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by Cameron S. Shaffer (Author), Jake Meador (Foreword by)
How Do We Keep the Next Generation in the Faith?
- A fresh approach to keeping children in the church and equipping them to grow as disciples
- Emphasizes the importance of integrating kids into corporate worship and taking advantage of intergenerational activities
- Both theologically sound and practical for real life
As both a pastor and a parent, Cameron S. Shaffer is alarmed by the mass exodus of young people from the church over the past couple decades. The rise of the Nones and exvangelicals is clear evidence that our current children's and youth ministry practices are ineffective and must change if we want to stem the tide of dechurching. Whatever we're doing now is not creating lifelong disciples.
Combining biblical and theological insights with the latest sociological research, Shaffer presents a comprehensive and compelling case not for retooling the system of child discipleship we already have in place but for reevaluating and reshaping it entirely. He explains just how conversion works, the importance of parental involvement, and the necessity of keeping kids and youth in church and involved with the whole community of faith rather than continually sending them away to do youth-centered activities. He also covers the big question of how to keep young people committed to their faith when they grow up, go to college, enter the workforce, and start families of their own.
In this thoughtful book, pastors, children's and youth ministers, church leaders, and Christian parents alike will find a clear path forward to keep kids Christian and keep them involved in the church.
Author Biography
Cameron S. Shaffer (PhD candidate, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) is the senior pastor of Langhorne Presbyterian Church in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, and serves on the board of directors for the World Reformed Fellowship. He has written for a number of online magazines and journals, including Reformation21 and Mere Orthodoxy.
