Customer Reviews

Getting Fired for the Glory of God: Collected Words of Mike Yaconelli for Youth Workers (Youth Specialties)

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Mike Yaconelli is one of the best authors and speakers for the youth culture and youth ministry. He pulls no punches, using both wit and wisdom to challenge and comfort the Church. He speaks for the heart of what ministry is supposed to be about - caring for youth and helping them to embrace real faith in Jesus Christ. Sadly he passed away a few years ago. This book is a collection of articles he has written down through the 30 some years of his public ministry. His children, who knew him better than anyone, compiled the articles to help us get a clear picture of what he was about. I encourage everyone who is thinking about youth ministry or currently working in the field to read it. Youth Ministry is a tough calling, Mike's words are so comforting to those playful, yet wounded souls who God has chosen to lead generations in Spirit and truth.

This book is a collection of articles by the late Mike Yaconelli, and if you follow the advice contained within, you will get fired. Some of Yaconelli's radical ideas include youth pastors taking time for God and their families, teens doing less and skipping sports camps when they conflict with time spent with God, not focusing on numbers, and only speaking of relationships during business meetings.

The titles of the chapters will grab your attention: The Sins of Youth Ministry, What Would Jesus Say?, The Problem of Parents, and Youth Ministry Rant. But the content in each of them will make you want to go set a metaphorical fire to every youth ministry in the country.

Yaconelli obviously cared a great deal for the youth of this world, and this writing shows that. But it also proves he cared deeply for the souls of the youth workers that minister to those teens. Yaconelli isn't afraid to state the truth, and has an inspirational quality that makes people want to change the world.

It's extremely unfortunate that I am just now getting familiar with Yaconelli's writing and speaking. He's a self proclaimed cynic who doesn't pull any punches when it comes to the church and youth ministry. He just tells it how it is-and I love him for it! This book is a collection of some of his greatest articles and excerpts from books. It also contains a DVD with some video from the National Youth Worker's Convention with his closing talks. If we all took the time to actually do some of what Yaconelli is suggesting, none of us would have jobs, but maybe our ministries wouldn't be as shallow as they are.

This book was amazing. It opened my eyes and mind to new ideas about youth ministry that I had taken for granted. If you are a youth pastor or volunteer leader, you NEED to read this book.

This is one of my most favorite books by a favorite in the ministry. Mike was something special! Terribly easy to read, comes with an awesome DVD of Mike speaking. Highly recommended!

I pre-ordered this as I could not wait to get my hands on it. Having recently losing my church position for doing what Mike talks about, this book reaffirmed that I was indeed on the right track and was following God and His desires instead of that of man. As always, Mike is witty, yet makes one think at the same time.

I'm not an avid reader but I finished this book within 3 days - it is a short read (which helps me) but I was just so engrossed in having this conversation with Mike (which is how you feel when you are reading his words). It is so great to know that you are not the only one who feels a certain way.

I recommend this not only for youth pastors and youth workers,but for senior pastors as well. In fact, be bold - youth workers, give this to your senior pastor as a Christmas gift!