Many people run scared from the middle school youth room. But (thankfully!) there are people out there who are actually drawn to those young teens. Although often times they're not equipped to deal with the unique challenges that middle school ministry presents, or they're just not sure what to do when a room full of young teens (who are 'part child, but not quite adult') are running around the youth room. Finally, there's a comprehensive guide to middle school ministry, from two veterans of this unchartered territory. Mark Oestreicher and Scott Rubin help youth workers understand the importance of middle school ministry, the development process for young teens and their implications for ministry, and how to best minister to these sometimes misunderstood students. They share their experiences (as middle school pastors and parents of middle schoolers), giving youth workers he encouragement, hope, and training they need to succeed in middle school ministry.
Middle School Ministry
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From the Back Cover
Many people run scared from the middle school youth room. But (thankfully!) there are people out there who are actually drawn to those young teens. Although often times they're not equipped to deal with the unique challenges that middle school ministry presents, or they're just not sure what to do when a room full of young teens (who are 'part child, but not quite adult') are running around the youth room. Finally, there's a comprehensive guide to middle school ministry, from two veterans of this unchartered territory. Mark Oestreicher and Scott Rubin help youth workers understand the importance of middle school ministry, the development process for young teens and their implications for ministry, and how to best minister to these sometimes misunderstood students. They share their experiences (as middle school pastors and parents of middle schoolers), giving youth workers he encouragement, hope, and training they need to succeed in middle school ministry.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Mark Oestreicher (Marko) is a veteran youth worker and former president of Youth Specialties. The author of dozens of books, including Youth Ministry 3.0 and Middle School Ministry, Marko is a sought after speaker, writer and consultant. Marko leads The Youth Cartel, providing a variety of resources, coaching and consultation to youth workers, churches and ministries. Marko lives in San Diego with his wife Jeannie and two teenage children, Liesl and Max. www.whyismarko.com. SPANISH BIO: Mark Oestreicher con una vasta experiencia ministrando a jovenes, ha sido pastor en diversas iglesias y ha escrito mas de 20 libros para lideres y adolescentes. Hoy lidera Especialidades Juveniles en Estados Unidos y es considerado una autoridad en discipulado juvenil.
Scott Rubin has been on staff at Willow Creek Community Church for 18 years, and he's currently the director of Elevate, the junior high ministry at Willow Creek. Scott, along with an entirely-fantastic team of staff and volunteer leaders, has the privilege of helping young adolescents follow Jesus. He also co-authored two books in the Middle School Survival Series with Mark Oestreicher.
Scott Rubin has been on staff at Willow Creek Community Church for 18 years, and he's currently the director of Elevate, the junior high ministry at Willow Creek. Scott, along with an entirely-fantastic team of staff and volunteer leaders, has the privilege of helping young adolescents follow Jesus. He also co-authored two books in the Middle School Survival Series with Mark Oestreicher.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By J. Greco
Format:Paperback
I've worked with middle school students on and off since 2002, and I really enjoy kids during this stage of life. But, if you've ever worked with junior high students before, you know they're a strange breed. It took me a while to figure out how to relate to the guys in my small group. Once I did, though, I really loved getting to know them and teach them about Christ. I also didn't realize how some seemingly insignificant things I did at the time would make a lasting impact on these students' lives. In fact, I think it'd be honest to say that just about everything I learned about kids this age came from observation and interaction, but it took a long time.
The authors of Middle School Ministry are veteran youth pastors and they describe the book as really being two books in one. The first part is all about the psychological, physical, and developmental changes taking place during early adolescence. The second part contains practical strategy for doing youth ministry with this age group. As I read, I found myself agreeing with most of the conclusions that the authors made and wishing that someone had given me a similar book (this one was first published last year) when I had started working with middle school students years ago; it would have saved me from a lot of wondering, some annoyances, and many the struggles of figuring out how to react to certain weird things that students tend to do as they navigate this important stage of life.
What I really appreciated about this book is that it went beyond the typical rhetoric that can go like this: Junior high students have B.O., so it takes a special person to work with them. Also, we need to make sure they're kept safe from worldly temptation as they begin to navigate their teen years, so youth group needs to be a safe place.... Read more ›
The authors of Middle School Ministry are veteran youth pastors and they describe the book as really being two books in one. The first part is all about the psychological, physical, and developmental changes taking place during early adolescence. The second part contains practical strategy for doing youth ministry with this age group. As I read, I found myself agreeing with most of the conclusions that the authors made and wishing that someone had given me a similar book (this one was first published last year) when I had started working with middle school students years ago; it would have saved me from a lot of wondering, some annoyances, and many the struggles of figuring out how to react to certain weird things that students tend to do as they navigate this important stage of life.
What I really appreciated about this book is that it went beyond the typical rhetoric that can go like this: Junior high students have B.O., so it takes a special person to work with them. Also, we need to make sure they're kept safe from worldly temptation as they begin to navigate their teen years, so youth group needs to be a safe place.... Read more ›
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By J. Dixon
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
It makes you feel understood. It challenges you to improve. It covers so many areas. Just what my ministry needs.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By A. Jack
Format:Paperback
Everything I spent ten years learning about middle school ministry, these authors have managed to boil down into a FANASTIC resource for church leaders, volunteers, and parents. Mark Oestreicher and Scott Rubin do the youth ministry world a great favor with this handbook on middle school ministry. How refreshing it is to see a text on youth ministry that covers all the bases, but has richness, theoretical depth and new, interesting topics and approaches. Such as change from the homogenized style of the usual youth ministry texts! The book is interesting enough to read from cover-to-cover and has enough coverage and depth to be suitable as a text for undergraduate studies. It includes things like early adolescents' cognitive abilities and ability to understand abstract concepts at various ages, how they grow spiritually, the role and effect of the family, the importance of them being involved in church activities, not just babysat. If you want to read just one book about ministry to middle schoolers, this is it!
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By J. Kammerer
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you work with middle schoolers, this book is a must. I've just finished it and am planning on getting one for every volunteer worker on my staff. You can tell both writers have had tons of experience and have spent lots of time studying to make this as helpful as possible.
The book is divided into two sections. The first deals mostly with how middle schoolers develop. How we can view their brain and body development and that shapes how we can minister to them. The second half of the book focuses more on practical ideas related to teenage ministry... ie. lessons, outing, building a staff.
I can't begin to tell you how beneficial this book has already proven to be in my ministry. I have already begun implementing some of the strategies laid out in the book.
The one down side? What's with all the parentheses? Goodness there seems to be some in every paragraph. But I know that is me being nitpicky. Enjoy the read!
The book is divided into two sections. The first deals mostly with how middle schoolers develop. How we can view their brain and body development and that shapes how we can minister to them. The second half of the book focuses more on practical ideas related to teenage ministry... ie. lessons, outing, building a staff.
I can't begin to tell you how beneficial this book has already proven to be in my ministry. I have already begun implementing some of the strategies laid out in the book.
The one down side? What's with all the parentheses? Goodness there seems to be some in every paragraph. But I know that is me being nitpicky. Enjoy the read!
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am a woefully young middle school leader and have been walking around in the dark about much of this stuff. Thank you for allowing God to use you to flip the lights on for me.
