Raised to Stay
- Church Leadership & Ministry
- Prayer & Spiritual Formation
- Publisher: David C. Cook
FritzSearch.com earns a commission on purchases made through Bookshop.org links.
Publisher's Description
An honest exploration of disappointment with the Church, Raised to Stay is for anyone weary of God’s people but longing to keep their faith in God. God might seem silent right now. God’s people might seem not worth the wounds. But hold on as Natalie Runion embarks on a journey for all who are wandering, wondering, and wrestling. Together, we will move toward trusting God again, knowing that even though Christian community may fail us, the love of God never fails. When we say yes to God, we don’t say yes to church politics, ladder climbing, or burnout. We say yes to Jesus. We say yes to hope. We say yes to much that we can still embrace. Through honest words and deeply personal story, Runion challenges us to be part of a generation known for the passionate pursuit of Christ. To be remembered for loving one another, forgiving one another, and persevering with one another in our hunger for God. We aren’t quitters. We are the stayers. Notes about eBook licensing: This David C Cook digital product is protected by copyright laws and is intended for non-commercial use only. Your use is subject to the End User License Agreement (“EULA”) and any additional terms or restrictions that may accompany the product. Digital products cannot be returned, sold, or relicensed. See the EULA for additional terms related to replacement files. About the Author Natalie Runion lives in Colorado with her husband, Tony, and her sweet daughters. She is the pastor of women and creative pastor of family ministry at New Life Church and creator of the Raised to Stay Community (@raisedtostay).
Endorsements (11)
“In a generation that is wandering and restless, Natalie’s honesty and transparency lead us all back to the path of pursuing Christ above all else.”
“Natalie gives us an honest look at the local church and encourages us to embrace the challenges of belonging to a congregation. You will love her honest wit and her prophetic imagination, and hopefully, you will find yourself being captivated again by the power of gathering with God’s imperfect people.”
“Stay with Jesus—that’s what I hear Natalie saying over and over again in this book. She understands the weariness, the wounds, and the inclination to wander that we carry, and she is careful to distinguish between them. There are no blanket prescriptions or easy answers. This book is an invitation to wrestle with God, as the people of God have always done. I was hooked by her storytelling; I laughed at her brilliant, witty phrases; and I was moved by her message.”
“More than ever it feels like an appointed time for the Church—not to shrink back or walk away, but to shine brighter than ever. When it comes to speaking truth with great understanding and conviction, Natalie does so from a place of love for both the people and the house of God. Deeply encouraging and empowering, these pages tenderly disarm the disappointment of the past and take you by the hand toward real hope, a new joy, and the revival of a Church truly equipped for all that God wants to accomplish. Filled with her personal story, and powerful revelation, Natalie offers prophetic and practical insight into the journey of moving from hurt to healing and pursuing the call of God once more. While thousands today are justifying why it’s okay to leave, this book is not only an invitation to stay but also an encouragement to fall in love with Jesus and his Church once more, and to dare to build again.”
“What a refreshing and challenging book. If you have ever been part of the ‘I think I want to quit’ club, this book will speak deeply to your heart. Natalie writes bravely about her own journey navigating church hurt and gives a fresh perspective to a God idea that is currently very counterculture: STAYING and persevering. As lead pastors, we believe that this message could not be more timely to the body of Christ, and we pray that every church pastor and leader takes the time to read this book.”
“Natalie is an important voice to help us better engage church trauma in ourselves and for the promotion of greater love, care, and justice for our neighbors. This book serves as a welcome mat into deeper conversation on an incredibly nuanced subject, especially if you’re just getting started.”
“Natalie Runion is up to something here! She’s a church kid, born for the house of God, raised running the aisles, with sacred stories to share. She loves the Church, she’s calling us to stay, and she’s working to help the heartbroken find home again among the people of God. I pray that your hearts would be stirred and that Natalie’s prayers would be answered!”
“hurt and gives a fresh perspective to a God idea that is currently very counterculture: STAYING and persevering. As lead pastors, we believe that this message could not be more timely to the body of Christ, and we pray that every church pastor and leader takes the time to read this book.”
“Sometimes it is hard to love the church. While pain is a normal part of any human relationship, there is something especially disillusioning when it comes at the hands of a Christian. For many of us, this grief raises a difficult question: How do I take the pain seriously without the pain taking me out? Thankfully, this book has the answer. With raw honesty, tender compassion, deep conviction, and unrelenting hope, Natalie Runion speaks the kind of truths you can only hear from someone who ‘gets it.’ This book ministered to me profoundly, and I know it will minister to countless others as well.”
“What people are saying about … Raised to Stay “When a book has me weeping in the first few pages, I know it’s going to be great. As I read through Raised to Stay, it was as if Natalie articulated every thought, conversation, and prayer with the Lord I have had about the church over the past twenty years. She was on point on every level. This book is so necessary for today’s culture. So many people are deconstructing the church with no intention of seeing it rebuilt. I believe more than ever that if we as believers allow God to heal our wounds and show us his blueprint for how to build the church his way, we will truly see a beautiful bride of Christ that Jesus is coming back for. Thank you for penning words that will help people heal and fall in love with the church again.”
“Sharon Hodde Miller, author of The Cost of Control “In an era of cancel culture, the message of this book is a fresh drink of holy water. I, too, was raised in the church, and I’ve worked in the Christian music industry for the last twenty-six years. I have my stories of both healing and heartbreak. I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. But I know Natalie’s words are true. This is the Bride of Christ we are talking about! In process on this side of heaven, just like me. Imperfect and learning how to love, how to grow, how to forgive. While the wrestle may be tough sometimes, we know there’s gonna be amazing redemption one way or another. I want to be a part of that redemption story. Family is always worth fighting for. Thank you, Natalie. You have so bravely wielded words that have awakened my heart and defied culture in all the right ways.”
See something wrong on this page? Report a problem