Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry
by Doug Fields
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Book Reviews of Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry
Book Review: Youth Ministry Intern Insight
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm a senior in high school and I'm working as an intern with my church's director of youth ministry through a program at school. My mentor gave me this book as recommended reading. It was an interesting read from the stand point of both student involved in the youth and as an intern. I felt many of the points made about teenagers - we're watching you (sounds creepy huh?), we want something bigger than ourselves, we want adults to invest and believe in us - were hit right on from a student perspective. I really liked that he breaks down practical ways to approach the challenges of working in ministry; I felt many of these principles could be applied to different types of ministry. Fields does an excellent job of taking Biblical principles and walking you through how to handle them. He provides guidelines to implementing what the Bible asks of us and that's very helpful. I'd also like to say that I really admire his emphasis on relationships over programs and using programs as a tool to build relationships. This is unbelievably true and it works: I am evidence of it. I love my church and my relationship with God has grown dramatically because of relationships through the youth ministry. I can't say enough how important that is!
Stylistically/technically speaking, the book has some typos that really surprised me. I love English so things like that are glaring to me and frankly shocked me in a final publication of a book. His writing style is lighthearted, which is nice, although his jokes become predictably placed; still nice, but not as effective.
Overall I believe this is a great resource for guidance through ministry life.
Book Review: Glad I Read This Before Starting Full-Time Youth Ministry
Summary: 5 Stars
I am so glad I read this before starting in full-time youth ministry. But the cool thing is that this book is not just for those in full-time youth ministry. It is also great for adult youth workers and is written to help both. I am currently in Bible college and am preparing to be a youth pastor. I feel like I have a much better grasp of what it will take to be an effective youth pastor and how to do it. I can say from experience that Fields' chapter on what matters most to student's (being with them) is so true. I have been an adult youth worker since I graduated high school. Simply being with them when you can and relating to them as you would any other friend speaks volumes to them. As a result, I have students text me regularly just to say hello, and have even been invited to concerts and water parks with them. So, be with them! This really earns you a hearing with them. If they know that you care and that you are their friend, they will listen to you. This is only one of many great chapters in this book. Another great chapter is on building a strong adult youth worker team. Really, it was all good! I can see myself using this book to train new youth workers when I start full-time ministry. I can't recommend this book enough to anyone regardless of where you are in ministry.Book Review: A companion to revisit again and again...
Summary: 5 Stars
The beast of youth ministry is burnout, which is sadly a reality for so many youth leaders who start out strong, work tirelessly for the church, and fade into exhaustion-- and unfortunately, sometimes resentment. Youth ministry is difficult, and people who are just beginning their journey need advice from experience, advice that warns of those in the church who may hurt your feelings, advice that provides guidance in the planning of programs and curriculum... Advice that reminds you, "You will inevitably mess up; but you are human and you are learning. Don't give up!" This book is very insightful, and encourages people to take the long-term perspective, that youth ministry is about the marathon, not the short-distance race.
Reading this book really is like sitting down with a mentor who knows the doubts and fears you possess- and those you have not yet embraced- and prepares you for reality, for better or worse. My suggestion: read it before you enter a YM position, and read it again six months into your position, and again 12 months into the position. The wisdom will be new every time you read it as you gain more experience, and you will value the reminder in times of confusion and concern, that Christ is with you always.
Book Review: Buy This First
Summary: 5 Stars
This is by far the best book you could pick up as a new youth worker. Now three years into full time youth ministry, I still find myself going back to this book over and over again. If you are a new youth pastor, or are hiring one, this is not just 'a' required read, it is 'the' required read.
Bottom Line: Buy this text above all others on the subject. Read it. Twice.
Below the line:
Robbins - Nuts and bolts of youth ministry
DeVries - Family Based Youth Ministry
Robbins and Fields - Speaking to Teenagers: how to think about, create, and deliver effective messages
Clark - Hurt: Inside the World of Today's Teenagers
Book Review: Where was this when I started?
Summary: 5 Stars
This book seems to cover everything! New and even veteran youth leaders when from reading this book. If the material itself was not powerful enough, Doug includes additional insights from 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. Each is an expert in the field, and together make this one of my top ten youth ministry books ever.
If you have already read Doug's Purpose Driven Youth Ministry, you'll be surprised that this book is even better. More personal, more outside help, more stories, just plain better. Don't borrow this one. Buy it!