Exploring and Engaging Spirituality for Today’s Children
A Holistic Approach
Foreword by Shirley Morgenthaler
Imprint: Wipf and Stock
Exploring and Engaging Spirituality for Today's Children: A Holistic Approach answers questions about the most effective ways to help children, pre-teens, and teens develop spiritually. This collection of research gleaned from presentations during the Fourth Triennial Children's Spirituality Conference at Concordia University in 2012 is divided into four major sections: (1) theological and historical foundations, (2) engaging parents and congregations, (3) engaging methodologies, and (4) exploring children at risk, child pornography, social justice, intercultural diversity, and abstinence education.
Researchers acknowledge that the home is the foundation for Christian nurture. In Exploring and Engaging Spirituality for Today's Children, both scholars and ministry leaders come together with parents to promote a holistic environment where children are encouraged to love, respect, and obey God. From birth to high school, children's voices resonate throughout these studies as they are invited to share their reflections and experiences. Exploring and Engaging Spirituality for Today's Children is a lively, easy-to-read collection that reflects a broad range of faith traditions and is ideal for all those who are committed to the spiritual development of children.
La Verne Tolbert, PhD, is Director of the Society for Children's Spirituality: Christian Perspectives. She is also the author of Teaching Like Jesus: A Practical Guide to Christian Education in Your Church.
"Rich insights from Scripture, church history, research with children, the social sciences, and the practices of persons ministering with children shed light on how to interact with children in ways that nurture their faith. Several authors share from their first-hand experiences of engaging children in new ways of spending time with God through reflection, listening, and worship. Social justice issues that impact children are also examined. The breadth of the topics and the spiritual and theoretical perspectives explored in this book make this an excellent resource for students as well as for those who are currently engaged in ministry with children."
--Catherine Stonehouse, Professor Emeritus, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY