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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. Rather than resolve a tension around perceived right and wrong, The Me I Was Made to Be equips parents and pastors to tell this better gospel story—one that helps kids understand who they are, how God sees them, and why they are an important part of God’s story.
In this engaging and disarming book that speaks to readers across the theological spectrum, author and children’s ministry expert Christie Penner Worden invites grown-ups 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 invited to the conversation that adults are having without them. It is a call to action for Jesus followers to engage the conversation with kids in a desire to walk with them as they learn both who they are and whose they are.
The Me I Was Made to Be is the beginning of a conversation that offers a better story on identity rooted in a better understanding of the gospel—one that includes all image-bearers and extends Jesus’ welcome to all our kids.
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. Rather than resolve a tension around perceived right and wrong, The Me I Was Made to Be equips parents and pastors to tell this better gospel story—one that helps kids understand who they are, how God sees them, and why they are an important part of God’s story.
In this engaging and disarming book that speaks to readers across the theological spectrum, author and children’s ministry expert Christie Penner Worden invites grown-ups 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 invited to the conversation that adults are having without them. It is a call to action for Jesus followers to engage the conversation with kids in a desire to walk with them as they learn both who they are and whose they are.
The Me I Was Made to Be is the beginning of a conversation that offers a better story on identity rooted in a better understanding of the gospel—one that includes all image-bearers and extends Jesus’ welcome to all our kids.
216 pages, Paperback
Published September 10, 2024
2 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 28, 2024
I read this book with curiosity, wondering what the author had to offer on a topic that can cause intense emotion and reaction. I wondered if this book would help families in search of guidance, and how the book would coach people to act.
The author goes above and beyond to present the content in a conversational, friendly tone. The conversation shared homilies and pointed out that the “meat” of this matter would follow, but unfortunately I felt like the author was beating around the bush, much like someone nervous about broaching an uncomfortable topic.
Eventually the author meanders to the topic of talking with someone about identity, and makes really good points. The reader has to wade through a lot of words before finding those points. It was a frustrating read because of the meandering and wordiness. I think some people might give up on the text because of this.
My advice is that 15- 20% of the words should be cut. Whittle down the chatting and let those valuable points and comments shine. There is good advice here if someone can find it.
The author goes above and beyond to present the content in a conversational, friendly tone. The conversation shared homilies and pointed out that the “meat” of this matter would follow, but unfortunately I felt like the author was beating around the bush, much like someone nervous about broaching an uncomfortable topic.
Eventually the author meanders to the topic of talking with someone about identity, and makes really good points. The reader has to wade through a lot of words before finding those points. It was a frustrating read because of the meandering and wordiness. I think some people might give up on the text because of this.
My advice is that 15- 20% of the words should be cut. Whittle down the chatting and let those valuable points and comments shine. There is good advice here if someone can find it.
March 23, 2025
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
The Me I Was Made to Be by Christie Penner Worden is a largely balanced compassionate guide for parents trying to understand and have conversations around an emotionally laden subject especially in the context (of Christianity). Released 10th Sept 2024 by Herald Press, it's 216 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats.
The author has a chatty, accessible, open, and *kind* manner of speaking. She honestly says in the introduction that she can't promise to ease the tension (since a significant portion of the audience for the book are likely parents (or people) who are struggling with gender identity). She does offer an honest, faith based discussion of the concepts involved and a heartfelt plea for compassion for others.
There's not much actual discussion about *what* to say to a child or loved one who is questioning their gender identity. The problem is that for most people, the discussion is shaped around a binary model (male/female) without any possible nuance and especially ignoring current scientific understanding around gender and sexual identity (intersex, SrY, androgen insensitivity, etc etc etc). The author is not a scientist (and doesn't pretend to be), and the science is *complex*.
At the end of the day, she makes a lot of good arguments for compassion, genuine compassion, openness, and love. And that's probably all that can be expected from a Christian Bible based theologically grounded discussion. It's annotated throughout and the chapter notes will provide readers with some further avenues to explore.
Three and a half stars, with the codicil that it's meandering and very much faith based.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Me I Was Made to Be by Christie Penner Worden is a largely balanced compassionate guide for parents trying to understand and have conversations around an emotionally laden subject especially in the context (of Christianity). Released 10th Sept 2024 by Herald Press, it's 216 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats.
The author has a chatty, accessible, open, and *kind* manner of speaking. She honestly says in the introduction that she can't promise to ease the tension (since a significant portion of the audience for the book are likely parents (or people) who are struggling with gender identity). She does offer an honest, faith based discussion of the concepts involved and a heartfelt plea for compassion for others.
There's not much actual discussion about *what* to say to a child or loved one who is questioning their gender identity. The problem is that for most people, the discussion is shaped around a binary model (male/female) without any possible nuance and especially ignoring current scientific understanding around gender and sexual identity (intersex, SrY, androgen insensitivity, etc etc etc). The author is not a scientist (and doesn't pretend to be), and the science is *complex*.
At the end of the day, she makes a lot of good arguments for compassion, genuine compassion, openness, and love. And that's probably all that can be expected from a Christian Bible based theologically grounded discussion. It's annotated throughout and the chapter notes will provide readers with some further avenues to explore.
Three and a half stars, with the codicil that it's meandering and very much faith based.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
August 23, 2024
This beautifully-crafted book will not provide a checkbox for how to have successful conversations with children about identity. It gives to readers something far more valuable. The Me I Was Made to Be not only encourages those who are walking alongside children as they navigate their complex world and its competing messages about identity. More significantly, the book offers an invitation to us all, to sit with Jesus, experience his presence, and know that our worth is reflected in his expansive love for us. Such is a message I imagine we could all use now and then, no matter who we are, or how we identify.
November 2, 2024
Christie Penner Worden opens up a conversation that invites everyone to the table and might just enable us to rediscover our own invitation to be there and to welcome the kids and the adults around us to join us there too.
Highly recommend reading this in community!
Highly recommend reading this in community!
March 14, 2025
There are definitely good things in here. However, I feel that there are some flawed starting points or premises…or something. OR it is in delivery. Not sure. Can’t say I would recommend.
July 15, 2025
Ruth Roth sent this along with John for me. I read it right off. Have not had a chance to discuss with anyone. Not sure how to integrate. Author keeps it general and off specifics of what I'm dealing with. She sticks with pointing to Jesus. That's enough.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews