The Fabulous Reinvention of Sunday School by Aaron Reynolds
I can think of only one word to sum up what I thought of this book: Fabulous!
Honestly. Last week someone on my staff gave me this book. Although I have a creative streak, usually my administrative tendencies crowd out that part of my personality. Knowing that Willow Creek highly values and usually sets the standard on using the “arts” in ministry… I initially wasn’t interested. I figured this would be a book I would skim. No, really. Any book that is purposely filled with funny and weird sketches on almost every page is enough to make we want to sit in front of CSPAN all day. I think my deal was that I just don’t like using drama and arts in the context of children’s ministry because from my experience, it is usually crappy! So, I wasn’t really interested.
That very night I was up late doing some work. It was 1:00 AM (yes, I don’t have kids yet) and I wasn’t quite ready to turn in for the night, so I pulled out this book. Finally at 3:30 AM I put the book down because I knew I was going to be trashed the next day if I didn’t get at least 4 hours of sleep. One word… AMAZING! Totally not what I expected. Yes, the book is full of information about drama and the arts… but it’s so much more than that. Simply put, it’s completely about the most important part of what I do every weekend, the 20 to 25 minutes when I take God’s word and give it to the kids who attend my service. This book is about maximizing that time, ensuring that it is a moment that will stick with them for longer than 20 minutes after they leave. Never have I read a book like this. It’s theoretical, it’s practical and man is it funny. I caught myself laughing out loud time and time again. Aaron (the author) has definitely been there and done that as I identified with many of the moments us children’s ministers live on a regular basis.
Content covers everything from setting a stage, great prop ideas, lighting secrets, rehearsal plans, critique forms, sound ideas and so much more. As a speaker who constantly wants to get better, Arron gave me great new ideas of what to do with my hands, where to be when I’m making my big point, and what to do when those infamous 5th grade boys start a secret conversation of their own in the back. If that weren’t enough, Aaron filled the pages with examples that he’s used that put you right there in the middle of the application. He’s also included a huge appendix filled with great resources so that I can do what he wrote about.
I just finished reading this book. I plan to read it again next week. Yesterday I bought 15 more for my staff and some key leaders. If you work with elementary kids (preschool too… there’s a great section on preschool programming), you must have this book. Read it, soak it in and then put it into practice. I feel that this book will be one of the most influential books in the children’s ministry at my church.
Okay, I guess I need to buy this book. You are the third person this week to recommend it! Thanks, enjoy your blog!
Sounds great. I went to promiseland for a conference, I love Willow Creek. I am going to buy it right now!
Oh! After reading this blog i got a great interest on this book. I am eager to read the book. Its really a good review. Just before i have read a fascinating site of online book reviews which was too good. I think they will really be useful to you and i suggest them to you. If you are looking for them then here is the great list of online book review sites. Online book reviews
Can I say that reading this book changed my life? No, it’s not the Bible, but it comes in pretty close second….lol….
I was so taken by the DVD that came with my book order that my jaw was on the floor. The DVD captures Aaron at a workshop “doing his thing” – traning teachers. It is AMAZING. Unfortunately, the DVD is only available if you order 4 books at a time from CBD, and I’m not sure if they’re even still offering it anymore (this was in the spring.)
Because of seeing him in action and being totally thumped on the head of “yeah, you all can do this!” I quickly got in touch with him and he is coming to do a workshop here at our church outside Philly on December 1st. Needless to say, I am very excited! Should be a blast.
Get the book, read the book, get everyone you know who is in children’s ministry a copy, and let it transform how you teach. Let them see how the God you present on Sunday can make a difference in their life on Monday.