Product Description

This is among the very few academic textbooks on youth ministry that blends solid research with real-life experience. It is an excellent resource for undergraduate or graduate courses in youth ministry or for youth workers who want to ground their ministry in solid theology.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #121308 in Books
• Published on: 2001-03-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 400 pages

From the Back Cover
Starting Right: Thinking Theologically About Youth Ministry is the first academic textbook that introduces youth ministry students (whether undergraduate or graduate level) to a marriage of solid research, real life, and accessible design. Whereas most college-level texts may reflect a thorough (though impenetrable) mastery of the field, they tend to expect readers to plow through unnecessarily thick prose and bland design because "it’s good for them." Youth Specialties doesn’t agree. In this debut title to a continuing academic book line, college and seminary students will be introduced to real-life research, real-life youth ministry dilemmas, and real-life solutions.

Contributing writers represent a spectrum of Christian Education thought and practice, as well as widespread recognition in their field…transdenominational, yet the perfect background to ministry in any denomination or ministry organization

This text includes thorough indexes, design, and graphics that compel readers from page to page (now that’s a first for a college text!); organization that permits professors to use any part of the text, in any order, rather than plod through the entire book from beginning to end; a perfect primary text that gives students a rich, academic, and readable (though not "popular") grasp of every aspect of youth ministry a typical Intro course touches, while also serving as an ideal secondary text.

About the Author
Kenda Creasy Dean teaches at Princeton Theological Seminary, where she is assistant professor of youth, church, and culture, and director of the School of Christian Education.;Chapman Clark, associate professor of youth and family at Fuller Theological Seminary, is coordinator of youth and family ministry for Glendale Presbyterian Church.;Dave Rahn (Ph.D., Purdue University) is professor of educational ministries at Huntington (Indiana) College, and director of that school's Link Institute for Faithful and Effective Youth Ministry. He is coauthor of "Starting Right: Thinking theologically about Youth Ministry" and "Contagious Faith: Empowering Student Leadership in Youth Evangelism" and consults with Youth for Christ/USA as their director of national ministries. Dave's volunteer work with Campus Life/Youth for Christ continues to streak of youth ministry that dates back to 1972.

Customer Reviews

Thinking Theologically About Youth Ministry
Great text on youth ministry. Steers you away from programming to the essence of what ministry to youth is all about - God! I've used portions with a class in youth ministry in an international context with good reviews. It's great to finally see textbooks written about youth ministry that challenge the student to study and think more about why they are involved in ministry to youth.