What haunts your youth group? So often we avoid talking about doubts and fears because we feel inadequately equipped to address them in any meaningful way. The crisis of existence can't be answered with pat Sunday school formulas or a few Bible verses, let alone another relay race. The questions our youth have are often the same ones that perplexed the great theologians, driving them to search for God in the places God didn't appear to be--places of brokenness, suffering and confusion. What if we let these questions drive our search for God too? Andrew Root and Kenda Creasy Dean invite you to envision youth ministries full of practical theologians, addressing the deep questions of life with a wonderfully adolescent mix of idealism, cynicism and prophetic intolerance for hypocrisy. Follow them into reflection on your own practice of theology, and learn how to share that theology through rich, compassionate conversation and purposeful experience.
The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry
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"The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry is a practical theology winner. Newcomers to practical theology will applaud its interplay of experience, reflection and action. Veterans to the field will give its masterful synergy of breadth and depth a standing ovation." (Kara Powell, executive director, Fuller Youth Institute, Fuller Theological Seminary)
"I am euphoric over Kenda Creasy Dean and Andrew Root's book, The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry. We have been perplexed by decades of accumulating and overwhelming data indicating that the Christian church in North America is failing to form disciples among adolescents who stay connected to their churches. Root and Dean skillfully illustrate the essential role practical theology plays as an imperative correction toward authentic Christian formation of young people. The authors describe and advocate for a theological turn that will not only prove to be a key factor in transforming the way we engage youth ministry but also result in widespread ecclesial change. Today's young adults are eager to engage in deep theological reflection that allows them to wrestle with the issues that can truly bring meaning to their lives. The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry is a seminal work that will stir up the prophetic imagination of youth workers." (Mike King, president of Youthfront and author of Presence-Centered Youth Ministry)
"An important step in the right direction. Who says teenagers can't understand the theological thrust of, say, Karl Barth? They can and they must." (Christian Smith, University of Notre Dame, author of Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers)
"I am euphoric over Kenda Creasy Dean and Andrew Root's book, The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry. We have been perplexed by decades of accumulating and overwhelming data indicating that the Christian church in North America is failing to form disciples among adolescents who stay connected to their churches. Root and Dean skillfully illustrate the essential role practical theology plays as an imperative correction toward authentic Christian formation of young people. The authors describe and advocate for a theological turn that will not only prove to be a key factor in transforming the way we engage youth ministry but also result in widespread ecclesial change. Today's young adults are eager to engage in deep theological reflection that allows them to wrestle with the issues that can truly bring meaning to their lives. The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry is a seminal work that will stir up the prophetic imagination of youth workers." (Mike King, president of Youthfront and author of Presence-Centered Youth Ministry)
"An important step in the right direction. Who says teenagers can't understand the theological thrust of, say, Karl Barth? They can and they must." (Christian Smith, University of Notre Dame, author of Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers)
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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By ben kerns
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Get Out Your Dictionary:
Over the last ten years youth ministry has been gaining in street credibility among those in professional ministry. There is finally a critical mass of people who see youth ministry as a legitimate ministry calling, deserving of a proper education, salary, and in some cases even a pension.
Seminaries like Fuller have had a long tradition of elevating student ministry and seeking to educate those people who have chosen to pour their lives into adolescents. Their youth ministry blog is one of my favorite, thoughtful resources.
Because of the hard work by many before us, we are now in a time of legitimate writing and education for those of us in youth ministry. Andrew Root and Kenda Creasy Dean are on the forefront of this theological discussion around the context and practice of youth ministry. And this is exactly the topic they address in their recent book, The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry.
This book is not for the faint at heart or the casual reader. Root and Dean have put together a seminary-level textbook on practical theology, and approaching it as anything less would leave the reader in the dust. So if you are ready to go swimming in the deep end, pour yourself some coffee, find a nice quiet place that inspires learning, (like a library), and jump in!
Worth The Read:
The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry is the best deal on the internet. If you were to take this class at Princeton Seminary it would cost well over $1000, yet this book can be yours on amazon.com for $11.02. Seriously, that is the cheapest street cred ever for your library. But more than just a great deal, it is a thick book, deserving a thoughtful reading; it's compelling, challenging, and sometimes even frustrating.
Root and Dean did not back off one bit from their theological lexicon of $10,000 words. I had to dust off some books from my seminary days and bookmark wikipedia just too keep my head above water. While the terminology in this book could be a turn-off for many practitioners of youth ministry, wrestling with this subject and this format is important for us to do.
Many youth workers want all the upside of the rising professionalism associated with youth ministry. But this professionalism isn't just bestowed on people, it's earned when youth workers behave like professionals, and take their education and theological training seriously. Wrestling through this book is the sort of work that educates us, expands our worldview, deepens our theology, and equips us to do our jobs with more purpose.
Many youth workers have an amazing gift of intuition. In their guts they "know" students and understand their felt needs. Their passion for Jesus and their ability to connect allows them to go quite far. But for the long haul, youth workers must have a theological worldview and understanding that informs their decisions, their choices, their conversations, and their programs.
This book gives the theological underpinnings for what many of us do in youth ministry intuitively. By giving it theological language we now enter into a conversation that is deep and enriching. Even while struggling with the vocabulary, I was encouraged by the larger story of the gospel and the vital place student ministry has within it.
It is such a gift to have theological language to address many of the felt needs in student ministry. Dean's chapter on identity, and the fear adolescents have of disappearing, provides a completely new window into the lives of my students, along with tools to address that fear through a broader picture of the Gospel. Dean also writes a chapter on the theological significance of summer camps that is one of the best, most useful and instructive chapters of the entire book.
Root and Dean set out to place student ministry firmly in the stream of practical theology, and they accomplish this goal. Student ministry is the very definition of practical theology, and if we are going to do our jobs better then we must understand how theology shapes our ministry.
We Are Already Impressed:
While I enjoyed reading this book and was challenged intellectually and spiritually, I realized that most of my positive response to this book was because I wanted to be able to respond positively. Root and Dean are two of the leading theological voices in student ministry and are single-handedly elevating the conversation. It is because of their work that student ministry is gaining credibility in seminary circles and elevating the calling of those who work with students. I wanted to be on this side of the discussion.
But as I have reflected on the book over the weekend, there were a couple of issues that kept coming to the surface for me.
One is that there were too many big words. I know I have self-deprectated my way through most of my life and most of this blog, but the truth is that I am not dumb, and this book made me feel like I am. I understand many of the issues and topics that are being raised, but the language used is over the top. I know that the vocabulary terms in this book are staples in the seminary community, but they have zero touch points in the world of practical ministry.
I understand the need to elevate the conversation and to educate youth ministry leaders, but it felt a little like youth workers are either chubby bunny experts who thrive on the four spiritual laws, or those ready for some meaty discussion. But the truth is, no one uses the terminology used in this book. Not senior pastors, not adults in church, not those ready for meaty discussions-nobody.
Every chapter is chock-full of deep, deep theology and philosophy. It's too bad, but much of what's discussed will be left on the page, because there is little to no attempt at placing these ideas in a real ministry context. It would have been helpful to include a bridging section to each chapter to give these theological concepts a home in the real world.
Most people who are in vocational, pastoral ministry are people all about practical theology. It is what we do naturally. Those of us who are practical theologians need the help of academic theologians to sharpen us as we strive to do the thing God's called us to do in our unique context. Root and Dean try really hard to lift up the practical side of theology, but there seems to be a patronizing undercurrent for the actual practice of youth ministry. I hope as they continue to grow in respect and influence-and rightfully so-they won't stay so cloistered in the seminary world as to lose the ability to communicate effectively with, and understand the work of those of us in the practical theological world. We need their respect, their voice and support.
Youth workers are some of the most spiritually and intellectually deep people I know. We love that there are theologically strenuous books to challenge us. Root and Dean are two of the most respected thinkers and writers out there, and I m thankful for this book and for the ways it pushed me to think better. I look forward to more of my friends reading this book and for the conversations that will surely follow.
Don't be a cheapskate. Buy the book, and let's wrestle together.
review posted on averageyouthministry.com
Over the last ten years youth ministry has been gaining in street credibility among those in professional ministry. There is finally a critical mass of people who see youth ministry as a legitimate ministry calling, deserving of a proper education, salary, and in some cases even a pension.
Seminaries like Fuller have had a long tradition of elevating student ministry and seeking to educate those people who have chosen to pour their lives into adolescents. Their youth ministry blog is one of my favorite, thoughtful resources.
Because of the hard work by many before us, we are now in a time of legitimate writing and education for those of us in youth ministry. Andrew Root and Kenda Creasy Dean are on the forefront of this theological discussion around the context and practice of youth ministry. And this is exactly the topic they address in their recent book, The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry.
This book is not for the faint at heart or the casual reader. Root and Dean have put together a seminary-level textbook on practical theology, and approaching it as anything less would leave the reader in the dust. So if you are ready to go swimming in the deep end, pour yourself some coffee, find a nice quiet place that inspires learning, (like a library), and jump in!
Worth The Read:
The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry is the best deal on the internet. If you were to take this class at Princeton Seminary it would cost well over $1000, yet this book can be yours on amazon.com for $11.02. Seriously, that is the cheapest street cred ever for your library. But more than just a great deal, it is a thick book, deserving a thoughtful reading; it's compelling, challenging, and sometimes even frustrating.
Root and Dean did not back off one bit from their theological lexicon of $10,000 words. I had to dust off some books from my seminary days and bookmark wikipedia just too keep my head above water. While the terminology in this book could be a turn-off for many practitioners of youth ministry, wrestling with this subject and this format is important for us to do.
Many youth workers want all the upside of the rising professionalism associated with youth ministry. But this professionalism isn't just bestowed on people, it's earned when youth workers behave like professionals, and take their education and theological training seriously. Wrestling through this book is the sort of work that educates us, expands our worldview, deepens our theology, and equips us to do our jobs with more purpose.
Many youth workers have an amazing gift of intuition. In their guts they "know" students and understand their felt needs. Their passion for Jesus and their ability to connect allows them to go quite far. But for the long haul, youth workers must have a theological worldview and understanding that informs their decisions, their choices, their conversations, and their programs.
This book gives the theological underpinnings for what many of us do in youth ministry intuitively. By giving it theological language we now enter into a conversation that is deep and enriching. Even while struggling with the vocabulary, I was encouraged by the larger story of the gospel and the vital place student ministry has within it.
It is such a gift to have theological language to address many of the felt needs in student ministry. Dean's chapter on identity, and the fear adolescents have of disappearing, provides a completely new window into the lives of my students, along with tools to address that fear through a broader picture of the Gospel. Dean also writes a chapter on the theological significance of summer camps that is one of the best, most useful and instructive chapters of the entire book.
Root and Dean set out to place student ministry firmly in the stream of practical theology, and they accomplish this goal. Student ministry is the very definition of practical theology, and if we are going to do our jobs better then we must understand how theology shapes our ministry.
We Are Already Impressed:
While I enjoyed reading this book and was challenged intellectually and spiritually, I realized that most of my positive response to this book was because I wanted to be able to respond positively. Root and Dean are two of the leading theological voices in student ministry and are single-handedly elevating the conversation. It is because of their work that student ministry is gaining credibility in seminary circles and elevating the calling of those who work with students. I wanted to be on this side of the discussion.
But as I have reflected on the book over the weekend, there were a couple of issues that kept coming to the surface for me.
One is that there were too many big words. I know I have self-deprectated my way through most of my life and most of this blog, but the truth is that I am not dumb, and this book made me feel like I am. I understand many of the issues and topics that are being raised, but the language used is over the top. I know that the vocabulary terms in this book are staples in the seminary community, but they have zero touch points in the world of practical ministry.
I understand the need to elevate the conversation and to educate youth ministry leaders, but it felt a little like youth workers are either chubby bunny experts who thrive on the four spiritual laws, or those ready for some meaty discussion. But the truth is, no one uses the terminology used in this book. Not senior pastors, not adults in church, not those ready for meaty discussions-nobody.
Every chapter is chock-full of deep, deep theology and philosophy. It's too bad, but much of what's discussed will be left on the page, because there is little to no attempt at placing these ideas in a real ministry context. It would have been helpful to include a bridging section to each chapter to give these theological concepts a home in the real world.
Most people who are in vocational, pastoral ministry are people all about practical theology. It is what we do naturally. Those of us who are practical theologians need the help of academic theologians to sharpen us as we strive to do the thing God's called us to do in our unique context. Root and Dean try really hard to lift up the practical side of theology, but there seems to be a patronizing undercurrent for the actual practice of youth ministry. I hope as they continue to grow in respect and influence-and rightfully so-they won't stay so cloistered in the seminary world as to lose the ability to communicate effectively with, and understand the work of those of us in the practical theological world. We need their respect, their voice and support.
Youth workers are some of the most spiritually and intellectually deep people I know. We love that there are theologically strenuous books to challenge us. Root and Dean are two of the most respected thinkers and writers out there, and I m thankful for this book and for the ways it pushed me to think better. I look forward to more of my friends reading this book and for the conversations that will surely follow.
Don't be a cheapskate. Buy the book, and let's wrestle together.
review posted on averageyouthministry.com
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I would highly recommend Andrew Root and Kenda Creasy Dean's "The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry." I was fortunate enough to be provided a copy in a special pre-release directly from the publisher for review purposes. You can purchase a paperback copy for under $11 at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Theological-Turn-Youth-Ministry/dp/0830838252/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318738188&sr=8-1) or directly from the publisher at [...]
My favorite chapter was the fourteenth and was titled "Proclaiming Salvation." In it, the author describes the story of Paul and Silas' interaction with the slave girl as it relates to salvation and the formation of self.
The Bible reads, "As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, 'These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.' And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, 'I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.' And it came out that very hour" (Acts 16:16-18, ESV).
The authors write, "A detail worth noting: it is the girl, not Paul or Silas, who proclaims that salvation is afoot. The presence of Jesus' salvation unhinges her sanctioned exploitation, frees her identity from her earning potential and sets in motion a series of chain-shattering events" (67).
They then go on to explain the eventual conversion of the jailer as well. They suggest, "Deliverance always ushers in new life (we say "deliver" babies for a reason). The jailer becomes beholden to Jesus Christ instead of to the magistrates. He can no longer view himself, or anyone in his household, apart from the salvific work of God. Adolescents, of course, seldom articulate the human desire for salvation as pointedly as the jailer: 'What must I do to be saved?'" (67).
They propose, "Youth and adult balance one another in the story; the jailer needs the slave gir's bold proclamation of possibility, while the slave girl needs the jailer's ability to ask for salvation by name - specifically, Jesus' name" (68).
Official Book Description: What haunts your youth group? So often we avoid talking about doubts and fears because we feel inadequately equipped to address them in any meaningful way. The crisis of existence can't be answered with pat Sunday school formulas or a few Bible verses, let alone another relay race.
The questions our youth have are often the same ones that perplexed the great theologians, driving them to search for God in the places God didn't appear to be--places of brokenness, suffering and confusion. What if we let these questions drive our search for God too?
Andrew Root and Kenda Creasy Dean invite you to envision youth ministries full of practical theologians, addressing the deep questions of life with a wonderfully adolescent mix of idealism, cynicism and prophetic intolerance for hypocrisy. Follow them into reflection on your own practice of theology, and learn how to share that theology through rich, compassionate conversation and purposeful experience.
Official Author Biography: Andrew Root (Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary) is in the Baalson Olson Chair as associate professor of youth and family ministry at Luther Seminary (St. Paul, MN). A former Young Life staffworker, he has served in churches and social service agencies as a youth outreach associate and a gang prevention counselor.
Kenda Creasy Dean is an ordained elder in the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference (United Methodist) and professor of youth, church and culture at Princeton Theological Seminary, where she works closely with the Institute for Youth Ministry. She is the author of several books, including Practicing Passion, The God-Bearing Life and Almost Christian.
My favorite chapter was the fourteenth and was titled "Proclaiming Salvation." In it, the author describes the story of Paul and Silas' interaction with the slave girl as it relates to salvation and the formation of self.
The Bible reads, "As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, 'These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.' And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, 'I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.' And it came out that very hour" (Acts 16:16-18, ESV).
The authors write, "A detail worth noting: it is the girl, not Paul or Silas, who proclaims that salvation is afoot. The presence of Jesus' salvation unhinges her sanctioned exploitation, frees her identity from her earning potential and sets in motion a series of chain-shattering events" (67).
They then go on to explain the eventual conversion of the jailer as well. They suggest, "Deliverance always ushers in new life (we say "deliver" babies for a reason). The jailer becomes beholden to Jesus Christ instead of to the magistrates. He can no longer view himself, or anyone in his household, apart from the salvific work of God. Adolescents, of course, seldom articulate the human desire for salvation as pointedly as the jailer: 'What must I do to be saved?'" (67).
They propose, "Youth and adult balance one another in the story; the jailer needs the slave gir's bold proclamation of possibility, while the slave girl needs the jailer's ability to ask for salvation by name - specifically, Jesus' name" (68).
Official Book Description: What haunts your youth group? So often we avoid talking about doubts and fears because we feel inadequately equipped to address them in any meaningful way. The crisis of existence can't be answered with pat Sunday school formulas or a few Bible verses, let alone another relay race.
The questions our youth have are often the same ones that perplexed the great theologians, driving them to search for God in the places God didn't appear to be--places of brokenness, suffering and confusion. What if we let these questions drive our search for God too?
Andrew Root and Kenda Creasy Dean invite you to envision youth ministries full of practical theologians, addressing the deep questions of life with a wonderfully adolescent mix of idealism, cynicism and prophetic intolerance for hypocrisy. Follow them into reflection on your own practice of theology, and learn how to share that theology through rich, compassionate conversation and purposeful experience.
Official Author Biography: Andrew Root (Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary) is in the Baalson Olson Chair as associate professor of youth and family ministry at Luther Seminary (St. Paul, MN). A former Young Life staffworker, he has served in churches and social service agencies as a youth outreach associate and a gang prevention counselor.
Kenda Creasy Dean is an ordained elder in the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference (United Methodist) and professor of youth, church and culture at Princeton Theological Seminary, where she works closely with the Institute for Youth Ministry. She is the author of several books, including Practicing Passion, The God-Bearing Life and Almost Christian.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Fantastic book on how youth ministry is not simply pragmatic, but is at it's core practical theology. Root and Dean spend the first half of the book explaining what youth ministry has to do with theology, and how theology is essential for youth ministry.
I found particularly helpful the second part where youth ministry practices and topics are interpreted and evaluated through a theological lens. The authors address how we speak to teens about Jesus and sin, as well deepen our theological understanding of events such as summer camp, missions trips, wilderness adventures, and confirmation.
Anyone interested in how to take teens deeper into God's Word should read this book!
I found particularly helpful the second part where youth ministry practices and topics are interpreted and evaluated through a theological lens. The authors address how we speak to teens about Jesus and sin, as well deepen our theological understanding of events such as summer camp, missions trips, wilderness adventures, and confirmation.
Anyone interested in how to take teens deeper into God's Word should read this book!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Root and Fruit
All huge generalizations have some truth in them. What Andrew describes as a turn may be seen as nothing more than a pendulum swing away from practice back towards theory. Read more
Published 5 days ago by R. R. Gilbert
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book is almost perfect.
It's exactly what Youth Ministers, Directors, and Parents need to read. I recommend this book to anyone who works in the church and wants to help their students understand theology... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Josh
5.0 out of 5 stars
Theologically Rich & Practical Too
Here's a simple challenge. This coming Sunday carefully and cautiously approach the youth pastor in your church and ask, "What is your theology of ministry? Read more
Published 3 months ago by Sam Baker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book
I am a big fan of Andrew Root. This book with Kenda Dean was no exception. The two really hit on some key aspects of effective youth ministries. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Michaela Siau
5.0 out of 5 stars
amazing read
Book discusses past trends in youth ministry and discusses a new approach that does not involve watering down material for youth.
Published 20 months ago by Lauren N. Gam
