Sticky Faith by Kara Powell & Chap Clark

Who should read it

Recommended for youth ministers, children's ministers and christian parents.

Why

Sticky Faith encourages parents and the church to take a more serious look at nurturing lifelong faith in children. This book seeks to equip its readers with practical types to reverse this trend of high school giving up their faith by giving young people a sticky faith that perseveres against the tides of secularism, doubt, and fleeting temptations. Young people need a clear and honest understanding of both the gospel and biblical faith so they are aware of their significant role in the kingdom of God seen in the Bible. Sticky Faith does not try to build a robust theology of spiritual parenting or critique modern styles of parenting. This means it can be overly pragmatic and neglect the insights of Scripture in this topic. Sticky Faith is full of great practical advice providing discussion starters for those who want to grow young people with sticky faith.

Publisher

Grand Rapids: Baker, 2016

Growing Young by Kara Powell, Jake Mulder and Brad Griffen

Who should read it

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Related resource

Growing Young is a broadly accessible book that will benefit youth ministers, youth ministry leaders and church leaders.

Building resilient faith in young people

What practices lead to thriving faith in young people after adolescence?

This resource from Youthworks’ Ministry Support team reviews all the latest thinking on how to build lasting faith in young people under God.

Free Download

Why

How can a church Grow young not old? What can churches do to help young people passionately connect with God through a faith community? These are the questions Growing Young, from the Fuller Youth Institute, explores by researching churches in the USA where the average median age of the church is dropping, not increasing. Their research discovered 6 priorities that are common in churches who are growing young. Each priority is analysed and then a variety of actions are explored. It offers up-to-date information and interpretation on how churches are engaging young people well, and it’s full of suggestions from those findings. Each chapter ends with pages of “Ideas for Action” and tools to gauge the health of your church in its efforts to grow young. Whilst it does not offer a rigorous theological or Biblical defence of each priority, the book functions well as a discussion starter for those who want to engage young people in their church.

Publisher
Grand Rapids: Baker, 2016

Gospel Centred Youth Ministry edited by Cameron Cole and Jon Nielson

Who should read it

Gospel Centred Youth Ministry is an engaging and modern introduction to evangelical, relational youth ministry. It provides a clear and applicable resource for ministers and volunteer leaders that will lead to fruitful reflection and discussion.

Why

Written by American youth ministers, Gospel Centred Youth Ministry explores 14 foundational topics for effective youth ministry. The book argues that only the Gospel of Jesus Christ, revealed in the Bible, will produce long lasting change in young people. Each chapter seeks to apply the gospel with varying success to various topics of youth ministry. including principals to praxis. The strength of the book is how it takes principals and shows how they may lead to practice. There is a compelling confidence that Bible based, Spirit empowered, long term relational discipleship will grow young people into mature, active followers of Jesus.

Publisher

Crossway, 2016

Faith for Exiles: 5 ways for a new generation to follow Jesus in digital Babylon by David Kinnaman and Mark Matlock

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Related resource

Building Resilient Faith in Young People

What practices lead to thriving faith in young people after adolescence?

This resource from Youthworks’ Ministry Support team reviews all the latest thinking on how to build lasting faith in young people under God.

Free Download

Who should read it

Fascinating research into resilient disciples of Jesus. Faith for Exiles is for Senior Ministers, Youth Ministers and Engaged parents.

Why

Faith for Exiles is the latest book by Barna exploring sustaining faith in young people. Based on social research, Kinnaman and Matlock outline a group of young adults with resilient faith and articulate the ministry practices they believe contributed to their resilience. Each chapter engages with the Scriptures, data analysis and practical ideas. The strength of the book is its relevance to ministry with Generation Z and Alpha. Whilst written in an American context, the insights and ideas are thought provoking and challenging for leaders who want to grow resilient , active and passionate disciples of Jesus.

Publisher

Baker Books, 2019

Sustainable Youth Ministry by Mark DeVries

Who should read it

This book if not only for youth ministry workers, but for churches who are serious about moving youth ministry from a reactionary, programmatic approach to a sustainable integrated system which continues bearing fruit over the long haul.

Why

In Sustainable Youth Ministry, DeVries shows that when church youth ministries are stuck, it's often because they are often built on a number of unspoken assumptions. He suggests that sustainable youth ministries are built upon a systems approach.

Throughout the book DeVries uses the illustration of the 'dance floor' to show the importance of stable structures. He suggests that "When the dance floor [i.e. undergirding structures of ministry] is in bad repair, talent is not enough. Right preparation is not enough. Not even passion and enthusiasm can prevent the inevitable dissatisfaction and disaster." (Devries, p. 52) Like all sustainable structures, a sustainable structure for youth ministry requires an intentional architecture with an intentional vision, which is clearly documented with measurable goals. It is not something that can be built overnight, but requires thoughtful and prayerful consideration over a longer period of time. He also suggests that within a sustainable youth ministry, the focus out to be on building and affirming the structure, rather than the perceived charisma or cultural flair of the youth ministry staff.

Publisher

Intervarsity Press, Downers Grove, 2008

Tactics for Teen Ministry by Scott Petty

Who should read it

A clear and applicable guide, Tactics for Teen Ministry is a hugely valuable resource for building a principle driven youth ministry or re-evaluating your current ministry.

Why

If you’re building from scratch or remodelling your youth ministry, Tactics for Teen Ministry is a great place to start. Coming from years of experience in youth ministry, Scott Petty’s book looks at the foundations for building a youth ministry aimed at long lasting relational discipleship. Starting with the foundations and moving to practice, he explores with great clarity all the essentials for effective youth ministry. From structure and programming, to leadership recruitment and training, the value of small groups, camps, giving talks, the place of families and the importance of communication.

Publisher

Youthworks Press, 2014

A.S.K.: Real World Questions / Real World Answer by David Robertson

Who should read it

This book is written for Christian teenagers, addressing their questions, curiosities and doubts about the Christian faith. Youth leaders will value the way Robertson frames his answers to the questions. Curious non-Christian teens will find clear, accessible answers to some of their own questions about the Christian faith of their friends.

Why

David Robertson has produced a clear, concise and readily accessible book on 52 questions that Christian teenagers have asked about their faith. Robertson sourced the questions from real-life teenagers across the globe and had provided succinct, yet substantive, answers that also bear witness to the authors pastoral heart. From the nature of God (“If God talked to Samuel, why can’t he talk to me?”), science and faith (“Why doesn’t Christianity accept the Big Bang?”), suffering (“Why did God kill my father and we suffered because we became orphans?”), theological quandaries (“Do dogs go to heaven?”) to the big cultural issues of today (“What should be a Christian’s response to mental illness?”), each chapter contains a bible reading, key verse, a two page explanation, questions to consider, recommended further readings and a prayer of response.

Publisher

Christian Focus Publications, 2019

Crucial Questions (Series) by R.C. Sproul

Who should read it

The Crucial Questions series is ideal for senior youth wanting to dig deeper into the Bible or Theology, as curriculum for a junior leadership program or as a resource for leaders in discipling young people.

Why

Crucial Questions is a series of short topical books, with over 30 titles in the series. Well regarded theologian and pastor R.C. Sproul briefly and accessibly covers one question in each book. The topics are wide ranging from Pastoral Theology (Can I be Sure I'm Saved? What Can I Do with my Guilt?), Apologetics (Can I Tust the Bible?), Evangelism (How Can I be Right with God?), Philiosophy (Does God Exist?), The Bible (What do Jesus Parables Mean?), Christian Living (How Should I think About Money) and Theology (What is the Trinity). One of the best things about this series is that each of the books is available free as an eBook on the Ligoniers Ministries website here.

Publisher

Reformation Trust, various years

Thoughts For Young Men by J.C. Ryle

Who should read it

Despite its name, this book is a treasure-trove of godly advice for all people. It is an immensely a helpful book for those seeking to disciple senior boys in particular.

Why

This book was first written in 1886 by Bishop J.C. Ryle to exhort young men to take seriously the call to take up their cross and follow Christ. It stands the test of time as a means by which to encourage young men in particular to live out their faith with conviction and integrity. Thoughts for Young Men follows a clear structure whereby the author states the point he wants to make in a clear sentence before fleshing it out from a biblical perspective over a number of paragraphs. Ryle starts the book by addressing what he considers to be particular dangers that are common to young men, before laying out 'general counsels' and 'special rules' for young men. He is unflinching in both his resolve to call out that which leads a young man to sin, as well as his application of the gospel to their lives. Ryle provides ample encouragement for a young man seeking to take his faith seriously, as well as practical avenues for them to follow.

Publisher

Charles Nolan Publishing (first published 1886), 2002

Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry by Michael McGarry

Who should read it

This book is designed for those who want to approach youth ministry from a biblical foundation. It presents a fairly comprehensive overview of the biblical and historical material regarding young people and their place amongst the people of God.

Why

Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry gives an overview of where and how ministry to young people has featured in the life of the people of God. It presents Five Pillars of Gospel Centred Youth Ministry which outline how the gospel shapes youth ministry. McGarry starts by outlining what he considers to be three foundational problems facing modern youth ministry - the dropout rate, the influence on teenagers that the broader culture of apathy towards Christianity has, and the fragmentation of youth ministry, family and church.

He then sets out on a tour of the Old and New Testaments, as well as church history and theology to show how God's people have traditionally approached ministry to young people. McGarry then outlines his 'Five Pillars of Gospel-Centred Youth Ministry':

1) gospel centrality

2) theological depth through expository, biblical teaching

3) relational discipleship

4) partnership with parents

5) intergenerational integration.

The book concludes with McGarry suggesting that given the transient nature of youth ministry, the nature of the Church and the biblical mandate for parents to have the primary role of discipleship, the place of youth ministry is to act as a bridge between the church and the home.

Publisher

Randall House Publications, 2019

Plugged In by Daniel Strange

Who should read it

Plugged in is an excellent resource for Youth Ministers and Youth Leaders.

Why

Plugged in is a highly accessible introduction to Christian cultural engagement. The book aims to help Christians engage with culture wisely by providing some memorable and usable tools for understanding and responding to different elements of culture. The book builds from an introduction of culture, into a Biblical analysis of culture and cultural engagement, and finishes by presenting a tool for engaging with culture that will help people meet Jesus. The strength of the book is its clarity and simplicity, especially the theory and practice of confronting culture and connecting through culture. Each chapter is valuable for young people and their leaders as they seek to live in a complex world. This book grows a Biblical worldview and equips young people to take more opportunities to point people to Christ.

Publisher

Good Book Company, 2019

Adoptive Church by Chap Clark

Who should read it

If you're wanting to do some deep thinking about bringing youth ministry and the church together, I highly recommend this book.

Why

Adoptive youth ministry? What does that mean? Well according to Chap Clark in his 2018 book, the goal of Adoptive youth ministry is "To create an environment where young people are encouraged to live into their calling in Christ as agents of the kingdom within the household of God" (p60). Clark recognises three crises facing youth ministry today: 1. The church is losing young people, 2. Culture is increasingly secular, 3. Young people are hurting more than we realise. In the face of these crises, Clark argues that the whole church must be part of the answer. No matter how great your evangelism programs, or how compelling your ongoing discipleship, if young people can't find meaningful belonging in the household of God, flourishing in faith is an uphill battle. It is within a family of older and younger siblings in Christ where young people are encouraged to become who they already are in Christ, nurtured in their faith, valued in their contribution that they "live into" long lasting discipleship.

Publisher

Baker Academic, 2018

The Bible Story Handbook by John H. Walton and Kim E. Walton

Who should read it

While written particularly with Primary School children in mind, The Bible Story Handbook is an excellent resource for every leader of children and youth (and even adult!) ministry as they prepare teaching times on narrative passages of the Bible.

Why

Husband and wife team, John and Kim Walton bring together John's expertise as a Bible scholar, with Kim's experience in writing and reviewing children's ministry curriculums, to prepare this excellent handbook. Each of the 175 narratives chosen explore the passage under 6 headings; (1) Lesson Focus, (2) Lesson Application, (3) Biblical Context, (4) Interpretational Issues, (5) Background Information, and (6) Mistakes to Avoid. The authors keep the big picture of the Bible at the forefront of their lesson guides, keeping the focus on God's meta-narrative of the Bible as central to each passage.

Publisher

Crossway, 2010

Family Ministry and the Church by Chris Shirley

Who should read it

Useful for anyone leading a children's or youth ministry. Also recomended for ministry staff teams to read together.

Why

Family Ministry and the Church explores the role of the church in strengthening families and equipping them for discipleship, and the role of the family in building the church. Shirley takes the reader through an exploration of what family ministry is, and why the family and the church need each other. With other contributors, the book delves into how to equip families for ministry at different life stages with the goal of seeing families and churches working together in effective disciple-making ministry.

Publisher

Randall House Publications, 2018