Caught In Between: Engage Your Preteens Before They Check Out

by Dan Scott

“…this book drops an anchor for leaders in the ever-changing sea of preteen culture. A must-read for preteen leaders!” Stuart Hall, communicator, author of The Seven Checkpoints and Max Developing Students of Influence

“…loads of practical information and step-by-step instruction for creating your strategy to reach preteens…” Allyson Evans, Nextgen Pastor, Life.Church

“…an awesome job of connecting the theoretical with the practical…” Sean Sweet, Community Director, FourFiveSix

ENGAGE YOUR PRETEENS BEFORE THEY CHECK OUT.

Preteens hold unprecedented influence on culture, more so than at any other time in history. Yet anyone who has spent time in children’s or middle school ministry has stories of preteens who sit against the back wall, roll their eyes at leaders say, and barely tolerate the hour. Or of some who just don’t show up at all.

Today’s preteens are getting lost in transition as they shift from childhood to adolescence, a unique and challenging time when they are not quite one thing and not quite the other.

In Caught In Between, Dan Scott draws from his experiences in both education and ministry, adds in the latest research findings, sums up conversations every ministry leader is having, and crafts a comprehensive plan to engage your preteens to ensure they have what they need to build an authentic faith.

BONUS CONTENT This book contains an assortment of worksheets and checklists to help you plan and launch your ministry to preteens. The worksheets and checklists are available for download, for free, with purchase of the ebook. Click the link provided in the “Worksheets & Checklists” section of the ebook to access your free downloads.

Genres: Discipleship, Church, Christian Living, Nonfiction

127 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 17, 2018

About the author

Dan Scott is a freelance illustrator of fantasy, science fiction, horror, and other similar works in speculative fiction.

Reviews

[Gregory Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this book from my church's resource wall and was immediately impressed by the opening chapter. The strength of the book is definitely in the cultural understanding of the pre-teen years. I found myself saying, "yes, that's exactly what we're seeing" to a lot of the content there. I would appreciate an entire book with more "child development" insight focused on these pre-teen years.

The majority of this book was about running a ministry focused on students in this age group. I'm sure this was written for youth leaders. The section on working with parents could have been much stronger in giving messages to parents of this age group. Instead, it was mostly for youth leaders to know how to talk to parents.

I don't like to "knock" a book for not being what I expected. On its merits, this book is fine. I will say that it would have been nice to have some footnotes or endnotes for the research used in the opening section of the book. I still find myself wanting to learn more about this topic.

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Think book clearly articulated a need for investment in pre-teens. Although I categorize pre-teens to be 5th to 7th graders rather than 4th to 6th graders, much of the book is still applicable. I greatly appreciated how much of the book gave me tangible preparation lists staying practical and logical while still communicating the goofiness of pre-teens.

[Joshua Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really powerful information here. I’m currently heading up the planning of our church’s preteen environment and this was fantastic.
It gives a great picture on why it is important to be intentional with preteens, and it provides practical application to be effective.

[Aaron Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I’ve read in a long time about ministry to preteens. Dan makes the passionate case for the critical and often misunderstood preteen. This unique phase has yet to be fully empowered and equipped by ministry leaders and yet doing so has the potential to yield the greatest results in life change.

[Joseph Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book, written with purpose and urgency. As a youth worker it is great to get a glimpse of the preteen mind and the life of preteen ministry before they transition into student ministry. Also as a new Dad it was wonderful to look towards ways to help my daughter grow up and transition smoothly at each phase over the next decade+ as she reaches the preteen years.

[Bill Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great resource to help parents and ministry leaders navigate the phase between elementary and middle school. It gives data and practical advice on how to change your approach to better engage preteens as they are navigating a major transition from childhood to adolescence.

[Liz Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you work in ministry or not, with 5th-8th graders, this is a must-read for you! Dan Scott brings light to the world of preteens and how to keep them engaged in Jesus at a time when its so easy for them to tap out. Catch them now, before its too late.

[David Brock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read with good insights for new leaders on what it takes to reach today's preteens.

[Daniel Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to read if you are thinking through how to reach preteens better. Even if you are not able to create their own space, it gives you valuable insight in how to care for them better.

[Kayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was about how parents can engage their children. It’s about how church leaders can create an engaging environment.