Caleb Breakey - Called to Stay: An Uncompromising Mission to Save Your Church

Before you leave your church, before you spread rumors about your church, and before you abandon the church altogether, read Called to Stay . And before you blindly stay in the same religious rut youve been in your whole life, read Called to Stay . Calebs call for us to love our churchesand Gods Church as a wholeis important, passionate, and needed. If you read this book with an open mind, it just might change your perspective of what it means to be a church member.

Kyle Idleman, author of Not a Fan and Gods at War

This yellow book showcases a life-changing and God-glorifying adventure waiting for you in your own backyard. If you answer the call, you will be richly rewarded. Were excited for how Called to Stay will impact our generation.

Alex and Brett Harris, authors of Do Hard Things and founders of TheRebelution.com

Many of you have been abused, and so many are crying out for help. I hope you will refuse to be a victim and, instead, take up Calebs challenge to be that help to others in the body of Christ.

Josh McDowell, author of The Unshakable Truth and New Evidence That Demands a Verdict

Its a rare book that is biblical, strategic, timely, well-written, and persuasive all at the same time. Called to Stay is such a book. We all wish our churches were better, but many Christians have become hypercritical and intolerant of the body of Christ. Its always easier to point out the problems and walk away rather than stay and humbly serve as part of the solution. Im delighted Caleb Breakey has written this book, and I highly recommend it to young and old alike.

Randy Alcorn, author of Heaven and Safely Home

Caleb Breakey writes with wit and wisdom on the sensitive and important topic of why so many young adults leave the church. This is not only relevant to the next generation, but to some boomers too. Called to Stay is not preachy, but it is biblical. Its loaded with practical truth about how to follow Jesus.

Dan Reiland, author of Amplified Leadership

Caleb Breakey challenges readers to think about our role in the church and how to respond to the changing landscape of culture within the church today.

Margaret Feinberg, author of Wonderstruck

You cant love Jesus and hate his bride. The church is the bride of Christ, worthy of our commitment, and Gods tool for His work in the world. Im encouraged to see young men like Caleb Breakey remind us of these important truths.

Ed Stetzer, the Lifeway Research Blog

Called to Stay is a seminal word for the Church today. It is a must-read that will challenge, comfort, and summon those who love the Church into thrilling and purposeful action. A biblical mandate mixed with a masterful appeal, Called to Stay recruits believers into a special-forces unit called Infiltrators. I was compelled to enlist. You will be too.

Wayne Cordeiro, Pastor, New Hope Christian Fellowship

Called to Stay is an important invitation to bloom where youre planted in the body of Christ. Caleb Breakey has learned the art, joy, heartache, and reward of staying to be an infiltrator of positive change within his church context, and he shares his hard-won wisdom like a coach cheering a reluctant team.

Mary DeMuth, author of The Wall Around Your Heart

If you believe your church is maliciously shaming God for personal gain, leave. But if your church is a good thing waiting to happen, then man up, stick it out, and infiltrate with passionate commitment. The message is aimed at the younger generation, but the point is made for all Christians: Stay.

Robert Case, Founding Director, World Journalism Institute

In an age of disillusionment and frustration with the modern church, I appreciate the heartbeat of Called to Stay . Never stop believing and become an integral part of the movement that is the hope of the world. Im called to stayare you?

Josh Griffin, High School Pastor, Saddleback Church and cofounder of DownloadYouthMinistry.com

Finally, a book thats hitting the bulls-eye of one of the most needed and missing teachings among new generations today. If young people truly understand what church is, then so much of the negative leaving, church-hopping, and disillusionment will shift into a powerful, proactive, positive new direction that has the potential to impact millions.

Dan Kimball, Author of They Like Jesus but Not the Church

There are a thousand things wrong with the churchand at least as many critics eager to tell us exactly what those things are. How refreshing to encounter Called to Stay , a clarion call to stick with the church despite her many shortcomings. The great myth of this generation is that you can love Jesus but not the church, that Christ can be separated from his bride. Caleb exposes this myth and, with humor, warmth, and practical insights, calls people back. Reading this book will accomplish Calebs goal of making you fall deeper in love with Jesus and his beautiful mess of a bride.

Drew Dyck, managing editor of Leadership Journal and author of Generation Ex-Christian

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

EUGENE, OREGON

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Verses marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

Cover by Harvest House Publishers Inc., Eugene, Oregon

Backcover author photo by Carole Farmen

Published in association with literary agent David Van Diest of D.C. Jacobson & Associates LLC, an Author Management Company.

CALLED TO STAY

Copyright 2013 by Caleb Jennings Breakey

Published by Harvest House Publishers

Eugene, Oregon 97402

www.harvesthousepublishers.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Breakey, Caleb Jennings, 1986-

Called to stay / Caleb Jennings Breakey.

pages cm

ISBN 978-0-7369-5542-3 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-7369-5543-0 (eBook)

1. Generation YReligious life. 2. Young adultsReligious life. 3. Church. 4. Christian life.

I. Title.

BV4529.2.B74 2013

248.84dc23

2013002886

All rights reserved. No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any otherwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The authorized purchaser has been granted a non-transferable, non-exclusive, and non-commercial right to access and view this electronic publication and agrees to do so only in accordance with the terms of use under which it was purchased or transmitted. Participation in or encouragement of piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of authors and publishers rights is strictly prohibited.

To Brittney, who infiltrates my life with love, strength, and a faith that moves mountains.

I love you so much, sweetheart.

To Brittney, who didnt just tolerate the long working daysbut encouraged them.

To David, who didnt let what was stop him from believing in what could be .

To Sarah, who encapsulated the message of this book.

To Kathleen, who went out of her way to unearth an important message.

To the amazing folks at Harvest House Publishers, who dream big for Jesus.

To Pastor Steve, who spent countless hours he didnt have discipling a kid at DQ.