10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People
Who should read it
Any youth or kids minister, leader or parent who wants to engage young people as motivated, invested and growing disciples.
Why
How do we help young people in our ministries be more than passive recipients of information? How do we help them develop ownership of their faith and their life in the body of Christ?
While not a Christian book, 10-25: The Science of Motivating Young People contains insights that can help us understand what motivates young people. As the author says, “if we want to engage, teach and support our young people, we need to tap into the basic neurobiological systems that drive their behaviour.”
A new freedom: How God’s word equips you for life
Who should read it
Any teenager starting to navigate the complexity and tensions of working out who they are, what they think, who they'll be influenced by and how they'll live.
Why
Being a Christian can be like navigating a deep ocean storm. The raging winds, swirling currents and waves - like all the different trends and influences on a Christian life - can throw you off course! Mike Snowdon's new book gives teenagers (and anyone else) the tools to know how to really live in a way that works and is in line with how the creator has set up the world.
Evangelism in a skeptical world
Who should read it
Anyone who is seeking to proclaim the gospel to young people in order to see them come to faith in Christ.
Why
Chan starts this book by seeking to establish what he means by the term ‘evangelism’ and its relationship to the gospel of Jesus. He lays out a theology of evangelism where he examines how the bible uses the term and asserts that there is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to evangelism.
Throughout the book Chan offers a great deal of practical advice, and training for Christians as to how to go about engaging in evangelism.
The Trellis and the Vine
Who should read it
Anyone involved in coordinating and leading ministry to young people
Why
How do you balance the heart of ministry - teaching, discipling, mentoring and praying for young people - with the bones of ministry, the structures ncessary to make ministry happen and make it effective under God? The Trellis and the Vine provides helpful insights to answer this question.
Changing the world through effective youth ministry
Who should read it
Youth ministers and anyone interested in understanding the foundations of church-based youth ministry.
Why
In his book, Moser outlines a strategy for a discipleship model of youth ministry and provides tips for constructing a youth ministry program which aims for and achieves effective discipleship of young people.
Moser argues that churches and youth ministry workers ought not be too focused on seeing hundreds of young people coming to youth group simply for a great time, but rather that their youth ministry programs would be geared towards the effective discipleship of young people as they engage with God through His word.
Sticky Faith
Author
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
Author
Kara Powell, Jake Mulder and Brad Griffen
Who should read it
Growing Young is a broadly accessible book that will benefit youth ministers, youth ministry leaders and church leaders.
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
Show them Jesus
Author
Jack Klumpenhower
Who should read it
Useful for anyone involved in children's ministry. This is a great book for a ministry team to read together.
Why
A question that children's ministry leaders often ask is how do I teach children while avoiding moralism. Show them Jesus seeks to answer this question. Klumpenhower shows nots only why the gospel should be front and centre of every children's ministry lesson, but also how to teach the good news in ways that will engage head, heart and hands.
Publisher
New Growth Press, 2014
Gospel Centred Youth Ministry edited
Author
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
Sustainable Children's Ministry
Author
Mark DeVries & Annette Safstrom
Who should read it
Recommended for anyone starting out in a children's ministry leadership role and those building a children's ministry from the ground up in a smaller church or church plant.
Why
Subtitled 'from last minute scrambling to long-term solutions', this book looks at the underlying systems and structures in church-based children's ministries (or lack of them). Highly practical, with numerous appendixes full of samples and examples, this book guides the reader to see the need for systems and how to create them. The authors address areas like 'chronic leader shortage', 'workhorse' leadership, working well on a staff team and how to delegate well.
Publisher
IVP Praxis, 2018
Faith for Exiles: 5 ways for a new generation to follow Jesus in digital Babylon
Author
David Kinnaman and Mark Matlock
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
Author
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
The Art of Group Talk
Author
Phillips & Duckworth
Who should read it
This is a must-read for anyone leading a small group of kids. It is a great training resource.
Why
A light, easy to read introduction to leading small groups of kids. Moving from the purpose and goal of small groups down to the practical details of making it work, this is a hugely helpful resources for all leaders. It includes suggestions of items to prepare, ways to deepen relationship with children and helpful clarity on why it's all worth the effort.
Publisher
Think Orange
Tactics for Teen Ministry
Author
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
Relational Children's Ministry
Author
Dan Lovaglia
Who should read it
Recommended for Children's Ministers, key lay coordinators, and any invested leaders who desire to be "change agents" in their local ministry.
Why
In Relational Children's Ministry, Lovaglia aims to help children's ministry leaders hit the "reset button". He considers 5 discipleship invitations modelled by Jesus and discusses ways to put these into practice in children's ministry. Children's ministry leaders will learn how to make their ministry a disciple-making ministry that shapes kids into lifelong followers of Jesus.
Publisher
Zondervan, 2016
A.S.K.: Real World Questions / Real World Answer
Author
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
Leading KidMin: How to Drive Real Change in Children's Ministry
Author
Pat Cimo and Matt Markins
Who should read it
Recommended for children's ministers, key lay coordinators and any invested leaders who desire to be "change agents" in their local ministry.
Why
Leading KidMin provides a guide on how to assess and realign your leadership of children's ministry within the church. Full of wisdom and stories from the authors' extensive experience in children's ministry, this book provides a clear and accessible guide for re-calibrating your ministry towards your intended ministry goals, and leading the change that you wish to see; with the church, leaders, parents and the children themselves.
Publisher
Moody Publishers, 2016
Perspectives on Family Ministry: 3 views (2nd Edition)
Author
Renfro, Shields, Strother (Edited by T.P. Jones)
Who should read it
Useful for those in church leadership, those with children and those who are interested in exploring family ministry models.
Why
Family ministry advocate Timothy Paul Jones introduces the key question: there are more and more ministry workers convinced that family ministry is an integral part of reinvigorating the church but what does it look like? Three different perspectives are presented with interaction between the contributors in a following chapter. A great book to start exploring an important question.
Publisher
Baker Academic, 2019 (2nd edition)
Crucial Questions (Series)
Author
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
Author
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