Robbie F. Castleman

Bridging Theory and Practice in Children's Spirituality

Children & Youth

“Bridge” is an apt description of the chapters in this book which work to connect the theoretical and academic with a variety of practical approaches to the spiritual formation of children and those in ministry with them. Let these chapters become conversation partners to help you examine your own assumptions and practices regarding race, privilege, family faith practices, spiritual formation, and inclusion of those with special needs and differing abilities. Rev. Dr. Elizabeth F. Caldwell, adjunct faculty, Vanderbilt Divinity School and author of Wondering about the Bible with Children This book builds a well-constructed bridge from biblical foundations and educational theories to a multitude of practices in which every person in a congregation is involved in the Christian discipleship of children. The team of diverse writers are bridge builders who have crossed this bridge many times as insightful teachers and well-tested practitioners. From engaging children with age-sensitive and creative ideas for dealing with the ABC’s of the gospel to often-neglected areas of children’s ministry like grief, disappointment, and racial prejudice, this book will help educators, teachers, leaders and volunteers in children’s ministry give children a head start at lifelong discipleship.”

Dr.

Forming Resilient Children

Children & Youth

“Forming Resilient Children is a fresh, honest, and deeply valuable resource for anyone whose work includes the care, mentoring, sheltering, counseling, teaching, adopting, fostering, or parenting of children. True stories enhance the insights, research, and practice that Holly Allen has done so well from Sunday school to university classrooms, from African villages to inner-city America, from the fragility of infants to troubled teens. This book is a valuable guide to helping families, congregations, counselors, and teachers equip children with the resilience needed to live well-shaped lives in a world so often out of shape!”

Keeping Kids Christian

Church Leadership & Ministry

“This book is a must-read for parents, pastors, and congregations who need help with what it takes to intentionally partner with God’s Spirit to create in children and their families a discipleship that lasts a lifetime. As challenging as it is practical and helpful, it gives clear and compelling ways to foster multigenerational relationships in congregations that nurture a maturity of faith for all God’s children. Keeping Kids Christian offers a robust corrective to the viral dechurching of twenty-somethings walking out of the sanctuary and never returning.”

Kingdom Come

Christian Living

“Reading Kingdom Come was an invigorating reminder that the Bride of Christ has plenty to do to get ready for the wedding! And plenty to think about too. This book is an all-too-rare place where ministry and scholarship serve each other not only well, but with joy!”

Moms at the Well

Bible Studies & Devotionals

“As I began to read Moms at the Well, I was hooked by the introduction! I teach a women's Bible study with lots of young mothers, and I look forward to gifting each of them with a copy of this book! Moms today experience a loneliness and a sense of helplessness that this delightfully honest book recognizes. Based on Scripture and made readable and interactive by design, this book reads like fresh water for thirsty moms!”

Moms on the Way

Bible Studies & Devotionals

“I lead a Bible discussion twice a month for a small group of busy moms—it's considered a good month if a mom makes it to both! Moms on the Way is a gift of grace and common sense as well as a guide for deepening discipleship to help us breathe as well as pray while following Jesus and changing diapers!”

Surviving Ministry

Church Leadership & Ministry

“Surviving Ministry could be renamed Thriving Ministry, but that would defeat the purpose of this compelling book about the significant challenges, heartbreaks, blessings, pains, joys, good moments, and will-this-never-end hard seasons that are the reality of pastoral ministry. Mike Osborne--in sharp, sometimes humorous, but unfailingly humble, honest, and helpful prose--speaks the truth in love. [This book] is a must-read for pastors, seminarians, congregational leaders, and laity.”

The Grandparenting Effect

Marriage, Family & Relationships

“Let’s get ‘RE&AL’ about grandparenting is the mantra of The Grandparenting Effect: ‘Relationally Engaged’ and ‘Always Listening’! Well-documented research, thoughtful advice, engaging stories from a wide variety of grandparenting situations, helpful chapter summaries, ideas for grandchildren from toddlers to adults—plus prayers and bridge stories as well as timely help for conversations with grandchildren about race and cultural differences—this is an insightful and practical book for grandparents (volunteers, too!), pastors, and church educators to bridge the generational gap with wisdom and joy!”