Toward a Prophetic Youth Ministry: Theory and Praxis in Urban Context [Paperback]

Fernando Arzola Jr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 18, 2008

Youth ministries in an urban context are too often left to their own devices. The resources available to them are overwhelmingly conceived, tested and produced exclusively in the suburbs, and bring little to bear on the realities of urban youth culture. As a consequence, youth ministries in large cities have tended to settle onto one of three paths--a traditional paradigm that jealously guards the spiritual formation of its young people, a liberal paradigm that concentrates exclusively on personal growth, and an activist paradigm that galvanizes youth around the social concerns surrounding them. While each of these emphases is important, too often they are pursued to the neglect of the others, and the urban church suffers. Fernando Arzola Jr. proposes a fourth way, a prophetic paradigm that integrates the three and cultivates young people who are spiritually rooted, emotionally mature and responsive to the needs of their community. In this pace-setting book he draws on various disciplines--from biology to sociology, from psychology to theology--to guide urban youth workers into an effective and transformational ministry to youth.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An excellent analysis moving our attention away from the merely programmatic concerns of youth ministry to more foundational ones. Sound theology accompanies thoughtful illustration and evidence of thinking outside the box. Arzola's model descriptions and his thoughtful illustration of what a 'prophetic youth ministry' is, as a paradigm for engaging the rapid, multidimensional and multicultural growth in the urban context, challenges youth ministers and those concerned with youth in general to discern what is vital and essential in their youth ministry leadership in order to contribute meaningfully and constructively to the new communities being formed. While it is a book that is connected to those in urban areas, Arzola clearly articulates a future that will demand greater moral imagination and prophetic will if we are to respect the dignity of every young person that God allows us to impact. I found it to be a pragmatic assessment that actually is quite hopeful. A must-have book in every pastoral library." (Rev. Hiram Rios, pastor, Grace Fellowship Church, Florida, and Rev. Dr. Elizabeth D. Rios, copastor, Grace Fellowship Church, Florida, founder, Center for Emerging Female Leadership, and contributing editor, PRISM magazine )

"Finally someone is writing with a specific and critical eye toward what it means to do holistic youth ministry in urban contexts. Professor Arzola offers a keen and necessary analysis of various paradigms of urban youth ministry. This work is important for at least two reasons: (1) It fills a void. Not many scholars have written with both the city and its youth in focus. (2) It offers a view toward youth ministry that seeks to transform both persons and places. The call of God's prophets was to bring justice through rebuilding lives, restoring cities, caring for orphans, widows, aliens and the displaced. Arzola challenges us to think about what it means to do 'prophetic youth ministry' in the inner city. I highly recommend this book to all who care about being agents of justice in a world plagued with injustice." (Calenthia S. Dowdy, associate professor of youth ministry & culture, Eastern University )

"Fernando Arzola's Toward a Prophetic Youth Ministry is a fresh and provocative new voice in youth ministry---a much-needed urban voice in the critical youth ministry dialogue. Arzola's book promises to be a significant contribution to the literature of youth ministry, but more importantly, if its prophetic words are heeded it will bring about a holistic transformation of our youth." (Dr. Eldin Villafañe, Ph.D., professor of Christian social ethics, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary )

"At last, an ethnic evangelical voice from the city stands on his urban academic platform and calls youth ministry to rethink its mission in the city and beyond. Fernando Arzola's Toward a Prophetic Youth Ministry: Theory and Praxis in Urban Context stands in line with the many urban precedences that have shaped youth ministry as we know it today." (Dr. Mark H. Senter III, Ph.D., Chair of the Educational Ministries Department, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School )

"Arzola's is a strong voice from within the urban community, providing what only an insider can. He gives an honest tour of the strengths and weaknesses of urban life and its intersection with youth ministry. Arzola offers a resource that flips the script, contributing insight and an urban voice that may also be reinterpreted for suburban contexts. Finally, an urban youth ministry book that is suited for both academic courses and lay readers. It offers an excellent use of research, theory and substance from real-life insight." (Amy Elizabeth Jacober, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Practical Theology/Youth Ministry, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Waco, Texas )

"Fernando Arzola Jr.'s book, Toward a Prophetic Youth Ministry: Theory and Praxis in Urban Context, is brilliantly and broadly conceived. Holistic in the best sense of the word, informed by theology, theory and praxis, this book lays a solid foundation for effective urban ministry of any kind, but especially youth ministry. I recommend it to those considering working in urban youth ministry, as well as those currently working in this field." (John M. Perkins, president, The John M. Perkins Foundation )

"A comprehensive study full of insight for urban youth ministry drawn from many disciplines. Important, challenging, holistic and solidly biblical. Highly recommended!" (Dr. Ronald J. Sider, Ph.D., president, Evangelicals for Social Action, and professor of theology, holistic ministry & public policy, Palmer Theological Seminary, Eastern University )

"An urgent and creative contribution to the all-important field of youth ministry." (Rev. Virgilio Elizondo, founding member, Mexican American Cultural Center, and one of Time magazine's top 100 Innovators/Visionaries for the New Millennium )

"Rather than trashing folks who see and do ministry differently than he does, Fernando Arzola has discovered the strengths of a wide variety of urban youth ministries and integrated them in a way that will both affirm and challenge all of us who love city kids in the name of Jesus. Here is a book born not only of practical experience and research, but also of deep and careful reflection, which takes seriously both personal discipleship and social justice in the inner city. Pay attention to Fernando Arzola." (Bart Campolo, founder, Mission Year, and founder, The Laundromat Project )

"Fernando Arzola Jr.'s seminal work is essential reading for all those committed to transformative and prophetic youth ministry both within and outside of cities globally. This is a well-researched volume with wide-ranging theoretical and practical implications for those called to equip youth as prophets for the Christian church and wider society." (Dr. Robert W. Pazmiño, Ed.D., Valeria Stone Professor of Christian Education, Andover Newton Theological School and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School )

"Finally! Something new to the field of youth ministry. A must-read for anyone who wants to deal with young people in a comprehensive and holistic manner." (Rev. Raymond Rivera, D.D., founder and president, Latino Pastoral Action Center, Bronx, New York )

"Finally! A comprehensive analysis of current urban youth ministry models, with a clear presentation of developing a balanced approach for reaching young people in the city." (Dr. Tommy Carrington, D.Min., president, Urban Training Network, and adjunct professor, Trinity International University / Palm Beach Atlantic University )

"A timely, truly interdisciplinary study that tackles one of the most pressing issues of our times. When urban centers attract the largest segments of our population, and when our youth--urban or otherwise-- counts less with their parents' presence (taken away by an insatiable time-swallowing labor market, in order to make ends meet), or with public resources (sucked away by a frenzy of lowering taxes and privatization), the life-saving role of the churches is back at the center of social life. Arzola's book provides a compass for our churches to face the challenges posed by such a novel predicament of our urban youth--and he does it with both the contributions of his predecessors in mind and a diverse, multiethnic, changing youth and readership in the horizon." (Otto Maduro, Ph.D., professor of world Christianity, Drew University Theological School )

"Fernando Arzola Jr.'s book is brilliant, insightful and well-written. In the often mysterious world of urban youth culture, Arzola stands out as a thoughtful leader and as a truly prophetic voice. This book is a necessary read for all who practice youth ministry in metro areas across the nation." (Christopher B. Brooks, national coordinator, URBNET )

About the Author

Fernando Arzola Jr. (Ph.D., philosohpy) is chair/director of the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and assistant professor in the Deaprtment of Youth Ministry and Christian Education at Nyack College in New York City. He also serves on the board of the Association of Youth Ministry Educators (AYME), and is founder and executive director of the Urban Family Empowerment Center in the Bronx.

Product Details

• Paperback: 186 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (February 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830828028
• ISBN-13: 978-0830828029
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #802,693 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Ground Breaking, December 30, 2008

By 

Richard L. Williams (Paramount, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Toward a Prophetic Youth Ministry: Theory and Praxis in Urban Context (Paperback)

I'm a youth pastor working in Paramount, CA. That is the city next to Compton. I work with both church kids and community kids. I was excited for a book on Urban Youth Ministry theory and praxis. My excitement was a bit disappointed.

Arzola claims that most youth groups have an unhealthy bent toward one of the following paradigms: spiritual formation (traditional), personal growth (liberal), or social justice (activist). He contends that a healthy, "prophetic" youth ministry, contains a balance of all three. I agree; however, this just seems obvious - especially in an urban context where the need for spiritual formation, personal growth, and social justice are constantly shoving themselves in your face.

I was also bummed by the overuse of extended quotes (nearly one on every page in some chapters) and redundant charts and graphs.

All that to say, I imagine Arzola is very talented at working with and creating environments where urban students are blessed and flourish. I imagine he could come to Paramount and create a ministry that is at least twice as effective as I will ever be a part of. And that is just the problem. Youth Ministry, especially in an urban context, is very particular and specific. It is a very difficult task to say anything ground breaking to a wide audience of Urban Youth Workers. I applaud Arzola's attempt. I would have done a much worse job, so I won't.