Reinventing Youth Ministry (Again): From Bells and Whistles to Flesh and Blood

by Wayne Rice

Reflecting on four-decade-long a career marked by wild social turbulence and remarkably creative and innovative ministry--including game-changing initiatives such as Youth Specialties and the Wittenburg Door --Wayne Rice turns his eye toward those who are to come. What does the future of youth require of the future of youth ministry? For three-dimensional people at the greatest cusp of change in their lives, set against a backdrop of a constantly changing world, it requires youth, parents, congregations and youth workers alike to undergird the activities of their ministry with a commitment to reality--to remember that the gospel is always, ultimately, a matter of a flesh-and-blood God pouring his life into his flesh-and-blood children.

207 pages, Paperback

First published August 11, 2010

Reviews

[Brother Brandon]

Unfortunately, this book quickly felt like I was wasting my time :( I read the first 27 pages (resisting the urge to quit reading) as Wayne aired dirty laundry and past hurt. I had to ask myself a few times, "What does this have to do with Youth Ministry"? After skimming and skipping a few chapters in, I gave up. Sorry, Wayne.

[Justine Olawsky]

This is a rollicking good tale of the heady early days of Youth Specialists, the whole YM movement that seemed to take off in the 70s and 80s, and a call for the next stage of YM to morph in to Family Ministry.

[Steve Taylor]

A lot of personal stuff I think he needed to get off his chest. Some good advice, though. Easy read.