Keeping Kids Christian: Recovering a Biblical Vision for Lifelong Discipleship

by Cameron S. Shaffer, Jake Meador (Foreword)

As both a pastor and a parent, Cameron S. Shaffer is alarmed by the mass exodus of young people from the church over the past couple decades. The rise of the Nones and exvangelicals is clear evidence that our current children's and youth ministry practices are ineffective and must change if we want to stem the tide of dechurching. Whatever we're doing now is not creating lifelong disciples.

Combining biblical and theological insights with the latest sociological research, Shaffer presents a comprehensive and compelling case not for retooling the system of child discipleship we already have in place but for reevaluating and reshaping it entirely. He explains just how conversion works, the importance of parental involvement, and the necessity of keeping kids and youth in church and involved with the whole community of faith rather than continually sending them away to do youth-centered activities. He also covers the big question of how to keep young people committed to their faith when they grow up, go to college, enter the workforce, and start families of their own.

In this thoughtful book, pastors, children's and youth ministers, church leaders, and Christian parents alike will find a clear path forward to keep kids Christian and keep them involved in the church.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

Published February 24, 2026

Reviews

[Cassie (eclectically.bookish.cassie) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has given me so much to think about. As an ordained minister of over a decade, I’ve long suspected that children’s and youth programming in our churches is not doing the job we hope it would. Shaffer takes a look at sociological research and his ministry experience and shows that if we want kids to remain engaged believers after high school, it isn’t a flashy youth group or the best VBS that will do it. The number one factor is warm but authoritative parental involvement and parents who practice what they preach. This, however, is not a parenting book. It’s intended as a ministry tool for pastors like me, although I think other audiences could benefit from it as well. While I was given a lot to think over and chew on, I do have a few caveats:

1. My mind kept wandering to the question of what to do when kids at your church come without parents? Or show up at youth group with a friend only? There are some ideas and solutions provided but this isn’t explored in depth.

2. This became very repetitive at times, so much so that more than once I wondered if this could have been summarized as an article. When I saw in the acknowledgements that this started as an article, I was not surprised even a little.

3. Shaffer says from the very start that his background is Reformed Presbyterian, but that he believes the principles could apply elsewhere. While, I think that’s true, sometimes the jargon and tradition of being Reformed comes through VERY strongly. Nothing wrong with that, but a little isolating coming from a different Christian tradition.

Overall, this was still worth my time and I think is a great starting place on the topic.

Thank you NetGalley and Baker Books for the digital review copy and the opportunity to be an early reader.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a book written for Pastors/elders/ministry leaders with a Covenant theology foundation. As a children's ministry director, I found it helpful and insightful.

[Logan S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book. I almost took one star off due to my theological disagreements (I’m a Baptist) but felt that was unfair to do because the author is coming from his perspective. For me, this pairs well with one of my other favorite books, The Compelling Community, in defining my philosophy of ministry. Even though I strongly disagree with his argument in chapter one about how we should treat our kids like Christians from the beginning and that they are a part of the covenant community from birth, which is contrary to the the nature of the New Covenant and we must be born again by the Spirit to see and be in the Kingdom, I can filter that out and keep the rest of the book, which is outstanding. I will be using this more widely with parents and other leaders in children’s ministry.

[Scott Loughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading through this vision to restore multigenerational relationships within Christianity. When kids become part of the church earlier in life, they’ll be more confident in their faith as they transition beyond high school and into the work force. Would’ve appreciated more specificity with certain aspects, but found the broad view valuable.

[Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on the basics of fostering faith in children and youth. The book is probably best for pastors and next-gen workers in churches, but parents will derive a great deal of wisdom from it. The simple truth is that parents are best positioned to pass the faith on to their kids, and church programs that support them in this role are valuable. Those that try to do it for the parents or have other goals will have uneven results at best. Shaffer advocates faithful modeling of the Christian faith in homes and participation in the life of the local church. It's simple but beautiful.

[Charles Sager · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.50. Excellent read. I’d say a much for Christian parents. Some good thoughts expressed here. I plan to reread this and pray about it.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me a lot to think about even though I am not typically a reader of nonfiction. While I didn’t necessarily agree with all the points the author made, the book still made me think from a different perspective. I always thought of Sunday school as a good thing, and this author feels that kids should remain in the service. I liked his emphasis on keeping kids engaged and keeping them involved after confirmation (which he explains most people view as “graduation” from church activities which is why there’s a decline in attendance at that point). There were definitely some ideas I want to implement and I highlighted many passages. Definitely a book about an important topic.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I went into this book thinking it was more for parents, but I have to save overall it seems more geared toward pastors and church leaders. Not to say I didn't get anything from this book.

The whole of the book can be summed up very simply in this one quote:
"Passing on the Christian faith from parent to child rests on two key elements. First, parents must possess sincere faith-- one that is not compartmentalized but woven into daily life. Second, they must embrace an authoritative parenting style that combines warmth with firm boundaries..."

This book, which started as an article, is quite repetitive. It gives the message that the parents have a huge responsibility in modeling genuine faith; and the church has a responsibility to support the parents and kids in all stages of life. It refers often to "the great dechurching" which is a phrase that I had not heard before. The author also used other phrases like "not vibe but belief" and "faith is the warp and soft of their lives" that I didn't particularly enjoy or understand. Much of the 'evidence' in this book was based on "my observation" with a healthy amount of quoting other authors.

I still see some value in this book, it ultimately will cause you to evaluate your own Christian walk. In the conclusion, that author said,

"While salvation is ultimately the work of God, the means through which faith is nurtured- family, corporate worship, community and discipleship-- are given by God as essential instruments in sustaining belief from childhood into adulthood."

All I can say to that is Amen.





Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book that I recommend for any church staff member who cares about kids retaining their faith as they grow older. While I differ theologically in many areas from the author, he's consistently quick to point out how his points are applicable and can be implemented regardless of your denomination or even church size. Even when he disagrees with currently-popular methods of kids ministry, he does so with the intention of helping churches keep the main goal of seeing kids grow to love Christ at the center of this area of ministry and allows for how those current methods can still supplement that goal. As a father who cares deeply about the faith of my children, I genuinely appreciate his emphasis on the impact parents have in this area, while also pointing to the grace of God for when we don't raise our kids perfectly.

I truly hope many church leaders find this book as a resource to help them point the kids in their local churches toward Christ, and to keep that faith as they reach adulthood and eventually raise their own kids to do the same.

[Benjamin Davenport · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book's content is both agreeable (from a confessional Reformed standpoint) and helpful. However, the book would have been very well-served by some significant editing in the interest of more concision and less repetition. I believe it would be far more useful to its audience (both pastors and particularly the "youth and children's ministry leaders" to whom it is advertised) if it were more abbreviated and written in a more conversational, less "research paper" tone.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book. I agree with most of the author's ideas and conclusions. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because I agree with it so much that it didn't bring me new ideas. He articulated his thoughts very well.

[Gareth Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastically encouraging and helpful.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful tool for parents and congregants as it helps us consider how to disciple our covenant children through the relationships God has established in the local church.