I was just asked about a week or so ago to teach another class at CBU in the spring. It's called Current Trends in Youth Ministry and is basically a research-driven class looking at current trends in youth ministry (imagine that).

I'm on a tight deadline for getting my textbook requests in so I thought I'd see if anyone has any suggestions. What books would you recommend for a course like this?

Labels: books, CBU, youth ministry

I finished my copy of Craig Groeschel's new book, Going all the Way, a few days ago. The subtitle is "preparing for a marriage that goes the distance." Groeschel does a great job of helping young single adults prepare for marriage. In fact, this is a book I would probably want to get in the hands of every college student and many high school juniors and seniors. Groeschel writes with an authentic flavor of exposing his own mistakes, failures, successes, and learnings in the hopes that others will be able to learn from them and create a great marriage.

Here are two big things I picked up:

1. Focus first on developing an authentic relationship with Jesus. This is huge. Since all of who we are in our other relationships flows out of this relationship, I think it's a big deal to work on becoming a committed follower of Jesus before jumping into serious relationships.

2. No matter where you've been or what you've done, start from there and move forward. I'm not sure if he said this exactly in the book, but there was a great mixture of warning and grace throughout the book. If you've messed up sexually, start with God's forgiveness there and move forward. If you've messed up emotionally with others, start with God's forgiveness there and move forward. There's definitely a time and place to deal with past hurts and failures, but God wants us to move past those into healthy habits and relationships.

This is a great book for the pre-pre-marital stage (no, that's not a typo). It's also great if you're already married. I've been married over 6 years and still picked up some great things from this "premarital" book. Groeschel is one of those authors who can mix challenge and humor in a way that causes you to laugh out loud while still examining what's going on in your heart.

Labels: books

Got this from Kurt Johnston...

The rules are:
1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next four sentences on your blog, along with these instructions.
5. Don’t you dare dig for that “cool” or “intellectual” book in your closet! I know you were thinking about it! Just pick up whatever is closest!

I'm at home posting so wasn't sure what I'd find. But my wife has her copy of Help I'm a Student Leader by Doug Fields on the desk so that's it. Although the A to Z Guide to Youth Ministry was very close to it and a potential tie. Here goes:

"You'll know about new students on your school campus before your church leaders do.

Grab a couple of friends and meet new students. Ask them questions and make sure they know you're available to help with any local contacts they may need. These helpful connections can spark friendships, be an answer to the family's prayers, and open the door for new students to be involved in your church youth group."

Labels: books, random

Ok, I've been tagged twice for this thing that I keep seeing everywhere - once by Sean Meade and once by Jason Pogue. So here goes.

1. One book that changed your life: How People Grow by Henry Cloud and John Townsend. This book has been pretty influential in the last few months personally as I've re-examined the way God works in our lives and uses people in our lives. It's given me a fresh perspective on grace and reminded me of the basic fact that God wants us to grow...He's not wanting us to stay the same so He can condemn us! Oh, and I think it will be helpful for helping others as well.

2. One book that you’ve read more than once: I Want to Go Home! by Gordon Korman. I wore this book out when I was in elementary school. I'm sure there's much more substantial stuff, but this one was pretty sweet for a kid.

3. One book you’d want on a desert island: Survive on a Desert Island by Claire Llewellyn. Hello?!?!?! If I'm on a desert island I need to know what this city boy needs to do in order to make it more than two days.

4. One book that made you laugh: Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. I know most people list this as thought-provoking and life-changing (and it's a great book), but he has some stinking hilarious stuff in there - like the story of Don Rabbit and Sexy Carrot.

5. One book that made you cry: Hmm, can't think of one. I know a movie that almost made me cry is Cheaper by the Dozen. It's so touching when they can't find Mark at the end. The family really comes together and....oh crap, what am I saying.

6. One book you wish had been written: Life as a 20-Something Married Guy: How to Deal with Toilet Clogs, Cockroaches, Ant Invasions, and Flooded Apartments

7. One book you wish had never been written: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. I had to read this my junior year of high school and it felt like we took an eternity to discuss it. I don't think I ever finished it.

8. One book you’re currently reading: Paradigms in Conflict: 10 Key Questions in Christian Missions Today by David Hesselgrave. Yep, can you tell I start seminary classes on Monday?

9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't by Jim Collins. I feel like I hear references to this every once in a while and need to pick it up myself.

10. One book you’d like to write: No title yet, but I'd like to write something on student leadership that walks a youth pastor through a total process of finding and developing student leaders. If I ever figure it out, maybe I'll write the book.

Whew, that took awhile. Now, I'm going to tag Nicole Lovato, Eric "Puddles" Putman, Jon McWhorter, Lucas Miller, and Carlos Whittaker.

Labels: books

This week is a little crazy. I'm trying to get used to a somewhat normal routine after almost 3 weeks of a vacation and a mission trip. I'm speaking in our services this Sunday for the first time so I'm starting to feel the pressure of that. Plus, I just finished reading Andy Stanley's new book and it's kinda kicked my butt in the area of speaking and preaching. So not only am I speaking for the first time , but I'm also speaking in an entirely different style than I normally do. Should be fun. By the way, if you haven't read Communicating for a Change you should. Full review is coming when I get some time later this week or next week.

Labels: books

Here's the next couple books on my radar:



Communicating for a Change by Andy Stanley and Lane Jones
- I've been reading as much stuff out of North Point as I can. They have got it down when it comes to being strategic and streamlined in ministry. This book is all about preaching and speaking. I've read some of what they've said regarding one-point messages and am interested to learn some more. I think it could cause some shifts in my teaching style.



The Multi-Site Church Revolution by Geoff Surratt, Greg Ligon, and Warren Bird
- More and more churches are turning to multi-site strategies as a way to maximize effectiveness and resources. If you haven't heard about churches doing this....don't worry, you will. Basically the motto of many of these churches is something like "One Church...Many Locations." Some of the best examples are Life Church, Community Christian Church, and Seacoast Church. I'm interested to learn more about this as it could impact my current ministry setting as well my future in ministry as well.

I'm going to try to pick both these up at Borders tomorrow afternoon when I get back to Riverside. Then I'll see if I can read at least one while I'm gone on our mission trip to San Francisco. I'll post a review of each when I finish.

Labels: books