Real Teens: A Contemporary Snapshot of Youth Culture [Paperback]

George Barna (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 3, 2001

They are the digital generation, the Mosaics, a new wave of connected and decidedly upbeat young people who are anxious to make a positive difference in the world around them. Skepticism - once the hallmark of Generation X - is waning as the prevalent attitude amoung teens. As teens change, so must our way of teaching them and reaching them. How can we effectively convey the eternal truths of the gospel to high-tech, information-drenched, highly mobile youth who believe themselves to be self-sufficient? What are the challenges we face in reaching out to the Mosaic generation? And what are the opportunities they present? Once, again, George Barna points the way.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

GEORGE BARNA is the founder and directing leader of The Barna Group, a full service marketing research company in Ventura, California, that specializes in research for Christian ministries. George Barna is the best-selling author of books, such as Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions, Grow Your Church from the Outside In, The Frog in the Kettle and Boiling Point. He is also the publisher of The Barna Update, a free biweekly research report published online at www.barna.org.

 

Product Details

• Paperback: 178 pages
• Publisher: Regal (October 3, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830726632
• ISBN-13: 978-0830726639
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,065,038 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

George Barna was raised and educated on the East Coast before moving to California in the early 1980s. He held executive positions in advertising, public policy, political campaigns, and media/marketing research before beginning his own company, the Barna Research Group (now The Barna Group), in 1984. The firm analyzes American culture and creates resources and experiences designed to facilitate moral and spiritual transformation. Located in Ventura, California, The Barna Group provides primary research as well as developmental resources and analytic diagnostics. The company has served several hundred parachurch ministries and thousands of Christian churches throughout the country. It has also supplied research to for-profit corporations such as Ford Motor Company, The Walt Disney Company, Visa USA, and Prudential, and has assisted the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army as well.



To date, George Barna has written more than 40 books, predominantly in the areas of leadership, trends, spiritual development, and church health. Included among them are bestsellers such as Revolution, Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions, The Frog in the Kettle, The Power of Vision, and Pagan Christianity? Several of his books have received national awards. He has also written for numerous periodicals and has published various syndicated reports on topics related to faith and lifestyle. He also writes a bimonthly research report, The Barna Update, which is accessed by hundreds of thousands of people through his firm's Web site (www.barna.org). His work is frequently cited as an authoritative source by the media. He has been hailed as "the most quoted person in the Christian church today" and is counted among its most influential leaders. In 2009, George initiated Metaformation, a new organization designed to help people maximize their potential. More information about his current projects is available from www.georgebarna.com.



Barna is a popular speaker at ministry conferences around the world and has taught at several universities and seminaries. He has served as a pastor of a large multiethnic church, has been involved in several church plants, and currently leads an organic church. He has served on the board of directors of various organizations. After graduating summa cum laude from Boston College, Barna earned two master's degrees from Rutgers University. At Rutgers, he was awarded the Eagleton Fellowship. He also received a doctorate from Dallas Baptist University. He lives with his wife and their three daughters in Southern California. He enjoys spending time with his family, writing, reading novels, playing and listening to guitar, relaxing on the beach, visiting bookstores, and eating pizza.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book that every youth worker needs to read, January 7, 2003

By 

E. Johnson (El Cajon, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Real Teens: A Contemporary Snapshot of Youth Culture (Paperback)

George Barna has written plenty in the realm of Christian ministry that pastors and other Christian workers ought to read. In "Real Teens," he hits another home run as he describes the "Mosaic" generation, utilizing a number of polls and other research to show just where this generation has been, where it is now, and where it is going.

Having worked with teens for the past decade, I believe that I need to continue to keep up with sociological research such as this. And Barna makes it quite easy to do, incorporating easy-to-understand explanations with numerous charts. (In the wrong hands, this would be a "boring" book, but if you like stats and facts, you'll be enthralled.) Much of this information will be considered as I continue to do ministry among this generation. (If I didn't listen, then I am not taking advantage of making my ministry the best it can possibly me, and that would be a shame.)

One fact that I just didn't realize was how religious this group is. One-third of the generation attends youth group, for instance, though it's not always for the spiritual benefit but rather for the social interaction they receive. This is a generation that desperately craves truth yet embraces many moral relativistic ideas. We Christian adults need to help these young people develop their Christianity so they can be of benefit to the next generation that comes along, whatever its name will be.

If you haven't noticed, my recommendation for this superb book is a big thumbs up. Barna at his finest.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Barna Rings the Bell With This One!, November 7, 2002

By 

Edward J. Vasicek "Author, pastor, columnist" (Kokomo, IN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Real Teens: A Contemporary Snapshot of Youth Culture (Paperback)

I always appreciate Barna's fine research, though I sometimes disagree with his conclusions and suggested responses to data. But Barna not only provides us with a wealth of information about modern teens, he offers solid direction for church leaders or parents as well.

Today's teens are generally more positive and cheerful than teens were just 3 or 4 years ago. In many ways, they are a breath of fresh air when compared to the past two generations.

On the other hand, today's youth think less logically and more emotionally than previous generations. Using the "four personality type grid," Barna reveals that 45% of todays teens are Influencers (Sanguines), compared to 30% of the adult population. This section alone is worth the price of the book.

Barna tells all: their spiritual beliefs, their mode of thinking, and their views of church. After a thorough analysis of all the data, he urges church leaders and youth groups to concentrate more on ministry to teens and less on marketting (real ministry as opposed to merely drawing large numbers through entertainment).

The seven chapters are titled, Lifestyles and Influences, What They're Thinking and Feeling, Matters of the Heart, Inside the Heads of Teens, White/Black/Hispanic, Faith and Spirituality, and Challenges on the Road Less Traveled.

Anyone who is concerned about youth ministry (youth pastors, sponsors, senior pastors, board members, teachers, parents of teens, etc.)simply must read this one!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Youth Ministry resource, February 2, 2003

By 

Gordon W. Marchant (McLean, VA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Real Teens: A Contemporary Snapshot of Youth Culture (Paperback)

This is not a book that will necessarily tell you "how" to program effective youth ministry. Nor, does it try. Rather, it is a book that gives you the background on what youth are thinking. As well, Barna gives some clues as to what might be expected from youth in the future. I am so thankful that I purchased this resource.