The Thriving Youth Ministry Leader

Youth ministry expert Jeanne Mayo grew her youth group from 30 kids to over 1000. Here Mayo shares practical principles for growing ministry through a friendship culture.

A small youth ministry has the flexibility and qualities to be nimble and relational, two qualities that will serve teenagers better than a big budget. This resource demonstrates how to create a ministry teens will love to be a part of. (Ministry & Pastoral Resources)

What is youth ministry actually for? And does it have a future? Andrew Root, a leading scholar in youth ministry and practical theology, went on a one-year journey to answer these questions. In this book, Root weaves together an innovative first-person fictional narrative to diagnose the challenges facing the church today and to offer a new vision for youth ministry in the 21st century. Informed by interviews that Root conducted with parents, this book explores how parents' perspectives of what constitutes a good life are affecting youth ministry. In today's culture, youth ministry can't compete with sports, test prep, and the myriad other activities in which young people participate. Through a unique parable-style story, Root offers a new way to think about the purpose of youth ministry: not happiness, but joy. Joy is a sense of experiencing the good. For youth ministry to be about joy, it must move beyond the youth group model and rework the assumptions of how identity and happiness are imagined by parents in American society.

If you're in the front lines of youth ministry – as a leader, volunteer, pastor, parent – you know that youth leadership can be tough. Teens are moving targets, congregations have high expectations, and sometimes even the most experienced youth leader can't shake the feeling that they really don't have a clue about what to do next. Life in Student Ministry offers more than a clue. Jammed packed with practical "how-to" advice, this book is a must-read for any youth leader committed to building a thriving, long-lived ministry that impacts the spiritual lives of teenagers and their families. Based on a decade of youth leadership experience, author Tim Schmoyer provides on-target advice on everything from getting started, to recruiting and utilizing volunteers, to welcoming visitors, to dealing with lack of commitment from teens and parents. He also includes input, advice, suggestions, even disagreements from a host of experienced youth workers who discussed the book's overall content and weighed in with their own feedback. The result is a collection of many voices on the hurdles and frustrations common to many youth ministries. Life in Student Ministry encourages, challenges, and equips youth leaders to move through the barriers and thrive in their ministries.

What this book is not: You won’t find Bible verses and theological statements. It isn’t filled with game ideas or club topics. What this book will offer you: 40 years of timeless lessons learned by real live youth leaders. You’ll read topics like these: 1. How to figure out if youth ministry is actually your calling 2. Insights for your spouse 3. How to turn what you thought were weaknesses into strengths 4. How to motivate teens in your group 5. How to make sure you are getting your value from the right things 6. Good ways to recruit and maintain quality volunteer leaders 7. How to avoid burn out in ministry 8. The importance of holding your ground on issues 9. Understanding the human nature of teenagers 10. The importance of knowing your own limits 11. How to know if or when you’re too old for ministry 12. Keeping true to ministry as culture changes 13. “I don’t know” can be a ministry opportunity 14. How to connect with that trouble maker student 15. Why little old ladies can break the stereotypical youth volunteer mold......and MORE!

Youth ministry is one of the most emotionally charged and rewarding ministries one can be called to. It may also be the most difficult and frustrating ministry you find yourself in. Dealing with pastors, parents, and parishioners, youth ministry is filled with challenges that many youth pastors are not equipped to handle—questions they can’t answer, situations they are not prepared for, expectations they are unaware they must meet. As it is common in the modern church to appoint first and train later, this resource offers a bridge between the two. It is a book that deals with many of the challenges of youth ministry, providing insight and direction where none might be offered. It is a collection of lessons learned the hard way so you don’t have to.

You're looking for a youth pastor. Again. What goes wrong? Why do youth ministries crumble? And what is the cost to students, parents, volunteers and church staff? Is a sustainable youth ministry possible, even after a youth pastor leaves? Youth ministry expert Mark DeVries knows the answer is yes, because he helps build sustainable youth minist...

Youth are not just the church's future-they're also the church's now. As a leader, volunteer, or church worker, your job is to remind youth that they're loved by Jesus and their congregation. At its core, youth ministry is about connecting childhood to adulthood and laying a strong foundation that encourages members to stay connected to the church throughout their lives. To do that you need to be encouraged too. That's where this book comes in. In it, you'll read chapters written by people who know what it's like to serve teens and their Savior, and you'll find guidance, encouragement, and advice on leading a youth ministry that supports young adults in their faith for life. Book jacket.