Description
How do we, as the church community, support parents and caregivers as they seek to raise children in faith? Janssen, Crutchfield, Lee, and Young Brown pose this question of faith formation experts from various cultural and faith tradition perspectives, who offer accessible wisdom for meeting today’s challenges. Recognizing that faith formation is not limited to only the booming Sunday Schools of yesteryear, these authors’ reflections offer accessible ways of putting theories about faith formation into practice in your context. Whether you are a pastor, parent, caregiver, teacher, or a churchgoer interested in helping with children and youth, this book offers timeless guidance on raising faithful kids!
Reviews
"Growing Together is the book that every parent and caregiver needs if they want to take a more active role in the faith development of children. This book not only offers valuable wisdom but also accessible resources from diverse theological voices and experiences. This text is a starting point for parents and caregivers to see the importance and power of the combination of theory and practice. In these pages lie rich opportunities to support, challenge, affirm, and encourage children in inclusive, real, and relevant ways. Editors Denise Janssen, Carmichael D. Crutchfield, Virginia A. Lee, and Jessica Young Brown have put together a necessary resource for parents and caregivers who not only care about children’s faith formation but want to turn that care into action." —Lakisha R. Lockhart-Rusch, Associate Professor of Christian Education, Union Presbyterian Seminary
Author Bio
Denise Janssen, MDiv, PhD, is Associate Research Professor of Christian Education and Assistant Dean for Academics at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond. An ordained American Baptist Churches, USA minister, Denise has served as pastor of several United Methodist and American Baptist congregations.
Dr. Jessica Young Brown is a licensed clinical psychologist focused on the intersection of faith and mental health. She works to help individuals and organizations seek wellness by exploring God's intentions for us to be healthy and whole.
Carmichael D. Crutchfield, DMin, PhD, is Vice President of Academic Affairs and Academic Dean, Clara Scott Chair of Church and Ministry, Professor of Christian Education, Spiritual Formation, and Youth Ministry at Memphis Theological Seminary. He is an ordained Elder in full connection of the CME Church. He also serves as General Secretary of The Department of Christian Education and Formation of the CME Church.
Rev. Dr. Virginia A. Lee is Associate Professor of Christian Education, Director of Deacon Studies, and Director of the Master of Arts in Faith, Culture, and Educational Leadership at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. Her primary teaching revolves around child advocacy and centering the voices and experiences of children. She enjoys reading, crocheting, walking, and playing with and learning from her ten great-nieces/nephews.