Parenting Beyond Your Capacity: Connect Your Family to a Wider Community

Parenting Beyond Your Capacity: Connect Your Family to a Wider Community (The Orange Series) is the latest in the collection of books in the Orange tradition. Reggie Joiner has been the leader of this movement that has attempted to combine the yellow force (church) and the red force (family) to impact the lives of children and young adults in powerful ways. In this book, co-authored by Carey Neiuwhof, the orange philosophy is applied to parenting. Joiner and Neiuwhof demonstrate that parents need to partner with the church to go beyond their own abilities. As parents allow other Christians into the lives of their children, their children are influenced in powerful ways. Consistent with the Orange approach to ministry and family, Joiner and Neiuwhof encourage parents to find ways to discuss faith in natural family settings. They list some opportunities that work well with the resources that are available from the ReThink Group, though the book never offers up these resources specifically except in some advertising at the end of the book. They also encourage the spiritual growth of the parents as well, which can happen by taking time out from life and by getting involved with small groups in a church setting. What is great about this book is the honesty that the writers show. They are willing to admit their own parenting mistakes, and they never speak from the position of superiority. As they note, so many Christian parenting books only bring about feelings of guilt and inadequacy. This book says that we are all imperfect, and we need influences from outside the home to help us figure all of this out.

This is a GREAT book for spiritual parenting novices and experts both. It outlines some fantastic principles and leaves the details to be determined by your own family. It really focuses on helping parents see their priorities and how to teach those priorities to their children. It's also very encouraging, a "you CAN do this" pep talk at times. None of it will have you feeling guilty over your current inaction or overwhelmed with their recommended action plans. It will simply inspire you to find ways to fit more faith into your family's everyday life.

Wish I had this book as a young parent! ALL parents can truly benefit from the insight of these two seasoned leaders(both are Dads too). This book will help parents see the power of partnering with others to influence the heart of their kids and increase their capacity as parents. Great Father's Day gift!

This book is anything but another "to do list" for parents. Unlike many other parenting books I've read, I did not put it down feeling overwhelmed and like a failure. I put it down with much to think about and feeling challenged to be a better Mom...even if one little baby step at a time. The book is filled with fun little stories that give us glimpses into the lives of Reggie & Carey. I LOVE this book & will use it as a gift for dear friends & family.

I have been working with middle school students & their families for 7 years. My collection of articles, blogs, websites, and books is always growing as I seek to better understand the ever changing dynamics that exist between students and their parents. Over the past few years our Church has become very intentional to partner with parents~ unifying our Children, Middle School, High School, and Young Adult Ministries under the same banner with the same mission; 'Preparing the next generation to live for Jesus one season at a time.' In my opinion, 'Parenting Beyond your Capacity' is an incredible resource for all parents and church leaders. Not only does this book provide applicable wisdom on parenting and real life experiences, it constantly reminds us of what is at stake and that we are not meant to parent alone. I highly recommend this book, not only professionally, but personally... "The family exists, even in its imperfection, to display the heart of God to every generation."