The Youth Leaders Source Book

Catechetical / Youth Ministry

The Youth Leader In You was not written because I have all the answers in relation to Youth Leadership and Youth Ministry. My intention is to share my findings that I have observed while serving as a Youth Leader for more than half of my life. Journey with me through the pages of the book as we together look at meaningful ways to revive your passion for youth leadership if it's dying, encourage aspiring and potential leaders and help others to find a new passion if they never had it before. The Youth Leader In You is a captivating training material/guide to develop your deepest passion for leadership. There are three easy yet effective steps outlined in this book: - Answering the call to Youth Leadership. - Application of the necessary tools needed. - Attitudes required for enduring to the end. Whether you have been appointed as a Youth Leader in the Church diaspora, youth clubs and societies or even Governmental Agencies this book is for you.

Today’s youth struggle with difficult questions of sexual identity. How can a youth worker offer wise care and counsel on such a controversial and confusing subject? Mark Yarhouse, Director of the Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity, writes to equip youth ministers so they can faithfully navigate the topic of sexual identity in a way that is honest, compassionate, and accessible. Reframing the focus away from the culture wars, Yarhouse introduces readers to the conversation beginning with the developmental considerations in the formation of sexual identity—all of which occurs in the teen years. He offers practical and helpful ways to think about people who experience same-sex attraction. Sections of the book are also dedicated to helping parents respond to their children and teens who struggle with questions of sexual idenity, as well as how youth ministry can become more relevant in the lives of youth who are navigating these issues.

The authors say that adult leadership models are inappropriate for teenagers, who have unique development needs. They describe three stages in adolescent leadership development--awareness, interaction, and mastery--and offer strategies on how to nurture leadership in teens. Case studies from high schools and nonprofits illustrate how organizations and communities can support adolescents' leadership efforts, and an appendix provides a list of national organizations that promote youth leadership.

Things have changed. The Truth has not. The 1950's are gone forever. The days of the Sunday school attendance award and the much-loved Sunday school picnic have faded into oblivion. Yet some youth ministries still operate as if today's kids are living in a vacuum, unaffected by the changing morals of today's society. How can we reach these kids with the truth of the gospel? More than fifty of America's youth experts give advice and encouragement to those who long to see this generation know the love of Christ. They help readers think through their philosophies of youth ministry, break down barriers that impede progress, and maximize their own gifts and the gifts of those who work with them. They answer tough questions such as: How can leaders build a relational youth ministry? How can we find and support volunteers? What are the issues women face in youth ministry? How do we minister in ethnic communities? How should we respond to popular culture? How can we help hurting adolescents? You can have a vibrant youth ministry even in these uncertain times. You can reach this generation for Christ.