Jim McBride’s ‘Rite of Passage’ now available

ALBANY, Ga. — What is the defining moment in a person’s life at which they know they have transitioned from childhood to adulthood?

This is the subject Jim McBride, executive pastor at Sherwood Baptist Church, wants to shed some light on through his new book, “Rite of Passage: A Father’s Blessing.”

The eight-chapter, 160-page book goes into why it is important to have a formal rite, the impacts such rites have on various cultures, how to tailor the moment to the individual child, what McBride did to help his four children through the transition and the outcomes this process has.

“It was something the Lord laid on my heart 10 years ago,” the author said. “Numerous times I’ve heard: ‘I never had my father’s blessing,’ and my wife and I wanted to do something different.

“We wanted our children to leave (home) knowing they had our blessing.”

The idea behind the book is to help today’s adolescents grow into tomorrow’s adults through proper transitions and positive values. The book has so far received praise from a number of authors and Christian leaders.

“If I could live my life as a parent again, I would read this book first,” said a statement from Andy Andrews, author of “The Traveler’s Gift.”

For his children, McBride set a day aside when they were 16-18 years of age and sent them on a path either within the walls of Sherwood or on a wooded path. Along the way, each of them were given guidance on various topics from several important people in their lives.

“(These people) would act as an accountability group,” McBride explained.

The day typically concluded with a gift presentation and a group meal either at a restaurant or at the McBride home.

“(The process) needs to suit the needs of the children,” McBride said. “It’s never too late to bless your children.”

In developing a similar ceremony for their children, McBride said the most important aspect is for parents to carefully pick the group that participates in the ceremony.

“The most important thing is looking for a group you would allow to speak to your child,” the executive pastor said. “They will be their ‘board of directors’ that they will go to for guidance.”

The book was released Monday by Moody Publishers and is available for purchase at various book store outlets.

“My hope is that parents will pick the book up and realize what they need to do for their children,” McBride said. “The next generation would be able to stand confidentially knowing (that they have their parents’ blessing).”

On Aug. 20, McBride will have a book signing for “Rite of Passage” at the LifeWay Christian Store on North Westover Boulevard from 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

While McBride first developed this idea long before the production of “Courageous” began, there are similar themes to both works.

“In the movie there is a scene where a group is asked: ‘When did you know you were a man?'” he said. “One character said: ‘When my father told me I was.’ One day, my children will find themselves in this situation.

“There is a theme in ‘Courageous’ that symbolizes this, but the idea for this (book) started 10 years ago.”

McBride is an executive producer of “Courageous,” the fourth film venture for Sherwood Pictures. It is on track for a Sept. 30 theatrical release.