"In a well-researched and comprehensive work, Kang and Parrett provide a rich and nuanced introduction to Christian education well worth reading by all those committed to faithful teaching and formation in the third millennium. The biblical and theological connections provide a rich tapestry for thought and practice. I enthusiastically recommend this work for scholars and practitioners alike."Robert W. Pazmiño, Valeria Stone Professor of Christian Education, Andover Newton Theological School
"After reading Teaching the Faith, Forming the Faithful I concluded, 'This text is perfect for my Foundations for Educational Ministry course.' Grounded in Scripture, conversant with theory, spanning the globe and the centuries of Christian tradition, Parrett and Kang have produced a comprehensive study of the church's teaching ministry. It will ignite passion in its readers and equip them with a clear, compelling vision for educational ministry."Robert Drovdahl, professorof educational ministry, Seattle Pacific University
"A clarion call to the church to teach the Scriptures, learn what they teach and practice their truth. This is a challenge we need to heed today. Ours is a time when authentic faith is often overwhelmed by the triviality of our culture, by fascination with technique in our churches and by confusion as to what it means to be God's people in our own time. I therefore welcome this study!"David F. Wells, Distinguished Research Professor, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
"Although Parrett and Kang seem to misread my priorities in my first book on worship, still I heartily recommend their work! In this book's massive thoroughness, they skillfully explore all the major questions for a congregation's educational ministry. This volume's comprehensive view of spiritual formation is critically necessary—and intensively beneficial!—reading for everyone who serves to teach the faith, from the preschool Sunday school teacher to the senior pastor!"Marva J. Dawn, teaching fellow in spiritual theology, Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia, and author of Keeping the Sabbath Wholly, Is It a Lost Cause? and In the Beginning, GOD
"This is the kind of book on the teaching ministry of the church that we have needed for some time! Parrett and Kang provide a solid biblical grounding for the purpose and practices of educational ministry, connecting it with the broader life and ministry of the church. Their 'take and bake' approach makes this a thought-provoking read, challenging church leaders to look more deeply into the nature of the church, its calling in the world, and the ways educational ministry can better strengthen the faith and faithfulness of God's people. This is a must-read for everyone in vocational ministry who desires to see the church grow into a more faithful image of Christ in this world."Dr. Kevin E. Lawson, director, Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs in educational studies, and editor, Christian Education Journal, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
"Somewhere along the way, our ministries have become more concerned with implementing methodologies than with teaching meat. The sad outcome has been a church filled with people who have little or no idea how God's story speaks to them, or how they are to enthusiastically live out their place in God's story in the midst of a watching world. We are nurturing generations of children, youth and adults who have little or nothing stored in the well of their faith. Gary Parrett and Steve Kang remind us that our calling is to fill wells with an understanding of God's story that yields a church filled with stories that bring glory to God in every nook and cranny of life. Teaching the Faith, Forming the Faithful has the potential to transform our ministries, the people we minister to, the church and the world. Their diagnosis is accurate. Their practical prescriptive responses call readers to return to biblical roots that have long been forgotten. I will be recommending this book to youth workers, pastors, parents and educators."Dr. Walt Mueller, president, The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, and author of Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture
"Teaching the Faith, Forming the Faithful is a fairly comprehensive orientation and guidebook for pastors and church leaders regarding the essential educational ministry of the church. The overall organization of the book is clear (aims, essential content of the gospel, participants, and processes and practices) and the last two chapters offer a macroframework for conceptualizing and guiding overall educational ministry practice. The authors' 'pastoral insider' perspective yields useful lists and suggestions that can easily be contextualized in any local church, especially those with a liturgical tradition. The book is biblically grounded throughout and offers a wide range of notes and resources from church history, making it arich resource for the seminary classroom and on the pastor's shelf."Klaus Issler, Ph.D., professor of Christian education and theology, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and author of Wasting Time with God
"This book moves almost seamlessly between Bible, theology and education to provide foundational insights into how the church must educate its members toward Christian maturity. In a time when serious education of believers has been neglected, this work offers an important and helpful corrective by using sound theology and the best of educational theory to guide the practice of the church."Perry G. Downs, professor of educational ministries, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
