Helping Parents and Church Leaders Make Investments That Keep Children and Teens Connected to the Church for a Lifetime
Dr. Steve R. Parr, Dr. Tom Crites
WestBow Press · 2015
TheoScope Rating
Theological soundness · worldview · content
Steve Parr is associated with the Georgia Baptist Convention, giving the book a Southern Baptist institutional context, though the research and recommendations are framed broadly enough to apply across evangelical traditions. The book's value lies primarily in its empirical methodology rather than theological argumentation.
Age & Family Safety
Safe and appropriate for children
Suitable for teens and young adults
Written at a level adults can engage with
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Do you want your children to be actively serving in the local church when they turn thirty and beyond? Why The Stay can help! Much has been written about younger adults and their departure from church involvement. Concerned parents and church leaders want to know what has caused them to depart. Instead of asking why young adults are leaving the church, Parr and Crites conducted a national research project of those who grew up in church and are still serving faithfully. They studied why they have stayed and the results are compelling. You will learn as a parent, pastor, or church leader specific actions that you can take to make a definitive difference in whether or not the fifteen-year-olds attending your church now are still attending and serving when they turn thirty.
You will discover:
fifteen factors that make a great difference in the
likelihood that children and teens will remain in church as adults
ten issues that make somewhat of a difference in lifetime involvement
five surprises that do not make as much difference as you might think
the greatest gap discovered in the ministry focus of a church
actions you can take as a parent that greatly increase the likelihood your children will remain faithful to church when they are adults
strategies church leaders can implement that increase the probability that children and youth-group members will serve in the church as adults
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Theological
Does it accurately handle Scripture?
Is the teaching substantive and doctrinally grounded?
Usefulness
Does it reflect a Great Commission mindset?
Will it help readers grow in faith and obedience?
Does it present the gospel clearly?
TheoScope Score = Biblical Faithfulness 85% · Theological Depth 15%