The Me I Was Made to Be: Helping Christian Parents Navigate the Identity Conversation

Your kids are talking about identity. Are you part of the conversation?

Today’s kids and youth are talking about identity--and often very differently from the adults around them. How can we walk well with them through their questions about who they are and how they fit into the family of God? We must begin by telling a better gospel story, with an invitational posture that actually expects us to love God and love others.

In this engaging and disarming book that speaks to readers across the theological spectrum, author and children’s ministry expert Christie Penner Worden invites grownups along to imagine a more Jesus-centered narrative for the sake of kids who are no longer buying what the church is selling, who do not feel safe, and who have not been welcomed into the conversation that adults are having without them. The Me I Was Made to Be is the beginning of a conversation that offers a compelling story on identity rooted in a deeper understanding of the gospel--one that includes all image-bearers and extends Jesus’ welcome to all our kids.

Christie Penner Worden is the North American director for RaiseUpFaith and a strategic leader, speaker, preacher, and writer who is passionate about discipling children, inspiring leaders, and equipping churches with effective support to raise this generation with courageous faith. Christie is a pastor with the Be In Christ (BIC) denomination. She has an Engage Certificate in Children’s Ministry through Bethel Seminary and is a certified coach with the International Network of Children’s Ministry. She loves sharing her wonder and what-ifs with dreamers and doers alike, and with organizations including David C. Cook, Ministry Spark, INCM, New Wine, KidzMatter, KidBuilders, Awesome KidMin Community, Lead Volunteers, The Kids Ministry Collective, Collide Kids Podcast, Bible Talk, Jesus Collective, and local churches across Canada.