MANY THANKS TO THE FOCUS GROUP participants and early readers who provided valuable feedback on the manuscript and who generously shared stories from their own family experiences: Tobi Rouse, Pete and Jackie Bulanow and Mike Stavlund (Common Table, Washington, DC), Meredith Miller (Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, Illinois), Charley Scandlyn (Menlo Church, Menlo Park, California), Dave and Krissy Kludt (Open Door Community, Walnut Creek, California), Jarrod and Taryn Shappell (San Francisco), Char and Keith Klassen (Sacramento), Denise Eide (Pedia Learning, Inc.), Alex and Amy Schweng (Missio Dei, Oakland, California), Missy Neumeyer (Duluth, Minnesota) and Kelley Johnson Nikondeha (Communities of Hope, Burundi, Africa).
Thanks also to the groups that provided forums for us to refine the content of this book through retreats, workshops and other teaching opportunities: Wild Goose Festival, Manhattan Beach Community Church (Manhattan Beach, California), The Neighborhood Church (Palos Verdes, California), The Orchard Community (Aurora, Illinois), GRX Church (Fremont, California), InnerChange (London) and The Faith Forward Conference for children and youth ministry leaders (Chicago).
We are grateful for the assistance of our literary agent, Greg Daniels, and our partnership with InterVarsity Press, especially our editor Cindy Bunch and the marketing team led by Andrew Bronson.
Thanks to Mark’s parents, Rich and Barb Scandrette, who value the gift and importance of family, live with great intentionality and have modeled so many of the skills and competencies explored in this book. And thanks to Lisa’s parents, Jim and Sue Sands, who provided an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality to so many, generously caring for family from one generation to the next.
Special thanks to Hailey Scandrette for her reflections on our family experience.
We appreciate the wonderful opportunity writing this book gave us to reflect on our family experience as our kids transitioned into early adulthood. We are thankful for one another’s trust, patience and laughter during this process as well as the divine grace and guidance provided.