

Series: Youth Specialties (Paperback)
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (February 24, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 031069485X
ISBN-13: 978-0310694854
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #57,951 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #20 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Ministry & Evangelism > Youth Ministry #3934 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Christian Living #13549 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

This is an easy-to-read textbook on youth ministry by a proven professional. Drawing from the same principles as Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Church, Fields (who is Warren's youth pastor at Saddleback Community Church) gives the foundational principles for youth ministry, explaining the different stages of faith commitment in adolescents, and providing strategies for a complete youth ministry.Good: This book is an easy read, and doesn't require theological or professional ministry experience to understand, and yet is thorough. Any person who has basic relational skills and a heart to reach kids will be set to go after reading this book.Bad: Fields is constantly uses lists and acronyms to teach his points. Examples: the different stages of faith commitment (core, committed, congregation, crowd, and community); spiritual lifestyle H.A.B.I.T.S. (hang time with God, accountability with another believer, Bible memorization, involvement with the church body, tithing commitment, study of the scripture); his method for discovering spiritual gifts called S.H.A.P.E. (spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences). A little of this goes a long way, and if you try to take it in too quickly it will fry your brain.Opinion: This is the best book on youth ministry that I've read. Fields leaves no bases uncovered, from working with parents to handling discipline. I wish I had read this book before my first youth pastorate. It would have saved me many mistakes.Best Quote: Two come to mind, but they're related to the same thing: "Leadership separates a purpose-driven youth ministry from an event-and-activity-driven youth ministry." The second one is this: "Better to have two high-standard student leaders than fifty students who want to plan activities while they live any lifestyle they please."
Doug does a great job with this book. It has extremely practical teaching that is easy to apply to any cultural ministry scenario that a youth pastor can face. The problem, however, is that I can design a great program that humms like a machine and sends a message, but that doesn't change a teenager's heart. While I know, first hand, that Doug's ministry has changed thousands of hearts, if not more, I feel that his book understates some important issues: 1) Prayer is the key to any ministry's survival. 2) The issue of shepherding (relationships built with staff, and youth is far more important that simply having an airtight mission statement etc. BOTTOM LINE- This book is a great tool, but not the end-all ministry guide that many have made it in to. I would love to see a sequal by Doug that delves deeper into issues of prayer and shepherding.
I believe this program could be used by any church, any where, and be effective. The problem I have is you can buy all the books seperately, but I can NOT find just the video for the program. If had that available (on DVD) that would be the BOMB that would get 2 more stars from me! If your involved in YOUTH MINISTRY this book should be on your shelf. I found the side notes to personality types especially helpful!!
I was required to read this for a class and did not anticipate it at all. I thought it would simply be filled with a planned out to-do-list on how to make a successful youth ministry. After reading Rick Warrens (the head pastor of Field's church) book, "The Purpose Driven Life," I thought I would find the same structure. I must say that I was rather surprised and pleased to find the opening chapter to focus on the true purpose of youth ministry. That is: it isn't a compitition for success. Nevertheless it was still proceeded by explanations of successful youth ministry strategies. Of course, the intentions of reading the book probably is to learn them. I was much more willing to listen after reading the first chapter. There are helpful strategies mentioned in the book but it is not the best youth min. book I have read. The biggest fault is that Fields use his church for examples of all ministry. I find a problem in this because not all ministry is alike.
This book is a clearly written, organized and in-depth look at the foundations to youth ministry. The pillars of ministry are outlined and given in ways that can be applied to any ministry in any setting with proper leadership. Doug Fields is an experienced youth pastor with wisdom and knowledge which has spurred his ministry to dynamic growth. Why we do what we do, who we are trying to reach, how to best accomplish this, what we're trying to do, when to do it and where to do it is the general format of the book. The foundations laid out in this book, when applied to your ministry, will give you a base for growth and development. Keeping in mind that development is more important than growth. Drawing youth into a more personal and deeper relationship with God is the key to this book. A must read for every youth pastor, worker, volunteer and prospective leader.
This is a resource you will use over and over again. I had to read it for school and I am not even in Youth Ministry but it will be in my resource tools. I loved it so much that I bought 2 copies for youth ministers at my church. It is easy to read with practical tips that you can actually implement. I am using some of them in my own ministry.
Purpose Driven Youth Ministry: 9 Essential Foundations for Healthy Growth (Youth Specialties (Paperback)) Sustainable Youth Ministry: Why Most Youth Ministry Doesn't Last and What Your Church Can Do About It Living as a Young Man of God: An 8-Week Curriculum for Middle School Guys (Youth Specialties (Paperback)) Daily Inspiration for the Purpose Driven Life: Scriptures and Reflections from the 40 Days of Purpose Youth Ministry in the 21st Century: Five Views (Youth, Family, and Culture) Adoptive Youth Ministry: Integrating Emerging Generations into the Family of Faith (Youth, Family, and Culture) What Customers Want: Using Outcome-Driven Innovation to Create Breakthrough Products and Services: Using Outcome-Driven Innovation to Create Breakthrough Products and Services The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? The Purpose Driven Life Devotional for Kids The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?, by Rick Warren | Key Takeaways, Analysis & Review Una vida con propósito: ¿Para qué estoy aquí en la tierra? [The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?] The Purpose-Driven Life The Purpose Driven Life Journal: What on Earth Am I Here For? The Purpose Driven Life Patch Bible Cover XL Ham Biscuits, Hostess Gowns, and Other Southern Specialties: An Entertaining Life (with Recipes) The Pancake Handbook: Specialties from Bette's Oceanview Diner Catalog No. 439: Burlesque Paraphernalia and Side Degree Specialties and Costumes Cooking Healthy with a Food Processor: A Healthy Exchanges Cookbook (Healthy Exchanges Cookbooks) Chief Customer Officer 2.0: How to Build Your Customer-Driven Growth Engine The Purpose Economy: How Your Desire for Impact, Personal Growth and Community Is Changing the World