Product Description

Author Tony Jones follows up his (primarily theoretical) book, Postmodern Youth Ministry, with this practical, experientially based work focused on how ancient spiritual exercises are being implemented by youth ministries around the United States and Great Britain.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #589516 in Books
• Published on: 2003-06-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Synopsis
If you're unprepared for a book that makes faith come alive in practice, that makes past come alive in the present--and offers these gifts only if you're willing to spend significant time learning about the church's powerful, active spiritual heritage (and your place in it), then put this book down now. Still with us? Good! Because we really don't want you to miss this book. Soul Shaper is hands-down the most comprehensive primer on the study and use of spiritual and contemplative practices for the benefit of your teenagers--and especially your own soul. Inside, author Tony Jones gives wings to his critically acclaimed debut, Postmodern Youth Ministry, by lucidly explaining how you can put postmodern ideas to work by learning powerful disciplines such as-- Sacred Reading The Jesus Prayer The Ignatian Examen The Daily Office Stations of the Cross Sabbath Silence and Solitude Centering Prayer Spiritual Direction The Labyrinth Pilgrimage Service ...and eventually implement them into the life of your youth ministry! But Jones cautions us all: "These are not gimmicks. This isn't an Ideas book or a discussion starter book or a great-games-for-over-50-kids-in-a-gym book.

This is a strange book. Although it's about spiritual exercises and their application in the practice of youth ministry, please practice them before you implement them! You won't come close to learning everything you need to know after reading this book. In fact, you may be a few years from utilizing any of these practices in your youth ministry. But if you find one or two that you incorporate into your rule of life, I'm quite sure that you--and the students God has put into your care--will be eternally changed as a result." Complete with unparalleled instruction, deep and rich resources, and a look into Jones' research, travels, and personal journals as he bathed in the serene light of contemplative Christian spirituality, Soul Shaper is your next best step on the postmodern path.

From the Back Cover
If you're unprepared for a book that makes faith come alive in practice, that makes past come alive in the present-and offers these gifts only if you're willing to spend significant time learning about the church's powerful, active spiritual heritage (and your place in it), then put this book down now.

Still with us? Good! Because we really don't want you to miss this book.

Soul Shaper is hands-down the most comprehensive primer on the study and use of spiritual and contemplative practices for the benefit of your teenagers-and especially your own soul.

Inside, author Tony Jones gives wings to his critically acclaimed debut, Postmodern Youth Ministry, by lucidly explaining how you can put postmodern ideas to work by learning powerful disciplines such as-

Sacred Reading
The Jesus Prayer
The Ignatian Examen
The Daily Office
Stations of the Cross
Sabbath
Silence and Solitude
Centering Prayer
Spiritual Direction
The Labyrinth
Pilgrimage
Service

…and eventually implement them into the life of your youth ministry!

But Jones cautions us all: "These are not gimmicks. This isn't an Ideas book or a discussion starter book or a great-games-for-over-50-kids-in-a-gym book. This is a strange book. Although it's about spiritual exercises and their application in the practice of youth ministry, please practice them before you implement them! You won't come close to learning everything you need to know after reading this book. In fact, you may be a few years from utilizing any of these practices in your youth ministry. But if you find one or two that you incorporate into your rule of life, I'm quite sure that you-and the students God has put into your care-will be eternally changed as a result."

Complete with unparalleled instruction, deep and rich resources, and a look into Jones' research, travels, and personal journals as he bathed in the serene light of contemplative Christian spirituality, Soul Shaper is your next best step on the postmodern path.

About the Author
Tony Jones is minister to youth and young adults at Colonial Church of Edina in Minnesota, author of the critically acclaimed Postmodern Youth Ministry (Youth Specialties), and has an M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary. He's been published in Youthworker journal and is a regular speaker at Youth Specialties' National Youth Workers Conventions.