The goal of youth ministry is “real” transformation. But “polite” youth ministry—when teenagers show up, say nice things to each other, yet never get real with one another—is not how transformational discipleship happens. Authors Tighe and Thomas believe leading young people into an intimate, abiding relationship with Jesus is the most important investment small-group leaders can make in life. And they truly believe that anyone who cares for teenagers can do it! Real ministry happens when volunteers/small-group leaders are equipped and empowered to reach and develop relationships that make a difference in the lives of the teenagers. But so many don’t feel like they really know how. Small-Group Leader’s Quick Guide to (Almost) Everything gives your volunteers the practical training they need in the bite-size format they’ll appreciate. This book is like a satisfying “protein bar” for youth ministry volunteers. It’s made for busy people who want to make a big difference in the lives of teenagers. Here’s some of what you’ll find packed into this quick guide: • Why relationships are EVERYTHING in youth ministry, and how to pour fuel on that fire • How to “decode” teenagers’ behavior in the moment and respond in a meaningful way • Why experiencing a relationship with Jesus matters more than just knowing facts • How to help hurting teenagers • How to set healthy boundaries for you and the teenagers • And so much more! If you’re a volunteer youth worker who cares for teenagers, you don’t have to be “cool” or wear skinny jeans or have a theological degree. You just need to have a desire to be present in the lives of students and feel equipped to respond. This book helps you do that...
A Volunteer Youth Worker's Guide to Leading a Small Group is perfect for anyone feeling disenchanted with the concept of small groups, and after Marko succeeds in changing your mind in the first few pages, he'll use the rest of the book to help you restructure and rethink your small-group programming so you don't get burned out again.
Insights, tips, and suggestions for small group of leaders. When put into play, these bite-sized, consumable pieces of wisdom help leaders "knock it out of the park" and set them up to win.
"You know that the key to a strong youth group is your volunteer team. And the key to a strong team of volunteers is a common vision and passion for both teenagers and the ministry. Unfortunately, you probably also know what a struggle it can be to get that vision out of your own head and into the hearts of your volunteer team. Too often, we youth pastors schedule regular meetings with our adult volunteers and small group leaders with good intentions, but these meetings often degenerate into a string of announcements about upcoming events and leave out the things that lead to deeper ministry.This unique, research-based training resource addresses the needs of you and your volunteer leaders and includes the voices of influential youth ministry veterans. Designed to focus on a key monthly issue over nine months, Essential Leadership provides you with insight and tools to make ministry team meetings work, and to engage all your leaders in discussion that will take both the ministry and the students deeper by exploring:Ò Your ministryÆs strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threatsÒ Integrating students into the life of the churchÒ Effective family ministryÒ Holistic ministryÒ Giving and receiving mentoringÒ Getting the rest you needÒ Deep justiceÒ Helping kids who are hurtingÒ Giving your kids a faith that lastsUsing this leaderÆs guide along with the companion participantÆs guide will strengthen your youth ministry leadership team so that together you can make a deeper impact on the lives of teenagers."
Over the past two decades, small groups have gone from spontaneous gatherings among friends to a major and elaborate phenomenon in the church. Many evangelical churches have some form of small groups ministry in place. But there's just one problem, says Bill Search--what started as a simple get-together has become a complicated process, especially for small group leaders. They are often not sure what is expected of them or what to expect from their groups as a result of their efforts. In Simple Small Groups, Search lays out the three C's of small groups--connecting, changing, and cultivating. This paradigm helps to simplify leading small groups in a way that is helpful, rewarding, and life changing. Unlike many other books geared toward small group leaders, Simple Small Groups does not require a church-wide adoption of an intricately designed system of assimilation, making it useful to any small group leader looking for guidance.
Jesus gave his followers a command: “Follow me.” And a promise: “And I will equip you to find others to follow me.” We were made to make disciples. Designed for use in discipleship relationships and other focused settings, Multiply will equip you to carry out Jesus’s ministry. Each of the twenty-four sessions in the book corresponds with an online video at www.multiplymovement.com, where New York Times bestselling author David Platt joins Francis in guiding you through each part of Multiply. One plus one plus one. Every copy of Multiply is designed to do what Jesus did: make disciples who make disciples who make disciples…. Until the world knows the truth of Jesus Christ.
Congratulations! You've agreed to serve as a volunteer-perhaps the most underrated, underappreciated, misunderstood role in youth ministry! But your role is also one of the most essential. Seriously-the healthiest, most effective youth ministries are built on a solid foundation of dedicated, talented, committed volunteers. The Volunteer's Field Guide to Youth Ministry will help you chart a course of growth as a follower of Christ and as a leader in your congregation. You can read it from front to back, or you can treat it like a reference tool-scan for topics that are relevant today, and save the rest for later. Chapter topics include: Discovering your unique personality and the way God has wired you Preparing for the adventure of youth ministry volunteer work Understanding the teenagers you work with Supporting parents as they raise their teenagers Working with other volunteers on your team Following leaders in your ministry and congregation You have a family. You have a full-time job. You have other commitments and responsibilities. Yet you understand the rewards and blessings of serving as a youth ministry volunteer. The Volunteer's Field Guide to Youth Ministry will become one of your favorite tools as you serve teenagers and help lead them toward a Jesus-centered life.
Since forever altering the course of the youth ministry world with his best-selling, groundbreaking book, Purpose-Driven® Youth Ministry, Doug Fields’ mind—but especially his heart—has been focused on the many unique needs of new youth workers.Doug translated his passion, insight, and vision for his beloved “rookies” into what you’re now reading, Your Fist Two Years in Youth Ministry—hands-down the most comprehensive companion to not only surviving, but also thriving, during the most crucial phase of youth ministry. Employing his renowned wisdom and humor—as if you and Doug were chatting over a long, relaxing meal—the author disarmingly relates stories and principles from his own successes and failures over 20-plus years in youth ministry. In the end, he offers treasure troves of practical advice, all in the hope that new youth workers can travel a smoother path and achieve real longevity in a church culture that all too often chews them and spits them out.Doug covers all-important issues such as:· Dealing with discouragement· Establishing a solid spiritual foundation· Building effective relationships with students· Resolving conflict· Ministering to parents and families· Trailblazing change· Working with volunteers· Defining a realistic job description· And many others!In addition, a chorus of insightful sidebar voices joins your conversation with Doug, among them ministry veterans Jim Burns, Steve Gerali, Mike Yaconelli, Helen Musick, Chap Clark, Marv Penner, Rick Warren, Jana L. Sundene, Bo Boshers, Duffy Robbins, Tony Campolo, and Richard Ross, all who’ve composed extensive, topical essays for each of the dozen chapters.Your First Two Years of Youth Ministry is a must-have tool for new youth workers, volunteers, seminary professors and students, senior pastors, elders, church boards—even veteran youth workers who’ve been ministering in unstructured environments and are now asking, “What did I miss? What can I still learn?”The first two years of youth ministry are never easy. But never fear. Doug fervently assures us: “Hang on. Hope’s coming!”