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Christian Youth Work
The statistics are brutally clear. 1,000 teenagers a week are leaving the church. Support among young people is decaying fast. For every church that has a flourishing youth group, there are three more that have none. Mark Ashton and Phil Moon, both experienced youth leaders, put forward a strategy for youth work which is both radical and "We want to give Christians a renewed vision for young people, a new confidence in what they can do for them, how they can do it and why they should do it."
- GenresChristian
240 pages, Paperback
First published February 9, 2007
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33 people want to read
About the author
Mark Ashton
38 books7 followersMark Ashton (1948-2010) was the Pastor of the Round Church in Cambridge. He was one of the most influential evangelical pastor-teachers of his generation.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 13, 2014
A rather depressing book!
He starts off well and realises a problem in the church - the youth aren't interested that much.
But then he goes on to say that it's because of the lack of youth workers. He argues this by saying that there are a lot of children and this must be directly proportional to the number of children ministers.
But you can by no means put forth a case for youth work based only on the assumption they are the answer to a dwindling youth-church-attendance based on children to children's workers ratio.
The Bible also hardly features in the book. Neither do the actually parents of the youth.
It is all portrayed like a bit of a fishing game - youth are the fish, youth workers are the fishers and the bait varies (something like cool games). So if you increase the number of youth workers you will catch more youth.
He is a Christian and he is trying to do a good thing but his means are not Biblical.
He starts off well and realises a problem in the church - the youth aren't interested that much.
But then he goes on to say that it's because of the lack of youth workers. He argues this by saying that there are a lot of children and this must be directly proportional to the number of children ministers.
But you can by no means put forth a case for youth work based only on the assumption they are the answer to a dwindling youth-church-attendance based on children to children's workers ratio.
The Bible also hardly features in the book. Neither do the actually parents of the youth.
It is all portrayed like a bit of a fishing game - youth are the fish, youth workers are the fishers and the bait varies (something like cool games). So if you increase the number of youth workers you will catch more youth.
He is a Christian and he is trying to do a good thing but his means are not Biblical.
July 27, 2020
The aim of this book is to “produce a theoretical and biblical treatment of youth work as a theological foundation for the youth ministry of the local church,” and I would emphatically agree that it has succeeded. Ashton and Moon have covered their work in biblical doctrine in such a way that I believe many youth ministry books have failed to do so. It lays out biblical teaching not only as a foundation for why we do youth ministry, but also for how it should look within the local church. Nearly all of its claims are supported by clear biblical doctrine.
Although very theoretical in nature, (which I appreciate!), this book also employs scripture for practical application. Specifically, Ashton and Moon spend a significant amount of time addressing the need for the youth ministry to be apart of the local church, and not a completely separate group. This is undoubtedly a consistent problem across local churches on a national scale, and this book gives a great foundation for how and why the youth ministry should be integrated. Ashton and Moon end by addressing the biggest youth leader error, which is to “ignore Christ’s command to feed sheep.” Indeed, our youth are hungry, and youth leaders must set out to feed them the way Christ has fed us. I would highly recommend this book not only to those employed or involved in youth ministry, but to anyone working full-time in the local church.
Although very theoretical in nature, (which I appreciate!), this book also employs scripture for practical application. Specifically, Ashton and Moon spend a significant amount of time addressing the need for the youth ministry to be apart of the local church, and not a completely separate group. This is undoubtedly a consistent problem across local churches on a national scale, and this book gives a great foundation for how and why the youth ministry should be integrated. Ashton and Moon end by addressing the biggest youth leader error, which is to “ignore Christ’s command to feed sheep.” Indeed, our youth are hungry, and youth leaders must set out to feed them the way Christ has fed us. I would highly recommend this book not only to those employed or involved in youth ministry, but to anyone working full-time in the local church.
October 14, 2020
I wish I would have known about this book sooner! This is an older youth ministry theory book that has been updated several times since its origin in 1986. Strong beliefs in parents leading the way, strong Bible teaching, and living life with students leading to organic discipleship. Really wanted to highlight the chapter on finding your few adult leaders and students to more emphasize in your discipleship as Jesus did with His few. Strong reminder to build a team to do ministry with you including adult leaders, parents, and especially older students. There was some elements of being outdated because of the age of the book, but the concepts and practical applications were timeless for the most part. Would highly recommend this book for all working with students in the local church.
December 27, 2021
Strong, thoroughly biblical view on your ministry.
Very very helpful for a church who is starting to set one up or employ a youth worker especially.
Carries the weight of the job, and the importance of it too.
Very very helpful for a church who is starting to set one up or employ a youth worker especially.
Carries the weight of the job, and the importance of it too.
April 9, 2022
Found this kinda boring and not very helpful actually.
November 26, 2013
Best book of its kind and gets better towards the end. Very helpful in planning a church youth program or in moving one forwards.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews