seen and not heard," yet in many churches children are involved only in programs designated for them. "Children Matter" offers a full discussion of children's spirituality and shows how the faith community can effectively nurture its youngest members.

Speaking from their experience with children's ministry in a range of Protestant traditions, the authors draw on the Bible, history, and psychology to lay good foundations for such ministry before discussing the specific content and contexts of faith formation. Finally, they provide wise and practical advice on putting together interesting programs without losing sight of their main purpose. Rather than focusing on innovative ways to use technology, "Children Matter" emphasizes relationships between people and encourages the church to welcome all children as valued participants in the people of God. It will challenge and refresh anyone invested in ministry with children. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

amazing in-depth intro to children's ministry
Everything I spent ten years learning about children's ministry, these authors have managed to boil down into a FANASTIC resource for church leaders and volunteers.This is an exceptional blending of theory and practice, covering both logistical and philosophical issues.If you want to read just one book about ministry to children, this is it!

useful tool
Children Matter is a useful tool for church education committees to read and study together. It provides a broad overview of the componants ofeducational programing in a parish setting. It introduces aspects of educational ministry that lay persons need to develop an understanding and articulation of today's approach.

I would also reccomend it for college and seminary introduction courses.

Karen Cross
Church Educator

Great ideas for refreshing pilgrimage of a child with God
Although this book is written by a group of educators it is one of the best books I have ever read on children's spirituality and show us with many examples how the faith community can nurture its youngest members.Children Matter emphasized relationships between people and encourages the church to welcome all children as valued participants in the people of God.
A wide range of examples from the Protestant traditions and drawing on the Bible, history and psychology to lay good foundations.The examples were excellent and evualated with strengths and weaknesses for all ages from toddler through grade school.The evidence of teaching is learning; how the children respond, the questions they ask, the attitudes they demonstrate in actual behavior and the way they use Scripture to inform their lives and decisions.

A wide ranges of examples were given from ancient times to the present.The book was exciting in the responses from the children.Anyone who works with children would find this an excellent tool, it has a great bibliography, footnotes, scripture list---you couldn't ask for more.
It left me with a great sense of hope and urgency to give our teachers and parents great tools.

Imagine the faith journey with children as a pilgrimage or dance with God.Explore the contexts in which children live, make an informed and animated commitment to nurture a vibrant faith in your churchs youngest members. Theory and practice are interwoven ---if your church cares that children matter this is the book for you. ... Read more

Product Description
Much of today's literature on children treats the child of any age as a problem or a set of problems to be solved, effectively reducing the child to a complex of biological and chemical factors, explainable in scientific terms, or to someone who is the object of control by adults. In contrast, Martin Marty here presents the child as a mystery who invokes wonder and elicits creative responses that affect the care provided him or her.

Drawing on literature as new as contemporary poetry and as old as the Bible, The Mystery of the Child encourages the thoughtful enjoyment of children instead of the imposition of adult will and control. Indeed, Marty treats the impulse to control as a problem and highlights qualities associated with children -- responsiveness, receptivity, openness to wonder -- that can become sources of renewal for adults.

The Mystery of the Child represents a new tack for Martin Marty -- universally respected as a historian, theologian, and interpreter of religion and culture -- but displays the same incisive, erudite quality marking the fifty-plus books and thousands of articles that Marty has previously written. His broad, thoughtful perspective will inspire readers to think afresh about what it means to be a child and what it means to be a caregiver.

This book is sure to claim a wide readership -- parents, grandparents, teachers, humanists, theologians, historians -- engaging anyone wanting to explore more fully the profound realm of the child. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

An excellent read
I am used to reading a different bype of book from the author and have come to enjoy that type of book immensely. this was a switch and a difficult read for me. The thesis of the book has ably been covered by others. It was worth the effort that it took me to get through the book.Others who are unfamiliar with this type of reading will find it a bit difficult but rewarding.

J. Robert Ewbank, author of "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"

Much needed work on children
This book is one of the results of a research project at Emory University School of Law entitled "The Child in Religion, Law, and Society".This book is unlike the vast majority of books that deal with childhood, children, and parents. It is not a how-to book for parents, and is sharply critical of approaches to children which take them primarily as problems to be solved. The author, Martin Marty, is a historian who argues that while there are problems to be solved regarding children, we should see the child as a mystery surrounded by mystery. It is sometimes difficult to cash out what he means by this, but then that is the nature of mystery I suppose.I think he is onto something very important here, insofar as when we reduce children to their biological, chemical, and physical components, Marty rightly points out that we will miss out on other important factors that make up the child and which should inform our approach to children. Children are biological, chemical, and physical beings, but like other persons I would argue they are also something more than this.It is a mistake to believe that scientific language can fully account for human nature, including the nature of the child. One important implication is that when we understand these things, we no longer see the child as something to be controlled or as something that should often be controlled, but rather as something to also be cherished and enjoyed. This sounds like a cliche, but this is one of those instances, I believe, in which what seems like a platitude to many is more than that. It is a significant truth that should guide our personal, social, and political treatment of children.

Marty's Book Explores Mysteries of the Child
The objects of church historian Martin Marty's affections these days are not philosophical abstractions--they are real children, playing on swings, kicking soccer balls, and trying the patience of their parents.

Children are "the great disrupters, the great interrupters, who humanize us along the way," says Marty, who has crafted his most recent book, The Mystery of the Child (2007, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.), as an antidote to the ubiquitous "how-to" guides for caretakers.

This profound, inspiring examination of the child is the culmination of Marty's stint as co-director of Emory University's Center for the Study of Law and Religion's (CSLR) three-year research project, "The Child in Law, Religion, and Society." It is also part of an eleven-book series on "Religion, Marriage, and the Family," edited by Don S. Browning, Alexander Campbell Professor of Ethics and the Social Sciences Emeritus at the University of Chicago Divinity School, and John Witte Jr., CSLR director and Jonas Robitscher Professor of Law at Emory.

Most writing about children, says Marty, begins with a particular problem that needs to be solved.

"The child is undisciplined, abused, autistic--whatever the case may be, the child in some strange way is reduced," says Marty, a great-grandfather as well as Fairfax M. Cone Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago. "I propose the alternative: that children are mysteries who invoke wonder. Problems have potential solutions, but mysteries don't. The deeper you go, the deeper you go."

As co-director of the child project, Marty began to reflect upon not just the ways children are defined under the law and through religious writings, or how they can best be protected or educated, but on the very essence of the child.

Children, he concludes, are "something more and other than the combination of parental genes--indeed, they are constant sources of inspiration and renewal."

Marty admits to drawing upon his own broad experiences as father of six children (including two who were adopted), nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, although he steers clear of providing personal childrearing anecdotes.

Instead, he uses references from contemporary poetry, religious scripture, philosophy, Christian ethics, psychiatry and biology--as well as heavily quoting other writers who "behold the child as a subject of intrinsic worth"--to construct a wide-ranging exploration of the qualities of responsiveness, receptivity and openness that characterize children's interactions with the world.

Marty urges caretakers to approach children with appreciation and respect instead of as objects to be controlled; he argues for the thoughtful enjoyment of children rather than the arbitrary imposition of adult will. "This is not a book against discipline," Marty emphasizes. "It is simply against beginning with the idea, `My job is to discipline the child.' Don't do that simply by the fact that you're bigger, older, and more powerful."

Education of the child, he says, should be based on imagination, creativity, and playfulness.Children are intuitive philosophers who often ask deeper and more profound questions than they are given credit for: "When a child asks `What's behind the sky?' and you say, `Oh, isn't she cute,' or `That's a dumb question,' you start killing it off."

Marty, who is approaching 80, also encourages adults to maintain a childlike attitude and sense of wonder about the universe. "Aspects of having been a child--or of keeping alive through the senior years something of the being of the child--should color all the phases of later life," he says.

Parents must take special care not to view their children as a hedge against their own mortality, whose lives they can shape and safeguard and preserve. The child, like all else in life, is temporal, and will grow and change, encounter chance and accidents, and "will someday disappear without a trace, be this day in a decade or after millennia."

Marty pauses in the interview to look out his studio window and comment on the sun glinting off Lake Michigan, a moment that is soon gone and will never come again. "You cannot control the mysterious," he writes. "It will always be finally beyond reach."

The only thing to do, he maintains, is to appreciate the child here, in the moment, as she swings, arching her way up toward the fathomless sky.


***

The Center for the Study of Law and Religion is home to world class scholars and forums on the religious foundations of law, politics, and society. It offers expertise on how the teachings and practices of Christianity, Judaism and Islam have shaped and continue to transform the fundamental ideas and institutions of our public and private lives. The scholarship of CSLR faculty provides the latest perspectives, while its conferences and public forums foster reasoned and robust public debate.

The Mystery of the Child
This is an excellent book for people concerned with the development of children, especially those who are Christian.The book does an excellent job of characterizing how viewing children as a 'problem-to-be-solved' can be limiting in how one cares for children.It has helped me look at my own relationship with my children and seeing my children in a more complete context.In addition to opening up the way one cares for children, it also advances a theology of hospitality through the lens of how Jesus saw children.The core ideas of this book are easily extended beyond caring for children to caring for anyone -- after all, we are all children.

I taught an adult Sunday School class from this book.It took about 8 weeks to complete. Most of the adults in the class have young children. The book's ideas stimulated a lot of excellent discussion, but it is a more difficult book to use for a Sunday School class setting because of the density of the material -- expect to spend some extra time distilling the ideas.

The Mystery of the Child
Martin Marty challenges the reader to reflect at deeper levels the state of the child in the 21st century. I found the book to be highly engaging and thought provoking. ... Read more

Product Description
A child needs you. Child advocacy is a most timely and urgent form of discipleship. ... Read more

Product Description

For mothers and fathers who are reading Stormie Omartian’s The Power of Praying® for Your Adult Children, this prayer and study guide presents insightful, interactive questions that further explore God’s Word and His promises. This more in–depth journey offers special prayers and encouragement to lead parents to lift up their adult children and areas of their lives including

• faith and prayer life
• family and relationships
• direction and purpose
• wisdom and integrity
• wholeness and healing

Moms, dads, couples, and parenting groups can find comfort, answers, and incredible blessing as they continue to cover their kids in prayer...even if their kids have children of their own.

Customer Reviews (1)

No what I expected
Love Stormie + the shipping of this item was perfect. However, I did not expect this to be a study guide that required an additional book to go along with it. Until I purchase the book this is useless to me. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Book Explores Vocation of the Child
Does God's calling extend to all people, children included? If so, what is the vocation of the child? A new book sponsored by the Center for the Study of Law and Religion (CSLR) at Emory University seeks to examine these questions.

Edited by distinguished jurist Patrick McKinley Brennan, The Vocation of the Child is a product of the CSLR's research project on the Child in Law, Religion, and Society and is the latest book in the CSLR's Religion, Marriage, and Family book series published by Eerdmans. It features 15 essays from project participants and others concerning the calling of the child and its place within the Christian community.

As part of a larger discussion on children's spiritual and moral formation, The Vocation of the Child looks at such topics as rights, duties, and work; who decides the child's vocation; and innocence, depravity, and hope for the freedom of the child.

Brennan is John F. Scarpa Chair in Catholic Legal Studies at Villanova University School of Law. Contributors from the CSLR include Director John Witte, Jr. and senior fellows Vigen Guroian, Charles J. Reid Jr., and Philip L. Reynolds.

***

The Center for the Study of Law and Religion (CSLR) at Emory University is home to world-class scholars and forums on the religious foundations of law, politics, and society. It offers first-rank expertise on how the teachings and practices of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam have shaped and can continue to transform the fundamental ideas and institutions of our public and private lives. The scholarship of CSLR faculty provides the latest perspectives, while its conferences and public forums foster reasoned and robust public debate. ... Read more

Product Description
In their new book on "difficult" children, child development experts Claudia and David Arp show parents of spirited children how to recognize the eight most common cries for help and what they really mean: "Look at me!" "Did I do good?" "You’re not listening!" "Let me do it my way!" "You can’t make me!" "I hate you!" "I can do it myself!" and "I am a big kid already!" The Arps—with humor, insights from Scripture, and the latest in research—share win-win strategies for nurturing the not-so-compliant child. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Standard advice-nothing special for spirited kids
First, buyers should know this is aimed at Christians. If you don't want to be a Christian, don't buy this book. I am a Christian, so that part didn't bother me. But, the book quotes extensively from other books, and the advice is pretty much the advice all other ordinary books give. The "war stories" gave me comfort that other parents have 8- and 9-year-olds who still throw extreme tantrums, but the book didn't give any real answers to how to teach a child to calm down before exploding.

I found Mary Kurcinka's books to be far more helpful.

Understand what our children are really saying.
Having raised three "spirited" sons I can heartily reccommend Answering the 8 Cries of the Spirited Child.How I wish I'd had this book when I entered my child raising years!Not only do the Arps give us tangible, specific tools to provide understanding, encouragement, boundaries, and a listening ear to our spirited children, but they give us hope for maintaining our sanity as parents.This book is a must read for all parents. ... Read more

Product Description
Too often, children s ministry volunteers say yes to helping out and then are confused about what to do. How do I use curriculum? What if the kids get rowdy? How do I build relationships? This valuable, easy-to-use resource will give every children s volunteer a solid foundation as they begin working in ministry. From basic ideas for getting started, practical tips on classroom management techniques, to help with understanding different age levels, everything a volunteer needs is outlined in these pages. There are also ideas for working with children with special needs, understanding the current tech-savvy generation, keeping kids safe at church, the role of a volunteer in the child s spiritual development, and ideas for self-evaluation. Every church will want a copy of this terrific guide to ensure their children s ministry volunteers get off to the right start, have a successful year, and finish their term of service with passion and enthusiasm. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Ultimate Help for Children's Ministers
This small book is packed with knowledge about what a great children's ministry looks like, and how teachers can be a part of that process. I would highly recommend it to encourage & train children's teachers of all ages. It also will encourage them to hold the "person in charge" accountable, so that they can provide all that the teacher needs to be successful.

Helps with the butterflies
I purchased this book after God led me to volunteer to teach a preschool Sunday school class at church.I am a single man, and have no idea how to teach anyone, let alone children of that age.This book really gave me a lot of insight as to what children in the preschool age group will act like, how they learn, and how to teach them.I mean, this book covers ages from nursery to 6th grade, which is nice since most books stores have are for youth group, meaning Jr. High to High School.I highly recommend this book to anyone teaching Sunday school to children from nursery to 6th grade.It helped calm some of my nerves as to what to do, and how to do it. ... Read more

Product Description
This children's missal provides an eay way of participating at mass for boys and girls. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

My Son Loves It!
We gave this missal to our son for Easter in the hopes of him finding mass more interesting.To be completely honest, he found mass boring and would complain or get in trouble goofing around.He is a wonderful kid that loves God and hated mass.Now he follows along diligently and points out interesting pictures to me.The most shocking part of this gift is he is surprised when mass is over.

I do want to note that if he couldn't read, I'm not sure it would have worked as well.

PERFECT BOOK!
This is the book that I was looking for!!!It has everything that I was looking for in a Children's Missal and more.Great gift and great guide for your child/ren to read during Mass.

A perfect Missal for young Catholics
A children's Missal which is perfect for the younger child, this would make a wonderful First Communion present. Easy to read text makes following the Mass simple and meaningful. A wonderful first missal for young Catholics!

Perfect Missal for the young Catholic
A children's missal which is perfect for the younger child, this would make a wonderful First Communion present. Easy to read text makes following the Mass simple and meaningful. A wonderful first Missal for youngCatholics. ... Read more

Product Description
In this eighth and final volume in his Pulitzer Prize­winning Children of Crisis series, Coles examines the religious and spiritual lives of children. By using children's own words and pictures, Coles presents their deepest feelings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Theologically valuable as well
I read this book from a point-of-view more interested from a theological than psychological (not that these have to be kept separate), and I suspect that EVERYONE who studies theology could benefit from listening to children describe their own spiritualities.

Coles' narration is occasionally insightful, occasionally annoying, always self-conscious. He interviews children alone and in groups, listening and participating in their reflections and conversations. He interviews various races and religions, including chapters on Christian, Jewish, Islamic and secular children in America, the UK, Tunisia and Israel. I found his interviews with Hopi children very provocative.

The book has both intellectual and spiritual value, and I hope it is read more widely than it has been.

Children, Religion, and Science
Robert Coles' insightful study of children's ideas about God and religion also opens an important window on the question of the proper approah of science to religion.Coles appears to struggle personally with this issue,deciding in the end that the scientist may properly take a person'sreligious beliefs at face value.The delightful discussions with childrenthat lead toward this conclusion make compelling reading.

Inner Lives of Children Skillfully Revealed
Although this book was published in 1991, the ideas, attitudes, and spiritual insights of the children interviewed are as fresh and importantas when the discussions first occurred.As adults we tend to dismiss theability of children to offer their own interpretation of the Divine.Thisbook clearly shows that it is frequently the adults that don't "getit."I found it especially appealing that Coles did not limit himselfsolely to children with a Christian background.The inclusion of Muslim,Jewish, and Native American children indicates that children's spiritualitycuts across religious and cultural lines.I only wish Robert Coles hadincluded more interviews and drawings! ... Read more

Product Description
This book provides the foundation for any church to develop a thriving children’s ministry by giving step-by-step guidance and creative application exercises based on Willow Creek’s successful Promiseland ministry and other successful children's ministries from around the world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Great book for those new (and not-so-new) to children's ministry!
This is my second time for reading this book.My first time was when it initially came out and the truths were new and fresh.Now, many years later in ministry, I am re-reading it in order to mentor a Sr. in High School.I thought God led me to this book for her benefit and now I'm finding out it is more for MY benefit.It has been a great reminder of the essentials for ministry to children.

GREAT and INFORMATIVE book!!!
This book is very informative and really gave me a boost in my thinking
of my ministry to our children in my church!
It is just the thing I needed.
It thoroughly covers several set backs and pitfalls that typically occur
in children ministry.

Great Book! Must Read!!
I would recommend this book with high regards to anyone who works with children! This book will help to reset your focus on the importance of children. I think this book is a must read for all children's pastors and anyone who works with children!!

Best Book on Children's Ministry
I highly recommend this book for children's pastors, volunteers, parents, and anyone else actively involved in children's ministry.I just started implementing Willow Creek's model as described in the book and can already see the enthusiasm in the children that attend.

Inspiring
I enjoyed reading the story of how Promiseland started.I appreciated how Sue Miller and David Staal broke down the secrets to their success.The part about thriving in ministry was a message I especially needed to hear because sometimes I try to do it all.Other inspiring parts had to do with recruiting volunteers and forming teams to do ministry together.

A well-written book which inspired me greatly. ... Read more

Product Description
The paper required a lot of research, and Amber didn't know how to go about doing the research."There's nothing to it," I assured her flippantly. Then instead of showing her what she needed to do, I simply told her to get started, explaining that she would figure out how to do the research as she went along.She let out an exasperated sigh. "But Dad, I don't know how to--""Amber, just get started," I insisted with authority, "and you'll figure it out." Then I left the room. (from the introduction)When the author understood his mistake, he was able to go and talk with his daughter. As she vented, he began to understand what a capacity parents have to make their kids angry, and how he could change his approach to communicating with his children to improve their relationship. In the years since Roger Cross has been studying the things parents do that make kids angry, such asplaying favorites having loose or confusing boundaries expecting kids to fill adult roles and more.Drawing on his ministry of Youth for Christ along with a survey of one hundred students of varied ages and backgrounds, Roger Cross has created a practical, helpful book for parents who want to understand why their kids are so angry and what they need to do to change. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Guide for Caring Families
This is a compassionate guide that will help parents, siblings and anyone else who knows someone who identifies as homosexual, or is wondering what to do about same sex attraction. It is easy to read and written as openly as an uncle talking to a nephew. I have known hundreds of people who identify as homosexual and I believe the theory this book is based on to be true. It is logical that boys need to identify with their dads and girls with their moms.

If my parents had read this book when I was a teenager, I would have been contented and heterosexual instead of spending ten years as a lesbian feminist. This is a book of hope regardless of your religous beliefs; parents just have to be humble enough to see the part they have played in the problem, and be willing to change and be forgiven. Loving children both as they are and seeing their true potential, is what this wise book suggests.

I implore you to think twice before you buy this book
I am a licensed clinical psychologist (PhD) and work as a clinician, researcher, and professor. I believe I am well qualified to review this book (probably more qualified than Mr. Cohen was to write it). I am mainly writing this review for the people who might buy this book without being aware that it is not what they think it is.

First, please understand who Mr. Cohen is and is not. He is not a psychologist, psychiatrist, or any kind of legaly recognized mental health professional. He has never been licensed in any state and was booted out of the American Counseling Association for unethical practices/exploiting his patients. One of his most well-known therapeutic techniques involves holding his male patients on his lap. He has repeatedly demonstrated this on national television. His is an evangelical, fundamentalist member of the Unification Church. This church vehemently opposes homosexuality and has compared gay people to "dirty dung-eating dogs."

Second, please be aware that Mr. Cohen's explanation of the "causes" of homosexuality were popular in the 1950s and have since been disproven by a mountain of research. His "reparative therapy" has also been handily discredited and rejected as both ineffective and potentially harmful by the American Psychological Association, American Pychiatric Association, and by all mainstream mental health and medical organizations. Many of the statistics used in this book are outdated, taken out of context, or have been firmly discredited. It is inexscusable for Mr. Cohen to use this incorrect information and, on national television, even he has admitted that some of the information he used is incorrect and should be removed.

If your child has found the impressive courage to come out to you, please work to accept them for who they are. This might take time, but it's well worth it. I've seen many families become so much closer and stronger through this process. Please do not be misled by fringe misinformation and believe that your loved one can or should change. This can be incredibly damaging - I've seen it first-hand.

If you are a parent looking for a book to assist you in navigating this process, please consider Bernstein's book. And think about joining PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). Thanks so much for reading - I wish you all the best.

Insights into the complexity of same sex attractions
I have read and been part of a group of parents of same sex attracted children who have used Richard Cohen's book as a guide to better understand our children and what emotional/psychological pain they are suffering that has so deeply affected all of our lives.The author has lived the life style, come out of it and is eminently qualified to convey all of the elements that lead one to identify as a homosexual. While it is very painful to digest that some of our attitudes, actions or lack thereof was responsible for so much pain for our children, it is freeing and healing to be able to talk to our children about our role then and now and to offer our love and support to them. Our aim is to improve our relationships within our families and to be able to undertand the rejection that plays a part in every same sex attracted person. I believe actual or perceived rejection is the foundation of most of the destructive behaviors of humanity, whether drug, alcohol, gambling,or sexually based. Richard Cohen has a way of communicating that reaches into the hidden parts of the heart of both parents, siblings, and other family members and gives hope for repairing relationships.

Most Helpful Book for Parents with SSA Child
Richard Cohen's book, "Gay Children, Straight Parents" is the most compassionate book written about what it's like to be parents of a child with a same sex attraction. His plan of action is simply he who loves longest wins. He has a concrete plan for loving children back into the family and for healing through never giving up on them. I would recommend this book to every parent who has a child with a same sex attraction. It helped me realize it's really not about sex. It's about a faulty attachment to the same sex parent for a variety of reasons.

THE BEST BOOK OUT THERE FOR FAMILY HEALING: THIS IS A MUST READ!!!
Again, Richard Cohen gives a slam-dunk performance in "Gay Children, Straight Parents." This book is the first of its kind, and helps parents and families with a loved one who has same-sex attractions (SSA).

Whether or not your child ever decides to change from gay to straight, this book will help your family love him/her as they are. Don't believe the lies that say his book is hateful or homophobic; that is simply not true. International Healing Foundation [...] offers help for those individuals and families who have SSA. They help parents and families truly love their SSA children better and Richard Cohen lays out a 12 step model for healing the family through this situation.

It's a loving, compassionate approach for families who do not believe SSA is a normal varient of sexuality, however, Mr. Cohen articulates that even for families whose children choose to accept a gay identity, loving them the right way will make your family closer in the long-run, regardless if they change or not. How gay activists can be against that is beyond me! This is a must read!!! ... Read more