Product Description

"Daddy, I'd like you to meet my children."

That's Robbie Castleman's attitude about taking her children to church. Sunday morning isn't a success if we have only managed to keep the kids quiet. There's more to church for kids than trying out their new coloring books. Children are at church for the same reason as Mom and Dad: for the privilege of worshiping God.

Because we are created to praise God both now and forever, we must take our children's worship seriously. Worship, Robbie writes, is "the most important thing you can ever train your child to do." With infectious passion, nitty-gritty advice and a touch of humor, she shows us how we can help our children (from toddlers to teenagers) enter into worship.

This expanded edition includes two new appendixes on the important issues of hyperactive children in worship and children's church for seekers. It also provides a study guide for personal reflection or group discussion. More than ever, Parenting in the Pew is essential reading for parents and worship leaders who want to help children make joyful noises to the Lord.

"Robbie Castleman does wonders in this book! Her biblically grounded theology and experientially tested practical ideas give us wonderful suggestions that deepen our own participation in worship, even while we help children truly worship instead of merely keeping quiet. This book is essential-for pastors, Sunday school teachers, youth leaders, parents and every other member of the congregation (since we all are responsible for forming the church's offspring). The Christian community could be changed by this book; read it avidly and give it to everyone you know." Marva J. Dawn, author of Is It a Lost Cause? Having the Heart of God for the Church's Children and Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #25338 in Books
• Published on: 2002-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 139 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780830823406
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

About the Author
Robbie Castleman, a mother of two sons, is assistant professor of biblical studies at John Brown University and the national director for the Religious & Theological Studies Fellowship with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. She is the author of True Love in a World of False Hope and several Bible study guides. She and her husband live in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.

Customer Reviews

Parenting in the Pew
Parenting in the Pew is part memoir and part practical theology as a pastor's wife grapples with issues regarding children and the public worship service. For individuals and churches who are questioning participating in children's ministry programs through elementary school, Parenting in the Pew will provide food for thought and conviction that it is good, right and worthwhile for children to worship with their parents.

For those who already worship as a family or have minimal children's programming, Parenting in the Pew provides encouragement and helpful reminders that the point of having children in worship is to worship, and not to have them sit perfectly still so everyone knows you are the best parent in the room. That can be very important to hear.

Castleman believes that children can be expected to sit through the whole worship service at about age four and everything but the sermon by about two and a half. She does not advocate having children color or look at other books during the worship service. So, if you are looking for practical advice on how to keep your toddler quiet and busy, this book will not meet that need!

I'm glad this book was written and I think it's helpful for the church as a whole. It may or may not be a must-read for your family. I enjoyed her personal style, but she delved into personal beliefs I don't share at a few points, so I would not commend all of her theology. I don't think it was a waste of my time, but I admit, I was looking for toddler tips!

A novel approach to Parenting in the Pew
The suggestions in this book are novel yet simple to apply. These tips have transformed our worship experience. Instead of finding tips to entertain or distract children, Castleman demonstrates how to engage children in the service and how this effort enhances the parent's worship, to boot! Thank you, Robbie Castleman. I recommend this book to parents of all denominations who wish to share their love of God with their children.

Invaluable for teaching families how to worship together.
We are using Parenting in the Pew as the basis for a series of seminars for parents and children. Castleman rightly puts the focus on worshiping God and not "what we can get out of it" or "how to keep kids still." She says that while we often say "Bless my soul, O Lord," the Scripture says "Bless the Lord, O my soul." Rev. Cynthia O'Brien, Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, Fairview, Portland, Oregon