Youth Ministry Nuts and Bolts, Revised and Updated: Organizing, Leading, and Managing Your Youth Ministry (Youth Specialties

by Duffy Robbins

Youth ministry veteran and bestselling author, Duffy Robbins, offers an updated and revised edition of his book about the important, behind-the-scenes mechaincs of youth ministry. The tasks of budgeting, decision-making, time management, team ministry, staff relationships, conflict resolution, working with parents, and a range of other issues, are the things that keep a ministry together and functioning well. Nobody gets into youth ministry because they want to think about these things; but a lot of people get out of youth ministry because they didn’t think about them. All youth workers—whether paid or volunteer, full-time or part-time—will find Youth Ministry Nuts and Bolts to be a thoughtful, fun, practical guide to youth ministry administration.

Genres: Young Adult, Reference

368 pages, Paperback

First published August 26, 2010

Reviews

[Justin Ruszkiewicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very solid youth ministry book, especially for lead youth pastors. It’s not an easy read, nor should it be one of the first reads that a youth pastor takes on. And Duffy Robbins mentions that at the beginning of the book. But this book covers may essential topics that aren’t as popular to discuss, like budgeting, starting/ending programs, conflict resolution, and even transitioning in or out of positions.

Some chapters were definitely more helpful than others and offered more content. Some concepts were just outdated as youth ministry has changed quite a bit over the last two decades. But all in all, I’d say 70-80% of the wisdom found in this book still stands today!

Rating: 8/10, four stars.

[Ian Kesler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was a decent book, “disclaimer I had to read it for school”. Although I do believe their are many good things in this book and very good things that anyone can pull from. I do believe overall it’s just long. The last 100 pages I found myself dreading picking up the book.

[Josue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very easy book to read, full of a lot of valuable information for anyone involved or seeking to be involved in youth ministry. Although there are a lot of technical "behind-the-scenes" information given, the author never fails to remind the reader of the importance and purpose of youth work. It is not about having the "perfect" youth group with the right kind of music and ambiance; eternal souls are at stake, and ministers who truly love the youth will serve the youth by preaching the gospel to them.
There are some things I didn't agree with, thus the 3-star rating.