Belonging and Becoming: Creating a Thriving Family Culture

Review "Mark and Lisa Scandrette . . . understand the challenges and cast a vision of what the family can be in Belonging and Becoming. They offer wisdom from the joys and struggles of their own experiences as parents in the ministry and practical guidance for creating a healthy and deeply rooted family culture." -- Facts Trends, Fall 2016"So unique is their life, if only one percent of our citizenry would live with the imagination and intentionality that Mark and Lisa Scandrette do, the world would be a demonstrably better place. With Belonging and Becoming, the Scandrettes build on the bedrock of their twenty-five year marriage and their winsome, faithful work of caring for people and place. We cannot endorse this couple too highly. They represent a way of being and doing that exceeds admirable, landing at 'Wow!'" -- Andi Ashworth and Charlie Peacock, writer and record producer, cofounders of Art House America"So happy this book was written, so mad it wasn't written thirty years ago! I know that Mark and Lisa did not just write this book, but they have also lived it. And in the living of it, they make room for various expressions of the values-based, thoughtful approach to parenting that we all aspire to. Our world, our neighborhoods, and our souls will be the richer for the reading and practice of these pages." -- Nancy Ortberg, author of Looking for God"Mark and Lisa Scandrette offer tangible hope for families by both their example and their wise instruction in Belonging and Becoming. They articulate ways families can live toward God's justice and goodness in the world as well as support one another in mutual thriving. They embrace the internal and external call of each family to love one another and be a blessing to the entire neighborhood. As a parent and practitioner, I appreciate the rich vocabulary they've given us with this book!" -- Kelley Nikondeha, Communities of Hope, Burundi"Mark and Lisa Scandrette understand that thriving families are born of gracious intentionality. I know as you read these pages you'll find both intention and grace: practical wisdom and insights along with the encouragement to live with forgiveness, empathy, compassion, and a will to keep trying." -- Nate Ernsberger, speakers' director, Compassion International"For the past two decades, Mark and Lisa Scandrette have been at the leading edge of creative faith practices and community engagement, all while nurturing a family life that models the way of Jesus. At last they have put these passions together in a book that's sure to be a go-to resource for families of all kinds seeking to grow one another up into wise, engaged, and faith-filled disciples. By sharing their best family practices and providing tools to help readers create their own, the Scandrettes have created a resource that's sure to evoke deep refection and thoughtful practices for a family life of faith." -- David M. Csinos, Atlantic School of Theology, executive director, Faith Forward"Mark and Lisa's vision for family life is both challenging and inspiring, and Aaron and I are so thankful to have learned from their example over the years of our friendship. This book is a gift: intelligent and brave, prophetic and grounded. I recommend it for any parent who wants to be wiser, more soulful, and more imaginative in their parenting?which is all of us, right?" -- Shauna Niequist, author of Present Over Perfect Renew your imagination for what family life can be. Many of us feel overwhelmed about the prospect of raising children in our high-performance, rapid-pace culture. Reflecting on difficulties from our own families of origin can increase our doubt and insecurity about being a good parent. Positive examples of family life can seem few and far between. Mark and Lisa Scandrette understand these challenges, and in Belonging and Becoming they cast a compelling vision of what the family can be. They offer wisdom from the joys and struggles of their o