Postmodern Children's Ministry: Ministry to Children in the 21st Century Church (Book)
Ivy Beckwith, Author.  Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2004.

Youth and children today, often labeled "millenials" or "adaptives," are of a postmodern generation. Ivy Beckwith offers advice on how to minister to and with these children and their families.

She begins by explaining postmodern sensibilities. In her view, these sensibilities emerge as assumptions previously thought to be indisputable begin to shift. For example, postmoderns have a natural resistance to absolutes—a resistance that may have direct implications for teaching the tenets of faith.

Characteristics of millenials include the following: their births were largely wanted and planned for by their parents, their safety is important, computer technology is a natural part of their lives, they are intentional, and they have grown up with multi-tasking and multiple sensory stimuli. They tend to be tolerant of differences, believe strongly in individual choice, and are experience-oriented.

Beckwith draws from the work of Erik Erickson, James Fowler, and Larry Richards to discuss how children and their faith develop. She emphasizes the importance of children being full participants in a faith community, as well as the importance of ministry to and with entire families. She also notes some needed distinctions in approaching Bible study with children and the role of children in communal worship.

Exploring foundational principles for holistic children’s ministry, this book offers helpful summaries of faith development while presenting new perspectives for ministers to consider. Useful to those working directly with children, it can also be a beneficial starting point for further thinking and evaluation by congregational leaders.

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