When Michelle Anthony started out as a children’s minister some twenty-five years ago, her idea of children’s ministry was a full menu of church-centered programming headed up by staff and volunteers. She spent years running Vacation Bible Schools, summer camps, Sunday School classes, parent meetings, nursery services and more. Then one day about 12 years in, she came to the conclusion that her work was not establishing lifelong faith in the generation who had grown up under her care. After much prayer and reflection, she discovered what was missing: an intentional plan to equip parents both in their spiritual lives and in their roles as spiritual parents. In Dreaming of More, this teacher and mother of three offers insights and tools for a spirit-driven, family-centered approach to faith formation. Readers will learn about the Seven Pillars of Family Ministry, which provide the foundation for all that follows. Scripturally-based with practical suggestions, this book urges and equips the Church and its leaders to attend to the family as the center of faith formation. Each chapter ends with a Reflect-Respond-Dream study guide. This book is primarily addressed to children’s ministry leaders.

Reviewed by Marie F. Fleming