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Purpose-Driven® Youth Ministry
If you long to reach kids and see their lives changed by God, this comprehensive guide shows you how. Purpose Driven Youth Ministry will do for youth ministry what Rick Warren's Gold Medallion award-winning, The Purpose Driven Church is doing for pastoral ministry. It's an indispensable guide to creating and maintaining youth ministry for the long run. It will help you create a solid spiritual team that builds the foundations of the Christian faith into the hearts and lives of young people. Forged around the fundamental purposes of evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, and worship, Purpose Driven Youth Ministry uses the experiences of Saddleback Church to illustrate what a healthy Youth ministry can be. Nine transferable principles help you - Connect with the power of God for passionate, committed leadership - Define the purpose of your ministry and communicate it effectively - Identify your potential audience - Create programs that reach your audience and fulfill God's purposes - Implement processes that move students to maturity - Enhance your ministry with clearly defined values - Team up with parents to involve the whole family - Find volunteers and develop them into participating leaders - Persevere through tough times and thrive in an ever-changing environment. Balancing both theory and practice, Purpose Driven Youth Ministry can be applied to any church setting, regardless of size, denomination, facilities, resources, and existing leadership. Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry will help you develop a ministry that equips students rather than a ministry that coordinates events. Doug Fields says, 'My goal for this book is to coach you through a plan to build a healthy youth ministry that isn't dependent on one great youth leader and won't be destroyed when the youth worker leaves the church. It's not a book on how to grow your youth ministry with six easy steps; it's about identifying, establishing, and building health into your church's youth ministry.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
61 people are currently reading
562 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 31, 2013
When my senior pastor told me to order a copy of this book and read it, I wasn't very hopeful. Actually, I was nearly predisposed that this book would be crap. "Why?" you ask. Well, because in my mind, and the minds of many of my friends, the Purpose Drive brand has become synonymous with self-help, fluff, market driven Christianity. "Concoct a purpose statement of your own choosing and market the heck out of it and you will succeed." Not my thing. Rather than read "practical" books that seem to be the fodder most youth ministers, I love to read Biblical studies and deep theology or just plain old good quality fiction.
Grudgingly, I began to read PDYM, keeping an eye out for heresy. Now that I'm finished with it I cannot vouch for the rest of the Purpose Driven material, but Doug Fields has done a fine job of presenting a program for discipleship driven youth ministry. Over the pass few months I have struggled to adapt to the role of youth pastor. Fields offered me sound Biblical advice on a number of issues that has proved quite helpful.
The nine purposes are:
1. Power of God: helping passionate leaders with pure hearts to rely on God (no heresy here).
2. Purpose: Knowing why your youth ministry exists, writing it out, and putting leadership behind it (Here Fields is careful to stay focused on looking to the Bible).
3. Potential Audience: Identifying your students and their receptivity to your purposes (Basically, he asks you to assess your students' spiritual maturity and church involvement so you better know how to teach them...no real problems here).
4. Programs: Creating programs to fulfill the purposes and reach the potential audiences ["Programs are intended to influence students(not just stir up activity); essentially, Fields encourages reader to know the reason for each program. When I assessed most of the programs in the youth ministry when I arrived, they center on one thing--fun. What about discipleship, evangelism, true biblical fellowship, worship, or ministry? These are the things I'm now trying to keep in mind when my Youth Committee is trying to schedule parties and trips and dinners].
5. Process: Showing how you intend to move your audience toward spiritual maturity (another way of saying that discipleship doesn't happen accidentally).
6. Planned Values: Identifying the beliefs and styles that will help support the purposes (What are the leader's expectations for how the ministry needs to reflect it's purpose. Let's face it. Every church has values. Some are latent and some are explicit. Takes a look at how to communicate those values to the kids and the servants in your ministry).
7. Parents: Teaming up with the family for a stronger youth ministry.
8. Participating Leaders: Knowing how to bring others on board to help fulfill the purposes (Looks at how to select people to help in the ministry and how to keep them accountable).
9. Perseverance: Knowing how to stay focused, remain fresh--and stay alive!
Fields does use his Saddleback experience to describe his points (some people have complained that he is trying to lift up Saddleback as the model to clone), but he is quick to say that he is just offering up what he has done as an illustration and often says that churches should do what works best for them. Presently, my youth group is around 20 kids, so many of the examples do not directly apply. However, there is plenty of help here for smaller churches too. There was a bit of market driven approach in a few chapters, but not nearly as much as I would have suspected.
Pretty good stuff all in all.
Grudgingly, I began to read PDYM, keeping an eye out for heresy. Now that I'm finished with it I cannot vouch for the rest of the Purpose Driven material, but Doug Fields has done a fine job of presenting a program for discipleship driven youth ministry. Over the pass few months I have struggled to adapt to the role of youth pastor. Fields offered me sound Biblical advice on a number of issues that has proved quite helpful.
The nine purposes are:
1. Power of God: helping passionate leaders with pure hearts to rely on God (no heresy here).
2. Purpose: Knowing why your youth ministry exists, writing it out, and putting leadership behind it (Here Fields is careful to stay focused on looking to the Bible).
3. Potential Audience: Identifying your students and their receptivity to your purposes (Basically, he asks you to assess your students' spiritual maturity and church involvement so you better know how to teach them...no real problems here).
4. Programs: Creating programs to fulfill the purposes and reach the potential audiences ["Programs are intended to influence students(not just stir up activity); essentially, Fields encourages reader to know the reason for each program. When I assessed most of the programs in the youth ministry when I arrived, they center on one thing--fun. What about discipleship, evangelism, true biblical fellowship, worship, or ministry? These are the things I'm now trying to keep in mind when my Youth Committee is trying to schedule parties and trips and dinners].
5. Process: Showing how you intend to move your audience toward spiritual maturity (another way of saying that discipleship doesn't happen accidentally).
6. Planned Values: Identifying the beliefs and styles that will help support the purposes (What are the leader's expectations for how the ministry needs to reflect it's purpose. Let's face it. Every church has values. Some are latent and some are explicit. Takes a look at how to communicate those values to the kids and the servants in your ministry).
7. Parents: Teaming up with the family for a stronger youth ministry.
8. Participating Leaders: Knowing how to bring others on board to help fulfill the purposes (Looks at how to select people to help in the ministry and how to keep them accountable).
9. Perseverance: Knowing how to stay focused, remain fresh--and stay alive!
Fields does use his Saddleback experience to describe his points (some people have complained that he is trying to lift up Saddleback as the model to clone), but he is quick to say that he is just offering up what he has done as an illustration and often says that churches should do what works best for them. Presently, my youth group is around 20 kids, so many of the examples do not directly apply. However, there is plenty of help here for smaller churches too. There was a bit of market driven approach in a few chapters, but not nearly as much as I would have suspected.
Pretty good stuff all in all.
July 8, 2008
My church is very small. And my youth group small as well. The few chapters did a very good job at explaining how to write a purpose statement and gave good Biblical explanations as to each part of a "good" purpose statement. As I was reading the beginning on this book I was inspired. I felt that "my" church could actually take some of this information in the book and apply it to the youth group. However, as I read on the information clearly was written for a church with a youth group with at least 50 youth, with possibly 5-10 new youth a year. Unfortunately there was no "alternate" version supplied or modification of the program given in the book.
It is very well written and well researched-at least at the church where this model was first used, but I find it hard to put into practise 95% of this book in a youth group of 10 kids.
It is very well written and well researched-at least at the church where this model was first used, but I find it hard to put into practise 95% of this book in a youth group of 10 kids.
July 28, 2011
Great but gets extremely tedious. Can be overwelming! Borders on performance based ministry in my opinion.
March 14, 2021
Great book. Just a couple of things outdated. Did I worth the read.
November 14, 2011
I knew going in that this wasn't going to have a "Reformed" philosophy of ministry, but a few Reformed people had recommended it to me so I thought I'd give it a try and try to have an open mind. And, while there was some helpful things in the book, I had to wade through lots of marketing techniques, acronyms, and things that I just didn't find helpful to get to the useful parts. The section on small groups was good. And I took some notes and learned some things here and there throughout the book.
But this book just does not connect to my situation at all. I work with a small youth group at a small church, the author worked with a mega-church youth group. He claims that these principles would fit in any context, but that's just not the case. His youth ministry has dozens of programs and volunteers, etc., it's just a different ballgame.
Finally, although he claims at the beginning of the book that he is "purpose-driven and not program-driven," I couldn't tell the difference. Sure purpose plays a big part of the ministry, but the ministry is built on and around programs. He lists tons of programs in this book, each with a snazzy name and an acronym that sums up the "core values" and "target audiences" and so on. In my experience, programs wear people out, keep them too busy, and make them falsely feel like they are getting closer to God because they can check off a list of "Christian events" they attended that week or month. Ministry needs to be gospel-driven, not purpose- or program-driven.
A better book on youth ministry would be built on theology and not on methodology (which is basically all this book is, "here's what I do at my church"). A better book would also be gospel-focused in that it would consider what the Bible and experiential wisdom teach us about human nature and how the gospel applies to and satisfies those needs, all through the lens of contemporary youth culture. Someone write that book.
But this book just does not connect to my situation at all. I work with a small youth group at a small church, the author worked with a mega-church youth group. He claims that these principles would fit in any context, but that's just not the case. His youth ministry has dozens of programs and volunteers, etc., it's just a different ballgame.
Finally, although he claims at the beginning of the book that he is "purpose-driven and not program-driven," I couldn't tell the difference. Sure purpose plays a big part of the ministry, but the ministry is built on and around programs. He lists tons of programs in this book, each with a snazzy name and an acronym that sums up the "core values" and "target audiences" and so on. In my experience, programs wear people out, keep them too busy, and make them falsely feel like they are getting closer to God because they can check off a list of "Christian events" they attended that week or month. Ministry needs to be gospel-driven, not purpose- or program-driven.
A better book on youth ministry would be built on theology and not on methodology (which is basically all this book is, "here's what I do at my church"). A better book would also be gospel-focused in that it would consider what the Bible and experiential wisdom teach us about human nature and how the gospel applies to and satisfies those needs, all through the lens of contemporary youth culture. Someone write that book.
March 13, 2013
While some concepts in the book make sense, it came across more to me as "Look at what Saddleback Church does and copy us!" as opposed to encouraging churches to focus on how God is leading them to healthy youth ministry. Another complaint I have about the book is that the author dedicates ONLY ONE chapter to the concept of Family Integrative youth ministry.
April 8, 2014
Was supposed to read this for work, but never made it all the way through. I don't believe you can plan out the success of a ministry with a formula or like a business. Where's the Holy Spirit?
July 10, 2023
I am new at being the “main guy” in student ministry but have had years as a volunteer under my belt. This book provided a lot of validation in a lot of things I had learned under mentors and by observing student ministries.
The first few chapters that really break down the idea of writing a purpose statement and working to set a vision for your ministry provided great examples and tools for how to do so. They were very helpful with helping me craft my own purpose and values statements as I stepped into the new role of officially being a student minister on staff at a church.
The second half of the book however tended to kind of drag on. While there were some inspiring quotes and good tips, much of the later chapters seemed to be a “look at how we’re doing it at saddleback church” opposed to the earlier chapters which felt more like “here is why you should do it, and here’s some tips from experience on how to do so”.
Overall the book has provided me with great tools and insight into how to lead a student ministry that is purposed on loving students and winning their hearts for Christ.
The first few chapters that really break down the idea of writing a purpose statement and working to set a vision for your ministry provided great examples and tools for how to do so. They were very helpful with helping me craft my own purpose and values statements as I stepped into the new role of officially being a student minister on staff at a church.
The second half of the book however tended to kind of drag on. While there were some inspiring quotes and good tips, much of the later chapters seemed to be a “look at how we’re doing it at saddleback church” opposed to the earlier chapters which felt more like “here is why you should do it, and here’s some tips from experience on how to do so”.
Overall the book has provided me with great tools and insight into how to lead a student ministry that is purposed on loving students and winning their hearts for Christ.
October 26, 2019
If you are in youth ministry, this is a MUST read.
Ministry changes with the culture, so it changes REALLY fast. This book is over 20 years old. Still, it has some timeless principles as well as some structures that youth ministers who are just starting out need to know.
Even though things change fast, these structures can be modified and adapted to fit modern needs.
These structures are worth the cover price alone!
Ministry changes with the culture, so it changes REALLY fast. This book is over 20 years old. Still, it has some timeless principles as well as some structures that youth ministers who are just starting out need to know.
Even though things change fast, these structures can be modified and adapted to fit modern needs.
These structures are worth the cover price alone!
February 9, 2022
Even though our youth is basically high school, college and young adult ministry altogether, this was very helpful in understanding how to apply the five main purposes for the church, evaluate the programs we have now, and understand which purposes and programs we are severely lacking in: discipleship/spiritual habits and evangelism. Also, being a leader in a junior high ministry, the discipline section was very needed, refreshing and clarifying.
November 14, 2022
Loved this book, this is the most practical** youth ministry book that has ever been written. This is basically Saddlebacks entire youth ministry strategy. Super good. IF you're a youth pastor, you need to read this book!
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November 30, 2022Such an encouraging book and so helpful for the youth ministry I lead. I am looking forward to implementing these strategies. Coming up with a purpose statement, planned values and specific events for the potential audiences we have. Thank-you for writing such a practical book.
January 12, 2023
Classic book for youth pastors
October 1, 2013
When I was being ministered to as a youth in my church's youth ministry, this was the system I was propelled to. I don't think I turned out that well according to plan but eventually through God's plan, I found my way back.
And I potentially see my experience getting lost and bumped around church as useful in helping me to reach out to students once again. As I rebuild my passion and start to take baby steps back into serving and leading in the ministry, this book has really given me a lot of new perspectives. The current state of the ministry has deviated somewhat from the original spirit of it when I was still being ministered to, but I am eager to make a difference - not by implementing changes top down but by slowly influencing people around me to see the value of change and this system, especially when God and building the Kingdom is the focus of every step.
I am glad I chose to read this book before I really went back full force into serving in the ministry. While there are a lot of things that may not be so culturally/practically relevant to my church, I see what Fields means by retaining the spirit of it and picking out the same principles that will apply to every church eager to follow God. Every current ministry will start out on a different point in this book and rather than dejected that a lot of work, patience and love is needed in my ministry, I am inspired by the potential that Fields presents in this book for every ministry!
I think what's important is that we try not to be hasty in implementing all the changes, but think through what is the next step our own ministry should take. So, I think for fellow readers who have also gone through this book but feel that it is not relevant - I encourage you to take it slow and see if that idea changes.
This is definitely a book we all have to keep referring to if we are serious in building a purpose-driven ministry, not just a one-time read. I borrowed this copy from my church office - and I am planning to get a copy of my own to scribble on, bookmark and take notes!
I am excited! And I hope everyone who has had the courage to take this book up can also be excited about what they can do for their church, no matter of what size. My ministry isn't huge too, but I believe there's always something we can do. :)
And I potentially see my experience getting lost and bumped around church as useful in helping me to reach out to students once again. As I rebuild my passion and start to take baby steps back into serving and leading in the ministry, this book has really given me a lot of new perspectives. The current state of the ministry has deviated somewhat from the original spirit of it when I was still being ministered to, but I am eager to make a difference - not by implementing changes top down but by slowly influencing people around me to see the value of change and this system, especially when God and building the Kingdom is the focus of every step.
I am glad I chose to read this book before I really went back full force into serving in the ministry. While there are a lot of things that may not be so culturally/practically relevant to my church, I see what Fields means by retaining the spirit of it and picking out the same principles that will apply to every church eager to follow God. Every current ministry will start out on a different point in this book and rather than dejected that a lot of work, patience and love is needed in my ministry, I am inspired by the potential that Fields presents in this book for every ministry!
I think what's important is that we try not to be hasty in implementing all the changes, but think through what is the next step our own ministry should take. So, I think for fellow readers who have also gone through this book but feel that it is not relevant - I encourage you to take it slow and see if that idea changes.
This is definitely a book we all have to keep referring to if we are serious in building a purpose-driven ministry, not just a one-time read. I borrowed this copy from my church office - and I am planning to get a copy of my own to scribble on, bookmark and take notes!
I am excited! And I hope everyone who has had the courage to take this book up can also be excited about what they can do for their church, no matter of what size. My ministry isn't huge too, but I believe there's always something we can do. :)
October 15, 2008
A book for "everyone" in youth ministry. I wish I would have read this a few years ago and avoided a lot of pitfalls I've run into. If you feel this book is only for larger ministries you're wrong. I've worked in small youth ministries and the book was very applicable to me. I will admit that the information is slightly favorable to larger churches though.
A must read if you have anything to do with youth ministry. Best read when you're working in an environment where you can apply the book too.
A must read if you have anything to do with youth ministry. Best read when you're working in an environment where you can apply the book too.
October 31, 2015
A fantastic beginners resource for any new youth Pastor or youth worker within a church setting. Gives a plausible argument for creating a purpose statement and getting your teams to wok towards the purpose of the group and why you exist. Some practical tips and forms etc. which are helpful if you a re from America, which I am not but you can adapt the main points to suit. I used this method for 7 years in youth ministry and it served me well. Even if you do not agree with every point it is still a must have on the shelf for youth ministry.
April 17, 2008
I ignored this book for awhile because I didn't want to read another "Purpose Driven Life;" however, I really enjoyed this one. Fields did a great job on making sure the reader knows what youth ministry is really all about. It gives great advice and outlooks. I liked how the first part of the book is devoted to the youth leader's heart.
September 7, 2007
This is a great book on Youth Ministry. It is very expansive and includes everything from small groups, to large groups, to training and caring for leaders, to communicating with parents and everything in between else. It is very easy to read and very practical.
July 21, 2008
Definately helpful, however some ideas are mainly for bigger ministries. I wish I read his "Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry" first, as that's what Doug Fields reccomends, and I'm on my way into my second year and am yet to read it.
September 25, 2009
So I haven't actually read the whole thing, but we went through chunks of it and it was very helpful to use it in making decisions about where our youth ministry is going. The book made us consider the purpose of what we're doing rather than just going ahead full speed for no particular reason.
October 29, 2012
It was probably pride that kept me from picking up something titled "purpose driven anything", but it's actually helpful. Not life changing, not especially Biblically thoughtful, but, with a grain of salt, useful.
August 30, 2013
Read this as an "idea book" and not a "copy our model it will work for you" and you'll benefit greatly. The PDYM simply won't work for small to medium sized churches or those that choose to be less structured than Saddleback. Still, important part of a youth minister's library.
October 16, 2007
Good ideas.
December 2, 2008
One of the most influential books I've ever read. I really appreciate Fields' passion to pass on the stuff he's learned about youth ministry to us fellow youth pastors.
May 7, 2009
fulfills it's purpose good, but does not address the concerns of the smaller local church.
December 9, 2009
will constantly reference!
July 28, 2011
it might have been better if there would have been something for me to use in my situation.
March 10, 2015
Great book both practical & inspirational
May 14, 2012
Totally useful in youth ministry; a must read!
April 11, 2016
This book revolutionized our youth ministry. I hadn't ever thought that I could plan out ministry like this.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews