This book draws on the conversation we began with readers of this site in 2006 and proposes a vision for authentic youth ministry in the 21st century Church.
It is one of the few texts focusing on youth ministry from a mainline progressive point of view. Grounded in scripture and solid theology, the text offers a host of ideas for creating a ministry in which every component is focused on the mission of the Church.
Chapters include:
Rethinking Youth Ministry
The Foundations of Missional Youth Ministry
What is Missional Youth Ministry?
Building Real Relationships
Puposeful Planning
Why You Don't Need Volunteers
The End of Educational Ministry
Worship That Connects
Creating a Missional Youth Ministry
Read one youth minister's review here.
From the Publishers:
A thoughtful discussion challenging the traditional model of activity-focused youth ministry.
Based on a series of blog entries and responses, Missional Youth Ministry is full of information, opinions, and examples of why and how churches are failing their young people. Authors Kirk and Thorne make a solid case for letting go of old activity-based paradigms in favor of ministry that is grounded in the essentials of prayer, worship, community, education, mission, and spirituality. Theologically sound yet conversational and contemporary, Missional Youth Ministry provides a thought provoking road map for routing youth programs out of the "basement" and into the sanctuary where young people can better share and grow in the mission of the church.
This book will appeal to all those working "in the trenches" of youth ministry who are seeking to offer students a deeper, more consequential missional role—not as the "church of the future" but as valued parts of the body of Christ in the here and now.
The text is available through most online book retailers. An Ebook version of the text can be purchased for the Nook here. You can read sample chapters from the text here and here.
