Customer Reviews

Relationships Unfiltered: Help for Youth Workers, Volunteers, and Parents on Creating Authentic Relationships

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been involved with Youth Ministry for almost 10 years and i have read dozens of YM books. Without a doubt this book rises to the top (along with "Revisiting Relational YM" from which this book comes). In the rubble of YM programming books Root's offering is actually THEOLOGICAL in nature, not simply pragmatic or utilitarian. His claims that relational YM can be problematic and misguided might be off-putting at first to some but if you truly grasp what he is saying it will be a game changer for how you do ministry.

It is time for a more theologically rigorous youth ministry because pizza parties and Play Station won't change the world - or our students lives.

This book is outstanding. Root does a wonderful job of bringing the theoretical down to the practical. I used his book during our staff training at my camp (a Lutheran family camp) to illustrate what it means to really be there for someone. I love how he uses Bonhoeffer and Luther's theology of the cross. It really spells out why Christ's crucifixtion and resurrection are models for our relationships.

There is a misconception in the congregation and maybe even the youth ministry field centered around relational youth ministry. Root takes it on and does it in a readable concise way. Root centers the book around adult relationships with youth at the most influential time of their lives. It is OK to be human with the youth, in fact preferable to having an agenda for conversion to a way of thinking. Youth need and look for someone to be "real" with them. This includes pointing out an offending behavior in a honest but non demeaning way. In a field driven by numbers and programs, it is refreshing to see ministry and theology center and to the front. Ministry has never been about "club" atmosphere but about helping the "needy" person. Root challenges the professional youth person to get the ministry into the congregation, maintain their own integrity with family and friends, and keep God front and center.

Amazon sent the book fast. The topic is very good for anyone interested in relationships of any kind; whether it is a relationship with spouse, child or co-worker. Learning how to relate to different people is critical. I purchased the book for our leadership team at my church to read. We were privileged to hear the author, Dr. Andrew Root, at a seminar in Carefree, AZ. He is the most dynamic speaker I've ever heard, yet half my age.

This is a fantastic, easy to read, narrative book which makes it a great addition to the youth minister's library to give to others. I fully plan to use this as a small group study for my youth workers. It is a compelling and for the more scholarly types, read Revisting Relational Youth Ministry.

Andrew Root hits the nail on the head when he recommends that we stop meeting with youth with an agenda in mind and focus on the relationship. It is an excellent read!

This is a MUST read for anyone involved in the life of a tween, pre-teen, or teenager. I might go as far as saying it's a MUST read for anyone involved in the life of a church. Andrew Root does a remarkable job of defining the role of the youth worker - both paid and volunteer. Relational youth ministry is all about being present in the lives of kids - it's no different than having a relationship with anyone else. No special knowledge is required, just a willingness to be open to sharing life together.

I highly recommend this book to all people involved in congregational life.

Easy to read and comprehend book that introduces a new paradigm for looking at the motivations and work of work with youth.