Raising the Bar: Ministry to Youth in the New Millennium [Paperback]

Alvin Reid (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 25, 2004

Two-thirds of today's teens are interested in having a meaningful relationship with God, yet less than one-third of them are active in a local church. These statistics indicate that it is time to change how the church does youth ministry, and this compelling book provides an impassioned plea for the church to set higher standards for ministry to teens and their families. (20050420)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Reid gives an impassioned plea for the church to set a higher standards and reinvent the fundamental ways we have ministered to teens and their families. Endorsed by Jay Strack of StudentLeadership.net This book is for any youth worker who is discontented with the way the church is treating its teens. If churches have a desire to radically change the way their youth groups are run, then reading this book will point them in the right direction. It focuses on creative ways to study Scripture, new ways to do community and church service, and contemporary ways to enjoy fellowship. Teens are ready; it is up to the church to raise the bar." (R.K. Church Libraries )

Have you ever wondered how a powerful worship experience can complement powerful biblical preaching without overwhelming it? Are you ready to evaluate today's youth ministry? Raising the Bar scrutinizes both the successes and failures of student ministry. (Steven Pullis Enrichment ) --1

Have you ever wondered how a powerful worship experience can complement powerful biblical preaching without overwhelming it? Are you ready to evaluate today's youth ministry? Raising the Bar scrutinizes both the successes and failures of student ministry. (Steven Pullis Enrichment ) --m

Reid gives an impassioned plea for the church to set a higher standards and reinvent the fundamental ways we have ministered to teens and their families. Endorsed by Jay Strack of StudentLeadership.net --m

From the Back Cover

“We know how to be teenagers. We want [the church] to show us how to be adults.”

—Kristin, aged 17

Two-thirds of today’s teens are interested in having a meaningful relationship with God, yet less than one-third of them are active in a local church. Alvin Reid—an experienced pastor, professor, evangelist, and youth ministry speaker—suggests these statistics are more an indictment of the way the church does youth ministry than of the teens they try to reach.

Today’s generation of teens is marked by teamwork, authenticity, and a “can-do” attitude. They are much more than kids finishing childhood—an erroneous perspective of many in the church, and one that drives what often passes for effective youth ministry. Teens are young adults with incredible potential who need to learn how to be Christian adults. This compelling book provides an impassioned plea for the church to set a higher standard; to reinvent the fundamental ways we minister to teens and their families.

“[This book] is not for the faint of heart or those who are intimidated by this culture. It is written for those who are deadly serious about reaching and keeping this Digital generation. . . an unreached people group, ‘a tribe apart’ with their own language, values, customs and dress.” 

—Jay Strack
President, StudentLeadership.net

Alvin L. Reid (Ph.D., M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is professor of evangelism and the Bailey Smith Chair of Evangelism at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of seven books, including Radically Unchurched, Introduction to Evangelism, and Light the Fire: Raising a Generation to Live Radically for Jesus.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Academic & Professional; 2nd edition (October 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082543632X
• ISBN-13: 978-0825436321
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.5 x 8.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #456,403 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thanks for taking a minute to drop by my page. Don't let the snake in the picture scare you--he will only kill you if he is really hungry :-).

In my childhood days the last thing I thought I would become was an author. I had a vivid imagination, loved animals and all of creation (hence the snake), and an overly active mind. I doubted however my ability to put such thoughts on paper.

Now after all these years and a lot of writing--books, chapters, journal and magazine articles, and an active blog at alvinreid.com--I still think I have more to learn about the craft. But I decided years ago to take the plunge and have never regretted it.

I teach at an Evangelical seminary--Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary near Raleigh, NC--but I promise we do not teach snake handling :-). I am married (28 years now!) to the most amazing wife named Michelle. We are blessed with two great children: Josh, a junior in college, and Hannah, a junior in high school. We have a very close family and enjoy each other a great deal.

I travel and speak a lot. Over 70 events a year, from lectures at universities to youth camps in the summer, from church events to leadership convocations. I enjoy speaking on the revitalization of Christianity and missional living (if that is a new term, buy my latest book, smile).

More than anything I am a passionate follower of Jesus Christ. My life has been changed, and I have never quite recovered :-). So my books all reflect a desire for people to know and follow Him. Blessings.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Doing Pull-Ups on the Raised Bar February 16, 2007

By J. L. Grieme

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is a clear and well balanced look at what youth ministry is currently doing (and not doing), how youth truly are and what can be done to reach the "millennial" generation. It's very easy to be negative about who youth are and the fact that there are so many problems in their culture. Reid doesn't merely give us the "glass is half full" positivism but he presents real, empirical evidence that gives renewed hope and greater motivation to get involved and teach our youth to become great adults!

Reid systematically arranges the facts of our current practices in ministering to youth. He points out that "Youth are underchallenged and treated as children" (p. 20) yet this generation has by the nature of their very existence been forced to live with the fact that "their lifetime has always included AIDS" (p.25). Before reading this book, I had always assumed that today's youth are becoming increasingly more immature when compared with previous generations.

The author takes the time to establish the evidence of our current failed youth ministry paradigm and then closes his argument in order to secure a summary judgment. "Do we see young people as children . . . or as young adults ready to take on the challenges of a complex world they will so quickly face" (p. 41).

This book culminates with perhaps the most important, yet often the most overlooked, aspect of youth ministry: parents. His injunction to parents is clear and unwavering. "Parents . . . need to rediscover the biblical teaching of Deuteronomy 6:4-9. According to God's Word the primary place of spiritual training is not the church but the home" (p.155); raising the bar is for everyone!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book! August 20, 2010

By jayandle

Format:Paperback

Raising the Bar was not only a great read but a challenge to do youth ministry in a new and better way. As a young Youth Pastor just starting a youth group with 3 middle school students and 1 high school student this book has helped shape the way I am starting this group. I was able to use a lot of points that Dr. Reid made in a Youth Open House meeting that I held at my church to teach the adults of the church the real reason and heart behind youth ministry. I would recommend this book to any youth pastor young or old.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read May 12, 2007

By Tammy Moses

Format:Paperback

This was one of the best books I have ever read. Every youth pastor, youth worker or a parent of a youth should read this book. It will make you want to raise the bar in your own life and in the lives of the youth in your ministry. It's a very quick and easy read too.