For more than 50 years, relational or incarnational ministry has been a major focus in youth ministry. But for too long, those relationships have been used as tools---as a means to an end---where adults try to influence students to accept, know, trust, believe, or participate in something. While our motives may be good, it's possible that by focusing on these goals, we're not ministering the whole person. When we choose not to engage in the full life of a student, we run the risk of failing them and our ministry. In this thoughtful and insightful book, Andrew Root challenges us to reconsider our motives and begin to consider simply being with and doing life alongside teenagers with no agenda other than to love them right where they are, by place-sharing. As he shares stories of his (and others') successes and failures in relational youth ministry, you'll find practical ideas to help you recreate the role of relationships in your youth ministry. If you're involved in the lives of teenagers, whether as a youth pastor, volunteer youth worker, church leader, or parent, you'll want to read this book and work together to discover the value of place-sharing in the lives of teens. You'll see that it's time to tear down the old structure of relational youth ministry and start again.
Hey, my name is Andrew Root (I go by Andy), I teach classes on youth ministry, young adults, family, church, and culture (all with a deep theological bent) at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. I've written three books that are out (and one on its way). You can see those to the left. I live in St. Paul, my wife Kara is a Presbyterian minister and we have two kids (Owen and Maisy) and two dogs (that destroy my yard). When I'm not teaching and writing I watch a ton of TV and movies and I'm a huge Twins fan. Check out my webpage, find me on Facebook, or follow me on twitter.
www.andrewroot.org
www.facebook.com/andrew-root
www.twitter.com/rootandrew
