Taking Theology to Youth Ministry

by Andrew Root

Even if you know you’re called to youth ministry and are passionate about the students in your group, you’ve probably had a few of those moments when you’ve wondered why you’re doing certain things in your ministry, or wondered why you’re even doing youth ministry in the first place. If you’ve ever stopped to ask, “What’s the point of youth ministry?” … In Taking Theology to Youth Ministry , Andrew Root invites you along on a journey with Nadia―a fictional youth worker who is trying to understand the “why” behind her ministry. Her narrative, along with Root’s insights, help you uncover the action of God as it pertains to your own youth ministry, and encourage you to discover how you can participate in that action. As you join this theological journey, you’ll find yourself exploring how theology can and should influence the way you do youth ministry.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Religion, Christianity, Young Adult

112 pages, Hardcover

First published August 14, 2012

About the author

Andrew Root joined Luther Seminary in 2005 as assistant professor of youth and family ministry. Previously he was an adjunct professor at Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington D.C., and Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, N.J.

Root received his bachelor of arts degree from Bethel College, St. Paul, Minn., in 1997. He earned his master of divinity (2000) and his master of theology (2001) degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, Calif. He completed his doctoral degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2005.

Root's ministry experience includes being a gang prevention counselor in Los Angeles, youth outreach directed in a congregation, staff member of Young Life, and a confirmation teacher. He has also been a research fellow for Princeton Theological Seminary's Faith Practices Project.

Root has published articles in the Journal of Youth and Theology, The International Journal of Practical Theology, and Word and World.

He is a member of the International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry and the International Bonhoeffer Society.

Reviews

[Rachel Johnson · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book left a bad taste in my mouth. By the title I assumed it would be about teaching theology to young people. I was wrong. This is evidenced by the fact that that author only uses Scripture a handful of times and when he does, it’s out of context and ill used. He talks about figuring out how to give kids their “burning bush moment, to experience God as Godself intended.”

Yeah also the author has decided to use the pronoun “Godself” for God instead of the pronouns God has chosen for Himself in His Divinely inspired world. (You’d think in a world of choosing your own pronouns we’d let God pick his.)

There is little to no mention of Jesus in the book, and there’s almost no practical advice, just ethereal concepts of being on mission and doing it theologically.

I should have put the book down when I saw that the author got his theology doctorate from Princeton, but I didn’t and suffered through the mercifully short book just so I could write this review and count it as a book read on my goodreads.

[Tim Littleford · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a number of strengths to this book: it's narrative form, it's articulation of the impossibility of effective youth ministry without the participation of God, the importance of understanding our weakness, encouraging us to not diminish the mystery of God in looking for and giving answers.

But the theology Root takes into ministry just leaves a lot to be desired. The Spirit is not particularly present. He argues that youth ministry should help young people read their own lives for the presence of God instead of scripture. Which, I mean they should to an extent, but diminishes the vital importance of young people finding themselves in the story of God and entering into a life formed by scripture. His understanding of the gospel and salvation and even ministry itself just feels half-baked.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is pretty good! It helped me to stop and think about my own articulation of the purpose of my ministry. I appreciate the questions at the end of the book that help me to think through the content more intentionally. In true Andy Root style, it dwells a lot in the pain and suffering of life (Theology of the Cross stuff) and misses out on the other side of that coin - God's action in joy.

[Jeremy Serrano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in a narrative style, this book articulates that youth ministry is not about making kids like church, keeping kids good/moral, nor entertaining youth.




Youth ministry is about helping youth participate in God's action

[Gavin Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the narrative approach. Made it so much more accessible to this theology non-academic.

[Annie Beckstrand · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, stirring read. In just a few pages Root labels the tensions many feel within youth ministry. Some scenarios were so real that I laughed out loud in a form of relief to hear them articulated. It chronicles the beginning of a “theological turn” and the tension that arises with this is modern day ministry demands. The way that root used Exodus and the burning bush to highlight revelation, God’s action, and God’s mystery was unheard of for me.

Only reason why not 5 stars is some of Root’s definitions feel hard to keep track of - does not mean there is not truth that requires deeper reflection. Just left parts confusing for me.

[Josh Trice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Root offers a deep, concise word on youth ministry. It is a universal treatment of the ministry as a theological, formational and God-oriented enterprise that should be solely concerned with seeking the action of God in the lives of students.

I think all who serve in youth ministry (myself included) would be wise to heed the points Root shares here. Universally, youth ministry would be better off!

[Yesie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended book

This book gives insights to me when dealing with my restlessness as a pastor who serves God in the sphere of youth ministry. Meanwhile, this book leads us to enter deep reflections on how we dive into the unfathomable mystery of God in our life as vulnerable people.

[Keely King · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book challenged the way that I view and approach youth ministry on every page. Certainly not the quick read that the author suggests, this book had me examining and wresting with my own concepts of theology every time I cracked the cover. Totally worth it for anyone involved in youth ministry!

[Ryan Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of Root’s earliest projects, and in some ways it shows. His narrative writing and ability to deal with complex theology has greatly improved in more recent works. Still very worthwhile, and will be reading the entire four book series.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first in a four book series entitled, "A Theological Journey through Youth Ministry." Andrew Root has written a number of great books, but this series might be his most promising in terms of reach and impact. I say this because of how Root couches his theological perspective through the eyes of a fictional youth worker, Nadia, and her story. I've heard and read a lot of Root's theological content, but I was impressed by how well the narrative style here allowed the theology to strike me in the guts. Nadia's story surfaces the intense personal hopes and often conflicting outside pressures placed upon youth workers. Root carefully shows us how many of these hopes and pressures have been conditioned by a faulty understanding of ministry, adolescence, and faith itself.

I came away from this book with a renewed feeling (literally, a physical feeling) that theology matters, and is at its best a matter of life and death.

The final chapters ("What is ministry, really?" and "What is a youth minister?) especially reveal Root's importance for today's church. He shows how there should be no distinction between youth ministry and ministry in a general sense, once we understand that ministry is participation in God's action within our brokenness and impossibility - bringing Life in the midst of death. Specialized ministry to youth has been affected (infected?) by a number of cultural idols about progress and behavior modification that leave many young people feeling left out of 'the God thing' when they don't or can't measure up to the predominant, so-called Christian lifestyle.

[Dustin Tramel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learn something new every time I read this book. Great reminder that youth pastors are not support staff or babysitters. A youth pastor isn't called to do all the ministry but to assist the people of God in doing the ministry. It's not the job of a youth pastor to wire young people with faith. It's not their job to pass on faith to the youth. This is the job of the whole congregation. A youth pastor works in partnership with the whole church to lead the congregation to welcome, integrate, and honor people of multiple generations. "The youth pastor's job is to be one of the church's pastors by calling them to, and helping them with, the work of passing on the faith to their children and the children of their neighbors. Of course, the job will always focus on the youth, but youth ministry is not to be isolated in concern for only the adolescents. A youth pastor is not the minister to the kids but is called to minister to the whole congregation, advocating and assisting the congregation in participating in the action of God by seeing, hearing, and being with their own children by passing on the faith to them."

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am neither a youth minister or the son of a youth minister, but I appreciate the work of Andrew Root and think his writings are broadly applicable to pastoral ministry in general. This is the first of four short narratives about Nadia, a youth-worker that discovers her role as local theologian in the midst of the demands of youth ministry (from her pragmatic boss, parents that want her to do missions and parents who want her to entertain her kids).

Nadia discovers her calling as a youth minister is participate in God's own action and to missionally attend to God's own self revelation. She also comes to find her role as bigger than pastor to the kids but as pastor to the congregation as she walks alongside kids, participating in God's own action in their lives. This book is theological without being doctrinaire. I'm excited to read the rest of the series.

[Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read. I had Andy in class so much of his theology was transparent to me. I liked the premise of the book: Theology mixed with a young youth director putting theology to work with students any youth director will recognize. All the theology is footnoted so you can dig deeper if you want. I liked it as I am actively engaged in youth ministry.

[Marc Vandersluys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great foundation-setting thoughts. Encouraging and helpful largely because it confirmed my own prior thoughts. Of course, I'm always on the lookout for practical advice and alas this book does not provide it. That's not a bad thing per se.

[JD Mechelke · Rating 3 out of 5]

His main point is very good and he is very persuasive for the main point but every thing else in the book....he rambles a lot and he really needs some topic sentences.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

An approach to youth ministry that is refreshing and encouraging.

Written in a narrative approach, this book is not a chore to read, but it is easily digestible.