Title Tuesday: Parenting in the Pew

Welcome to  Title Tuesday, my favorite day of the week! This day is dedicated to book suggestions and reviews. I write this portion of my blog because I am a big believer in the motivational speaker Charlie Jones' quote which says, "You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.” I try to meet as many new people as possible and to read everything I can. This is my way of sharing that information with you. If you are interested in understanding my rating system for books you can read my Book Review Explanation here and What I Believe here.

Today I want to tell you about a book that made me want to stand up and cheer. I mean it! Reading through Parenting in the Pew nearly brought me to tears on more than one occasion, and here is why. My entire experience in the church as a parent has been wrought with strife. I felt constantly at odds with my surroundings. I was uncomfortable with the nursing room, the ugly glances from people in the service if my child made a sound, and the idea of strangers (even well intention-ed) caring for my sons. I have spent the last two years (literally since the first Sunday after William was born!) trying to nail down this feeling, trying to be able to explain it to other people and I just didn't have the words. 

Enter, Robbie Castleman and her book Parenting in the Pew.

Mrs. Castleman uses wisdom, wit, and the Word of God to give a solid argument to what I have been feeling for years.  I believe that children deserve more than being separated from the rest of the body of Christ. Robbie nails this one on the head with her argument of how will you grow if you are only surrounded by people your own age? Castleman explains why children should be in the pew, and how to do it well. She is cheerful and clear in her writing which provides focus for parents that may be struggling with the issue of "children's church".  

I think we have a lot we can learn from our children and I think we do them a disservice to say you aren't mature enough to worship God. Castleman does an excellent job of encouraging and equipping parents to bring thier children out of the vegetable laden world of children's church and into the presence of God. I give  Parenting in the Pew a solid A+ and I strongly recommend anyone with children to go read it immediately!