Developing spiritual leaders.. book review

My husband and I have two children with big dreams.  As any parent would, we will fight for them to realize these dreams, sacrificing whatever is needed.  But if they only strive towards their own goals, they will fall far short.  Professional success does not equal contentment.  We want to raise children to change the world.  We know that we are not alone.

There are many parents like us out there.  It is our commitment and challenge to, “Tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.”  (Psalm 78:4) We would all claim that we want our children to know Christ and to make Christ known in their world, but there is a grave problem staring back at us.

Julie Ferwerda documents this problem in her book One Million Arrows.The Barna Group’s statistical findings state that today’s Christian parents rely on the church to do most (if not all) of their children’s religious training.  Not only that, but they have no plan for the spiritual development of their children; they do not consider it a priority in their homes and daily lives; they do not have any spiritual goals for their families.

While submitting her manuscript to publishers for consideration, Julie received a rejection letter from a prominent Christian family ministry. While this publishing house loved the concept of the book, they stated that Christian parents seldom follow through in their commitment to “real life” spiritual training.  Therefore, the book would not have a market in publication.
Not a market for publication?  You have got to be kidding me!  Parents, if we are not committed to developing spiritual leaders in the home, then who is?  The next generation is going to be spiritually bankrupt if we do not start putting actions to our words.  And just for the record, I am speaking as much to myself as to anyone else out there.

We have got some prioritizing to do.  Is the world going to change our children?  Or are they going to change the world?  Without question, One Million Arrows is one of the best books that I have ever read on parenting.  It is a call to action for parents to be deeply committed to the spiritual training of their children and to live beyond individualistic mediocrity. (Review by Kristen Charles- Ministry-to-Children)

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