Youth Builder: Today's Resource for Relational Youth Ministry [Hardcover]

Jim Burns (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1988

You may not be a dynamic speaker, know all the latest rock musicans, or even dress in the latest fashions, but if you love young people and desire to invest in their lives, your influence can be life-changing. This book can help.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 325 pages
• Publisher: Harvest House Pub (February 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0890815763
• ISBN-13: 978-0890815762
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,461,727 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jim Burns, PhD, founded the ministry HomeWord in 1985 with the goal of bringing help and hope to struggling families. As host of the radio broadcast HomeWord With Jim Burns, heard daily in over eight hundred communities, Jim's passion is to build God-honoring families through communicating practical truths that will enable adults and young people alike to live out their Christian faith.
In addition to the radio program, Jim speaks to thousands around the world each year through seminars and conferences. He is an award-winning author, whose books include The 10 Building Blocks for a Happy Family and Creating an Intimate Marriage.
Jim and his wife, Cathy, and their three daughters live in Southern California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource for Youth Ministry, May 24, 2005

By 

Galvin Sng "Galvs" (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Youth Builder: Reach Young People, Strengthen Families, and Change Lives Forever (Paperback)

Not too many books hold my attention the way "The Youth Builders" does, which I couldn't help but finish it in a matter of days. It is definitely a Youth Ministry "textbook" that can be referred to time and again! Not that all the points mentioned will work for all youth ministries, but many are basic starting points in which each ministry can start upon - definitely a must read for foundation building.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a must-read for all youth ministers, November 22, 2004

By 

Harumi Kawamura - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Youth Builder: Reach Young People, Strengthen Families, and Change Lives Forever (Paperback)

Jim Burns and Mike DeVries team together to write The Youth Builder, detailing the logistics and heart behind creating an effective and fulfilling youth ministry. One statement in particular touched my heart: "True ministry comes from the overflow of our passion and love relationship with Jesus, not from the overflow of our knowledge of youth ministry." With this philosophy on youth ministry running throughout the book, Burns and DeVries draw on their own experiences as well as knowledge of youth and programming to outline the various tasks that await successful youth ministers.

Dividing their book in four sections-foundation, framework, programming and personal relationships-Burns and DeVries reminds the youth worker of the import of a clear vision, and underlying this, the heart and attitude essential for a vibrant ministry. Still, they also acknowledge the need for good budgeting, preparation, attention to logistical details, a support staff and raising new leadership.

This book was an amazing read for me because it pinned all the essentials for a dynamic youth ministry. The sermon ideas were creative, the grounding of youth ministry in good organization was pragmatic and realistic and yet Burns and DeVries' emphasize the key need for passionate and genuine heart and spirit behind any ministry. While the reader learns essential tips to build a successful youth ministry, authenticity and genuine care and concern to bring youth to God is never forgotten and is constantly brought to the fore. It is no wonder the book is in its 4th printing. Though first written in 1973 the book is indeed timeless.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have reference for rookies and old pros., March 26, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Youth Builder: Today's Resource for Relational Youth Ministry (Hardcover)

This in an excellent refrence for rookies and old pros to have around. Jim Burns composed a classic that has advice that is transferable from generation to generation. It is a "Must Have" as far as I'm concerned. Pass this book around for your youth sponsors and parents to read, it will help them understand just what it is that you do as a Youth Pastor.