Youth Religion

If you're tired of youth ministry that fails to change lives, it's time to change youth ministry. Building on two decades of the Fuller Youth Institute's work and incorporating extensive new research and interviews, Faith Beyond Youth Group identifies the reasons youth ministry often flops both short-term and long-term, and offers five ways adult youth leaders can cultivate character for a lifetime of growing closer to Jesus rather than drifting away.

Youth ministry is an essential part of most evangelical churches. And yet, there is a surprising lack of resources written specifically for youth workers focused on viewing all aspects of youth ministry through a gospel-focused lens. Featuring contributions from a host of experienced youth workers from a wide variety of churches, this how-to manual offers guidance related to every facet of youth ministry, from planning short-term mission trips to working with parents.

Why do youth ministries crumble? And what is the cost to students, parents, volunteers and church staff? Is a sustainable youth ministry possible, even after a youth pastor leaves? Youth ministry expert Mark DeVries knows the answer is yes, because he helps build sustainable youth ministries through his coaching service called Youth Ministry Architects. So take heart: No matter what state the youth ministry at your church is in—in need of a leader and volunteers, full of battles and stress, large or small in number—it can be built to survive and to last for the long haul.

What if we stopped trying to ‘fix’ kids whose behavior doesn’t meet expectations—and started digging beneath their behavior to see what they really need? Some children have big emotions, loud voices, or reactions that catch adults off guard. Whether they’re neurodivergent, have a disability, or have experienced trauma, their behavior often reflects a deeper story—not defiance.

The loss or disaffiliation of young adults is a much-discussed topic in churches today. Many faith-formation programs focus on keeping the young, believing the youthful spirit will save the church. But do these programs have more to do with an obsession with youthfulness than with helping young people encounter the living God?

Are you worried that your teen sees the Bible as outdated or boring?In today’s screen-focused world, how can we ensure teens stay rooted in God’s wisdom?Imagine your teen finding strength in 10-minute, digestible Bible stories packed with meaningful lessons. This book bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and modern-day challenges, making biblical teachings accessible and engaging for today’s teens.

Michael McGarry explores the foundation of youth ministry in the Old and New Testaments and brings that together with Church history in a compelling way. This contemplative and well-researched book provides a careful critique of youth ministry along with practical guidance for those serving in ministry.

Many of the statistics you read about teenagers and faith can be alarming. Recent studies show that 40-50 percent of kids who are connected to a youth group throughout their senior year will fail to stick with their faith in college. As youth workers are pouring their time and energy into the...

The strong and spicy heat of the gospel is the secret to effective and exciting ministry—just look at the early church! Gospel advancement was at the heart of the early believers’ discipleship, and the book of Acts gives us a vibrant picture of God’s plan to use us to build His kingdom. In Gospelize Your Youth Ministry, Greg unpacks the model found in the book of Acts, unveiling the seven key ingredients present within the early Church.

The Church today does not expect what it ought to from children and their parents, and this can be attributed in large part to a flawed concept of youth ministry. This need not and should not be so. This essay discusses the reasons behind the problem and proposes some biblical solutions.

It’s more common in youth ministry than we want to admit—burnout and failure. Exhaustion, frustration, disappointment, and conflict bring many youth workers to a point where they either choose a new church, a new career, or someone makes that choice for them. After thirty years of youth...

A New Kind of Youth Ministrychallenges you to take a fresh look at your ministry through the concept of “reculturing”—the act of changing the way things are done or simply creating a culture of change. No fly-bynight, change-for-the-sake-of-change concept, it’s about altering our...

Si queremos tener una iglesia victoriosa mañana, debemos enfocarnos en los jóvenes hoy. Comiskey escribe acerca de hacer discípulos de la próxima generación ahora. El autor analiza lo que está sucediendo hoy en el ministerio juvenil y establece su base bíblica. Comiskey pone en relieve las necesidades más sentidas de los jóvenes hoy, que incluyen la espiritualidad, las relaciones y el involucramiento. A continuación muestra las razones por las que estas necesidades pueden ser mejor atendidas en grupos celulares pequeños que también participan en una reunión de jóvenes más grande.

Have you ever wanted to change the world around you? God has shown us how to do so. In The Joshua Principle, you will learn what the Joshua principle is and how to influence your world by impacting the children and youth around you. What you learn in these chapters can help you transform any family, church, neighborhood, or city.

In Jesus Was A Youth Leader, Matthew Arrowood explores the unconventional path Jesus chose during His ministry. Rather than becoming an earthly king, scholar, or Pharisee, Jesus dedicated three and a half years to teaching and mentoring 12 young men. Arrowood argues that Jesus took on the unexpected role of a rabbi and teacher—a position that, even today, might not be highly regarded within the church.

To disciple the youth in our student ministries today, we have to understand the unique characteristics of Generation Z and apply lessons learned from recent decades of youth ministry. Pastor and Professor Timothy McKnight brings a wealth of new insights, resources, and guidance for reaching today's adolescents.

In Helping Teens with Stress, Anxiety, and Depression, Roy Petitfils gives parents, pastors, and youth leaders the knowledge, courage, and tools they need to step in, make a difference, and be the presence of Christ for teens in crisis. Roy Petitfils knows what it's like to be an addicted, depressed teenager, filled with self-loathing and desperate for help. He describes himself at high school graduation as by far the largest person in his hometown and yet feeling as though he were "stuck in Harry Potter's invisibility cloak".

"Netflix and chill", "broccoli", and LGBTTQQIAAP+. If you don't know what these words and phrases really mean to your teen, you are not alone. The verbal terrain of today's youth can be difficult to navigate and sometimes requires a guide - a culture translator to help parents of teens decipher the codes and unlock the doors to an ongoing conversation about faith and life.

We’ve all been there before: all the power and potential of our smartphone held hostage by a dead battery. You’re ready to operate, but your mobile battery isn’t! Youth ministry can sometimes feel a lot like this scenario. You’re ready to make a positive eternal impact on the young people you lead, but sometimes it feels like something is missing. Your youth worker battery is nearly empty.

Your ministry will grow bigger when your ministry gets better. If you apply what you learn in this book, you will see massive results in just one month! Guaranteed. In this book, you will spend 30 days looking at 30 ways to take your ministry to the next level. Every one of these tips is packed with the potential to help you build a better youth ministry one day at a time.