It's Just a Phase--So Don't Miss It: Why Every Life Stage of a Kid Matters and at Least 13 Things Your Church Should Do About It

Every church knows that kids matter.

A better question is, does your church act like every kid matters at every phase?

A phase is a timeframe in kids' lives when you can leverage distinctive opportunities to influence their future. That means the whining infant, the dramatic fifth grader, and the stressed-out tenth grader are not just going through a phase that should be wished away. Instead, they are transitioning through a critical phase that you are called to discover, celebrate, and navigate strategically with them.

This book presents a challenge to churches to treat every kid who breathes like they are made in the image of God.

When you keep acting like every kid and teenager has the potential

... to believe, imagine, and love

... to care, relate, and trust

... to reason, improve, and lead

It can change ...

how the parents next door see your church.

how the elders value teenagers.

how the executive staff views children and youth ministry.

how you organize what you do every week.

how first graders see themselves.

But more importantly ...

it can change how every kid sees God, and that could change every kid's future.

__________

One thing that robs kids of their childhood is the phrase, "I can't wait until ...." In a culture where everybody wants to hurry through to what is next, It's Just a Phase "presses pause" and reminds leaders to pay attention to what's critical in every stage so kids will know they matter. Caz McCaslin, President and founder, Upward Sports

This is a crash course in child development that could radically change the way the church relates to kids and teenagers. Kristen Ivy, Reggie Joiner, and the Orange team have once again done the hard research and work to make it easier for the rest of us.Sherry Surratt, CEO, MOPS International

If you are a youth leader, you need to study both Scripture and your students. Ivy and Joiner have given us an amazing tool to transfer sound theology to the hearts of the next generation, one phase at a time. Kara Powell, Executive Director, Fuller Youth Institute

The first step in reaching the next generation is building a team that places high value on the next generation. It's Just a Phase is one of the best resources to keep that team on the same page, fighting for the hearts of kids and teenagers. Every staff should make this required reading. Mark Batterson, lead pastor, National Community Church, Washington, DC, and New York Times bestselling author

Parents and church leaders both usually overestimate the time they have and underestimate their influence. You will love how this book helps you, as a leader or a parent, leverage both time and influence at every stage of the adventure. Carey Nieuwhof, lead pastor, Connexus Church, Toronto

Reggie Joiner is the founder and CEO of The reThink Group (also known as Orange, ThinkOrange.com), a nonprofit organization that provides resources and training to help churches maximize their influence on the spiritual growth of the next generation. One of the founding pastors of North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia, he is the author and co-author of ten books, including Think Orange, Seven Practices of Effective Ministry, Lead Small, and Creating a Lead Small Culture. Reggie and his wife, Debbie, are the parents of four children: Reggie Paul, Hannah, Sarah, and Rebekah. For more information about Reggie Joiner, visit ReggieJoiner.com or follow him on Twitter @ReggieJoiner.

Kristen Ivy is executive director of messaging at The reThink Group. Before beginning her career at the company in 2006, she was a high school biology and English teacher, where she learned firsthand the joy and importance of influencing the next generation. She received her Master of Divinity in 2009. Kristen is co-author of Playing for Keeps and Creating a Lead Small Culture. She and her husband, Matt, have two children, Sawyer and Hensley. For more information about Kristen Ivy, visit KristenIvy.com or follow her on Twitter @Kristen_Ivy.