Youth Ministry in the 21st Century: Five Views (Youth, Family, and Culture) - Softcover

Chap Clark - This is an important book, for there are many voices today that seem to offer "the" way to think about and "do" youth ministry, but often they seem to contradict. In Youth Ministry in the 21st Century: Five Views the five contributors present their "view" on youth ministry, the others respond, and then the contributor offers a final rejoinder. While remaining cordial, the back-and-forth produces an honest, straightforward conversation between proven leaders and thinkers regarding this vital ministry. Our invitation to the reader is to join in the conversation to determine what it is you believe about youth ministry, why, and how it should be practiced.In my view, the "Adoptive View," I argue that youth ministry disconnected from the final trajectory of inclusion into the local "household of faith" is not youth ministry. One of the most common metaphors for God's gathering is "family," and the Apostle Paul, then, uses the term "adopted" to describe how we all by faith are brought into this family. So adoptive ministry, to follow Paul's framework, is where we as God's household live into what God declares is true in Christ (John 1:12). So older generations are not to be seen as "surrogate grandparents" or "aunties," but rather children and teenagers, and everybody else, must see their value and thus relate to one another as siblings. This provides children and adolescents - and any disconnected population - the twofold inclusive community they long for and need: a family where each one is nurtured and guided toward maturity, and at the same time a community where they are encouraged and empowered to participate in the work of the kingdom of God. Ron Hunter - The goal for the D6 portion of Youth Ministry in the 21st Century: Five Views is to show how church and home work in a complimentary fashion. This does not describe an integrated model but rather one where each age ministry builds on and connects with the others. Deuteronomy 6 commands parents to take the lead in the spiritual development of their kids. Youth pastors, children's ministers, and especially the lead pastors are vital to transforming the church into a family ministry culture. Every minister and ministry work toward generational discipleship so that it could be said of your family, He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob!

In Youth Ministry in the 21st Century, Fernando Arzola, Greg Stier, Ron Hunter, Brian Cosby, and Chap Clark present the major contemporary views on youth ministry. They also respond to one another's views, helping readers develop their own approach to youth ministry.

"Teenagers need thoughtful, theologically grounded youth leaders more than ever. Youth Ministry in the 21st Century asks the right questions and helps leaders devise innovative responses. It's a new day in youth ministry, and the insights contained in these pages will lead us all toward more transformative ministry. Together."
--Kara Powell, Fuller Youth Institute

"As youth ministry models continue to develop and evolve, we all need to submit our closely held models to that beautiful process of iron rubbing against and sharpening iron. In the end, God will have made us all better for it! That's what happens in this thought-provoking book. This grace-filled, five-way conversation is powerful and challenging. Not only will it force you to evaluate and adjust your own model of ministry, it offers a model for how to generously and humbly 'talk amongst yourselves,' particularly with those with whom you don't agree."
--Walt Mueller, Center for Parent/Youth Understanding

"When I read a book by Chap Clark, I know I'm going to read a book that is thoughtful, theologically sound, and pulsing with the heart of a youthworker. And Youth Ministry in the 21st Century, with its iron-sharpening-iron approach, demonstrates Chap at his best, challenging us to think beyond our favorite youth ministry strategies to consider theological roots, ministry implications, and practical outcomes. You'll be pushed and pulled a bit in this book, but I'm confident these stretching exercises will only make your ministry stronger."
--Duffy Robbins, Eastern University

"I love this book. I felt like I was in a room listening in on an incredible dialogue with some of the finest thinkers in the field of youth ministry. All these youth specialists are brilliant and have a deep love for young people. There is something to learn on every page and from every viewpoint."
--Jim Burns, HomeWord Center for Youth and Family, Azusa Pacific University