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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read Youth Ministry 3.0, February 26, 2009
It's not a long read, but it will get you thinking about where youth ministry is going (and needs to go) in the years ahead. In fact, if you are assessing your youth ministry (something all churches should do and redo every so often) then this one is a must for your whole committee as you take a look at what teenagers need, how they respond to culture and society (and the church), and how God is calling us to meet those needs.
In the book, Mark Oestreicher writes about the processes that youth ministry has gone through in general over the decades (youth ministry 1.0 and youth ministry 2.0 - though this isn't a simple "history of youth ministry" book). When Mark gets to youth ministry 3.0 he explains that we youth workers need to be less focused (in fact, not focused at all, almost) on programs (small groups and discipleship) and not even on "forcing" or "manipulating" relationships but, rather, on being "with" our kids (present) - each in his or her own world experience. This presence is more in a sense of communion - not so much as the sacrament (though how he describes it is very sacramental) but more so as community around God and with creation. He moves from this into a missional focus, which I really connected with and think youth can, too. The missional focus is a somewhat "praxis" or "practical" outlook on YM 3.0. In fact, if a sequel to this book were to be written, that's the direction I'd see it going as youth and adults who work with youth would allow God to take them together into mission.
If you're looking for a "how to" at the back of the book, you won't find it. How could you? That would be programming. But with YM3.0 Marko introduces us to a topic we all should be in conversation over - how to reach and "be with" youth today who have a hard time trusting and "being with" us.
My review doesn't do the book justice, and I encourage you to go online and check out a few reviews (many are on Marko's blog site: ysmarko.com)
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Raises the right kind of questions, June 28, 2009
The religious community is a significant source of character formation for young people. Because volunteers often oversee youth groups, I am always looking out for good resources to help them use their time wisely and effectively with teens. Youth Ministry 3.0 by Mark Oestreicher is one such book. Marko (as the author is better known) has an extensive background working with youth ministry internationally and is qualified to assess its current condition.
Adolescence is the period between the dependence of childhood and the independence of adulthood. Psychologists tell us that adolescents are trying to accomplish three tasks during this time: form their identity, develop autonomy (independence), and experience affinity (belonging). In Marko's estimation, Youth Ministry 1.0 (1940s - 1960s) emphasized identity formation through preaching and Youth Ministry 2.0 (1970s - 1990s) emphasized independence through programs. He sees belonging (where and to whom do I belong) as the critical thrust of working with young people today.
This emphasis of Youth Ministry 3.0 is about localization, spending time together, and mission. Localization simply means that a youth group should express its own characteristics based on its community and young people. It does not have to model itself on big successful programs around the country (or even down the street). Spending time together is not just about providing a program each week, but giving meaning and connection to youth's lives throughout the week. Mission gives the group something to rally around and gives direction to everyone. (It is interesting that this approach emphasizes belonging but provides much aid to young people in accomplishing the other two tasks of adolescence as well.)
Youth Ministry 3.0 is intriguing reading that raises a lot of possibilities. I think it is especially suited to group discussion with youth leaders, volunteers, and even students in leadership.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Right On, April 30, 2009
This book does a great job of defining the past and present of youth ministry, and I believe that it is right on for the future. It gives great insights, guidance and examples of the "next things" in youth ministry without prescibing a system to be followed.
Youth Ministry 3.0 moves away from consumer product driven ministry to a truely organic ministry that is as relevant as we allow it to be. Many of the themes could easily be translated for whole church ministry as well. If there are youth in your church or you would like there to be, read this book.
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