Simple Student Ministry: A Clear Process for Strategic Youth Discipleship

by Eric Geiger, Jeff Borton

Simple Student Ministry fine tunes the proven methods of #1 best seller Simple Church for the unique field of youth discipleship.Coauthor Eric Geiger, who contributed to the latter, takes a step forward here, neatly unpacking the key ideas of Clarity, Movement, Alignment, and Focus that will transform any over-stimulated youth program into a simpler, more results-oriented spiritual development process. Fun is still allowed, by all means, but the ultimate emphasis on maturing faith is simply essential. The anecdotal comparisons are current and on-target (Starbucks’ well-publicized decision to retrain baristas in coffee making introduces the idea that youth leaders might also be wise to revisit the gospel essence of their ministry). And case study data gleaned from small to mega churches and parachurch ministries will give every youth leader a relatable reference point from which to begin the successful metamorphosis to Simple.

Genres: Leadership, Christian, Young Adult, Church

232 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2009

About the author

Eric Geiger coauthored the multi-awarded national bestseller Simple Church and serves as executive pastor of Christ Fellowship, a large and growing multicultural church comprised of more than seventy nationalities near Miami, Florida. He and his wife, Kaye, have one daughter, Eden.

Reviews

[Andrew Bondurant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple Student Ministry offers a clear map to developing a clear process to disciple students in different contexts. The book does not seek to offer a model or a blueprint that you implement, but seeks to offer tools and a roadmap for developing your own model/blueprint for your context. I recommend this book for those who feel “stuck” in a rut where they aren’t sure students are actually being discipled. I also recommend the book for those starting in student ministry and want to lay a solid foundation from the start. Those entering ministry would benefit from supplementing this book with others that lay out more of the heart behind ministry.

[Kory · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really on board with the principle of simplicity presented in this book, (following the Simple Church predecessor). There are some useful applications to the student ministry world that this book helps to highlight more directly, but I also feel like it is not very comprehensive in that regard. The synopses of churches who have implemented these strategies in their youth ministries seemed a little too vague to make an application out of, and some of the storytelling of those ministries just seemed like a feel-good ad that makes you wonder if it is really working, which I think is the question we're asking if we find ourselves reading this book in the first place-how do I facilitate authentic, functional ministry?

So kudos for the idea of simplicity. But I want to see some of these scenarios fleshed out a little more clearly before I start stripping my youth group down to resemble anything I found here.

[Andy Grimes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple Student Ministry provides some clear guidance for evaluating current student ministry programming/events while offering practical steps towards creating a simple discipleship model. I had to look past the often unnecessary tone of arrogance. (I want the ministry I lead to be better, that's why I bought the book. Stop telling me how much my ministry sucks). In spite of that, the book contains some great content.

Noticeably missing in the proposed models and case studies is any mention of partnership with parents and families. I feel like that component of student ministry is too important not to talk about in a book like this.

I'm in the process of restricting the student ministry I lead at a small church. This book has helped jump-start the thought process and has provided me with a lot of "next steps" to make, both individually and collectively with the team of adult volunteers that I lead.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a new Youth Pastor so I have been grabbing at everything I can to help give me some direction and guidance. I am fortunate in that I came into my ministry with very little to no programming, so cutting things will not be difficult. The challenge will be recruiting volunteers to help us move forward with a process of discipleship for our youth. I'm looking forward to reading through this again and to begin setting up a process to give our youth ministries some direction!

[Matt Glidden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reminder to keep it simple. your purpose statement should be your process. Cut out anything that is not moving you through your process. Evaluate why you do what you do. THere are a number of good models/examples.

Very thought provoking. It definitely helped me zero in on what I am doing and why I am doing it.

[Aaron Thomas]

Great book.

[Eric Durso · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh, not great.

[Jerrill Wyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

First few chapters were on point and very helpful. It got redundant however and dull towards the end.

[Jt]

good thoughts