In Depth:  Catherine MacKenzie

Catherine MacKenzie

It is quite exciting these days to see the increasing variety and selection of resources available for children’s ministry.

The variety of formats is particularly encouraging – from audio books to animation as well as websites and apps, alongside traditional print – we have many different ways to teach God’s word and share the gospel.

Catherine MacKenzie

We see the beauty of God and His creation in many ways – one way is through His people.

Take for example the life story of Joni Eareckson Tada (ISBN 978 1 527 110 533), one of The Hall of Faith series – a set of biographies that have been packaged for older teens and adults. With a sophisticated look, Joni’s story is short and easy to read, making this an ideal choice for the young adult in your life.

Catherine MacKenzie

A kids’ camp needs a team: someone with a flair for administration, another with a talent for drama; and don’t forget the cook, the minibus driver and a first aider! You rarely get all in the same person. It’s the same with children’s books.

You will often find that one title is educational, another has a better narrative, still another has good resources, but the next one has excellent application.

Catherine MacKenzie

We all know what it’s like to see our favourite book made into a movie – the delight when it’s done well, the frustration when it’s not. But let me introduce you to some writers who have taken well-known Christian hymns as their inspiration for a children’s book.

The first is by Sinclair B. Ferguson: Jesus Strong and Kind (ISBN 978 1 527 110 007). Ferguson has taken the key theological points from Colin Buchanan’s much-loved children’s hymn and dug deeper into God’s word showing where the truths of
these lyrics are rooted.

Catherine MacKenzie

1 Corinthians 2:9 says that no one can imagine what heaven is going to be like! But thankfully the Bible has plenty to say.

Catherine MacKenzie

The Bible is important. Is that an understatement? Probably.

But we need to face truths like this in our families and churches. Ecclesiastical architecture clearly points out where preaching was central to worship simply by the position of the pulpit. When it is front and centre the preaching of God’s word was held in high regard.