Reciprocal Church: Becoming a Community Where Faith Flourishes Beyond High School

Review "Beware. This is not a youth ministry book, but a church leadership book. It is not about keeping our kids, but changing our churches. It's not about discovering a new secret for growing your youth group, but recovering an old truth about transforming your community of faith. With a love for young people borne out of years of ministry and a penetrating theological gaze honed in years of scholarship, Sharon Galgay Ketcham challenges church leaders to grasp the moment and the opportunity that is upon us as we experience droves of young people leaving the church behind. With the wisdom of one who has both worked in churches and walked alongside hundreds of youth and young adults, Ketcham helps us see how the very things that young people are leaving the church to look for is our birthright and calling. Their longing for reciprocal relationships forces us to reconsider everything we assume that the church is supposed to do. Reciprocal Church will require you to rethink everything you think you know about youth ministry and everything you forgot about being the church." -- Tod Bolsinger, vice president and chief of leadership formation at Fuller Seminary, author of Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory"Sharon Galgay Ketcham is the most important youth ministry voice you've yet to hear of; with Reciprocal Faith this will be rectified! You hold an exciting book in your hand (or beaming from your e-reader). It's an engaging read with important thoughts on nearly every page. Take time with it. If you do, you'll find your imagination ignited and Sharon will become a new dialogue partner in your ministry." -- Andrew Root, professor of youth and family ministry at Luther Seminary (USA), author of Exploding Stars, Dead Dinosaurs, and Zombies: Youth Ministry in the Age of Science"The reality is undeniable: far too many students leave our youth ministries and enter the post-high school years hitting the pause or stop button on their faith. We must wonder if our youth ministry efforts ever resulted in them pressing play in the first place. Sharon Galgay Ketcham offers a path beyond the youth ministry status quo that we must consider. If our churches and youth ministries are to work with parents to nurture children and teens, then we must re-evaluate what we've been doing and make adjustments to ensure the future flourishing of our students." -- Walt Mueller, Center for Parent/Youth Understanding"You are about to sit down with a book from a master teacher who cares deeply about young people and the church. Dr. Sharon Galgay Ketcham has been a longtime leader in the conversations regarding the faith development and church participation of young people. In response to current concerns about their waning church involvement, her research draws out some helpful language and guiding principles that can serve church leaders well. This book is a source of hope and offers a thoughtful and practical way forward, giving churches the foundation and the means to see vibrant renewal in the lives of their young people." -- Terry Linhart, editor of Teaching the Next Generations, professor of Christian ministries at Bethel College"Providing real space and place for the young has only recently become the most important conversation in youth ministry, but finally we're taking notice. Research has consistently shown that young people feel an overwhelming sense of disconnection, isolation, and abandonment, even in the church. As we attempt to engage and support emerging generations in a way that will not only nurture them but will also empower them to meaningfully contribute, we need help. As a researcher, Dr. Ketcham guides me deeper into the why and what of helping the young to flourish. As a pastor, Sharon reminds me that our kids are a viable and vital part of us as she teaches me that we need them as much as they need us. This is an important book for all of us as we work to break down our walls and invite young peopl