The Micah Paradigm
Building a Culture of Justice and Mercy in Your Church’s Children and Youth Programs
by Kelly Demo and Barbara McCall
Imprint: Resource Publications
Kelly Demo is the associate rector at St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church in Overland Park, Kansas. In over twenty-five years of ministry, she has served as a diocesan missioner for youth in Kansas and Arkansas, led several parish youth groups, and worked for ten years with international aid organizations. Demo holds a bachelor of general science in theater from the University of Kansas and an MDiv from the Seminary of the Southwest.
Barbara McCall is the director of children and family ministries at St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church in Overland Park, Kansas, having served in that role since 2014. Prior to her work in ministry, she taught primary grade students in suburban Kansas City for fifteen years. McCall holds a bachelor of science in elementary education from the University of Nebraska—Lincoln and a master of arts in education from Baker University.
“Our children are growing up in a world where humility and mercy often give way to unbridled ambition. The Micah Paradigm offers a practical and spiritual framework, founded in Scripture, for injecting your parish youth and education programs with a call to kindness, mercy, justice, and humility. Whether you’re reinventing a youth program or looking for new ideas, this is an incredible resource!”
—Brian R. Seage, bishop, The Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi
“The church is called to look like love in action, and that starts with forming young disciples who will show us the way. I have rarely seen an approach to this core work with as much intention, depth, and clarity as the one the authors outline in this book. Born from the wisdom of deep experience, easily adapted for a variety of ministry contexts, it is a rich gift for the church.”
—Craig Loya, bishop, The Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota
“This work ties into some of the most important deep truths and core values of the Invite Welcome Connect ministry, and it is filled with creative wonderings and ideas galore—no wonder it kept my attention to the very end. It speaks to the need for children to learn the importance of understanding how God created each one of them with distinct gifts and talents, to be used in service to God and the world beyond themselves.”
—Mary Foster Parmer, founder, Invite-Welcome-Connect
“Refreshingly practical, comprehensive, and brief, The Micah Paradigm integrates the best of what we know about social, emotional, and spiritual development with the heart of what Jesus dreams for us—coming together as an ever-expanding community of mercy and justice. It’s not a program to be implemented but a transformative lens for entire faith communities.”
—Mike Kinman, rector, All Saints Episcopal Church
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