Pick of the Month
Models for Youth Ministry
STEVE GRIFFITHS SPCK | £12.99
I picked this book up with dread in my heart, expecting another book explaining the perfect model for youth ministry and how to copy it – the ‘If only we had a better model, it would all be OK, and everything would grow’ approach. However, Steve Griffiths knows that this doesn’t work. As he says on page eight, it is not a matter of a better model - ‘Surely there must be a better way’.
He calls for those of us in youth ministry to think again about our Christology (understanding of Christ) and to move on from the caricature of incarnational ministry that portrays Jesus as someone who hung out with people, to a fuller understanding of his ministry. From this fuller understanding of Christ’s ministry Steve says that we should be moved to a deeper understanding of the ministry we are called to. Time and again, Steve refers back to God calling us from a ‘chronos’ (meeting and programme driven) ministry to a ‘kairos’ (spiritual moment) ministry.
The book centres on the idea that our ministry should be marked in the same way as that of the life of Christ – by incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension and a deep eschatological understanding. Each of these areas are carefully deconstructed and reassembled showing the reader that a new understanding of these tough theological topics is not an optional extra, but vital for the spiritual health of us as ministers, and the ministry we are called to. There are no 14 point plans, and those who expect 101 different things to do with some shaving foam and a pack of Wotsits (other cheesy snacks are available) will be disappointed. There are, however some helpful questions at the end of each chapter to read and reflect on, not that these have easy answers!
This might be a youth ministry theology book, but it asks deep questions of both the reader and the wider Church, and like all good theology, it doesn’t just apply to one area, but could be read usefully by anyone involved in ministry – youth, children, adult, older peoples, refugees, whatever!
If we all were to read and understand our ministry and ourselves in the way imagined by Steve, both youth ministry and those who do it would be in a much better place. My one thought is this book may be great for the pragmatic ‘Generation X’, but the new ‘Generation Y’ youth ministers coming through might struggle with the reasoning and approach.
If you only buy one youth ministry theology book this year – make it this one. Why not start the new school year with some good theology?
David Welch is Guildford diocesan youth adviser and a volunteer youth worker in Surrey.
The Simple Truth Bible : The best minute of your day
Various Simply Youth Ministry | £6.56
The Simple Truth Bible is made up of 366 separate devotions to help young people connect with God through Bible reading and prayer on a daily basis. While the book is written by a number of contributors from the States (including high school students), the number of ‘Americanisms’ is minimal making it extremely accessible for a broad range of young people.
Each day is split into a Bible passage (typically one or two verses), a short explanation and challenge, and a helpful guide on how to pray through what you’ve read. It really could take just a minute a day! You can, however, spend a bit longer with the ‘little extra’ activity each day. These are often practical exercises that help apply what you’ve learnt.
Although the layout is clear and there is some effort made to help readers understand the story of scripture, it does suffer from not following any logical order. You get a wide range of scripture but this is not a book that can substitute for wider Bible reading. The ‘ simple truth’ is that this devotional is great for a wide exposure to the Bible and useful for young people just starting out in spending daily time with God.
Sam Buck is youth pastor at Emmanuel Church Northwood.
A little book of Tobacco
Vanessa Rogers Jessica Kingsley Publishers | £11.99
I was really excited when I started reading through Vanessa Rogers’ Little book of Tobacco. The author may have called this a ‘little book’, yet she is still is able to pack so many helpful and accessible activities for working with young people inside it. Her activities are well thought through, yet full of opportunity for discussions and flexibility.
This is a brilliant resource for targeted activities to do with young people. Her mind is able to bring us so many activities with such flexibility to suit all learning styles. I will definitely be using this book with my youth groups and I would highly recommend you do too. Vanessa has also written other little books, all targeting different issues relating to young people. If this book is anything to go by, they will all be vital tools for working with young people.
Laura Rodger is a Youth worker at YMCA Chelmsford.
Genuine: Becoming a Real Teenager
C. B. Martin 10Publishing | £5.99
Genuine is a – genuinely - good book! The book is written for young people aged 13 to 18 and explores the teenage years of six individuals from the Bible: Joseph, David, Daniel, Mary, Timothy and Jesus. Each character study explores a number of principles we see displayed in their life and helpfully applies them to the world we live in today.
I particularly love the fact that Genuine doesn’t give life the fluffy, candy floss edge that young people are too often mis-sold. Instead C.B. Martin tackles the cultural hurdles faced by young people of consumerism, commercialism and conformism head-on, and, like a good Rocky film, hits them hard.
Genuine is short and easy to read. The ‘Make it real’ sections at the end of each chapter offer opportunity for personal reflection. While a mature young person aged 16 to 18 may get lots from reading it on their own, I think this book lends itself more to use in a discipleship setting. This book has the potential to positively shape a young person’s life, but as a youth leader it would be best to read it yourself first. That way you will get the best out of this punchy little resource.
Steve Campion is the youth and children’s
MUSIC
Guvna B – Odd one out
Guvna music | £9.99
No one right now is making more popular music in the Christian rap scene than Guvna B. He has an infectious charm in his songs that forces you to smile and a positive message running throughout his latest album, Odd one out. However I feel like this album was spread thin. As a holistic project I want to hear rap music that I never want to skip a track but the amount of styles on this album makes it feel disjointed at points. He made Odd one out to cater to too many.
Alex Douglas is the Student & Youth Alpha media co-ordinator.
Passion – Let the future begin
Sixsteps Records | £10.99
The 2013 Passion live album was recorded at the January conference and features, not only their own worship team, including Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman, but the voices of 60,000 students from across the globe. A real highlight is that on the majority of the tracks the delegates can be heard, not just the worship leader. Some of the faster songs wouldn’t be practical for a local church or youth group but, overall, it’s a brilliant album to celebrate 25 years of Passion.
Katie Smith is a work experience student at Youthwork.
Hillsong - Glorious Ruins
HILL SONG | £10.99
Mega music-making machine Hillsong’s 22nd live album is exactly what we’ve come to know and expect from them: lively, upbeat, contemporary, well produced music. Particular highlights of the album for me are ‘Christ is enough’ and ‘Where the spirit of the Lord is’ – both of which I can see becoming popular anthems at festivals. My only slight gripe with Glorious Ruins is that there is repetition of lyrics and themes across the songs, but this could also be deliberate – tying the songs into one thematic unit. Overall a solid offering from Hillsong, and definitely worth a listen.
Phoebe Thom pson is the deputy editor of Youthwork.
Martin Smith - God’s Great Dance Floor Step 01
Gloworks / Integrity Music | £9.99
Martin Smith’s first full-length solo album shows the same talented songwriting and catchy production that were synonymous with Delirious? and Cutting Edge. The songs reflect significant parts of his life; ‘Catch Every Teardrop’ shares flashbacks to the car crash that nearly claimed his life back in 1995 but sparked the beginning of Delirious?. However, there’s comfort and rejoicing in this album too. ‘Safe in your arms’ is such a simple track with a powerful truth, while the initially reflective title track will have you dancing like there’s no tomorrow by the end. I can’t wait to see what Step 02 will bring.
Sean Skinner is a semi-professional musician and a volunteer worship & youth leader living in Surrey.
Planetshakers - Limitless
Integrity Music | £15.93
Australian ministry legends Planetshakers return with their latest album, Limitless. This is a great album, with a variety of both high-tempo and downbeat tracks. The album reminds me of songs produced by Hillsong, creating an amazing atmosphere when performed live. The album single, Limitless, is a very upbeat song, giving you an urge to get up and dance along!
Hannah Redfearn is a work experience student at Youthwork.
