Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture: Bridging Teen Worldviews and Christian Truth - Softcover

Mueller, Walt

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0830833374 ISBN 13: 9780830833375

Publisher: IVP, 2006

Synopsis

Before we can reach today's youth with the truth of the gospel, we need to see what they see and hear what they hear. We need to catch the messages encrypted in their culture and understand what's really being communicated. In Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture Walt Mueller, founder and president of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, helps us to navigate the troubling and confusing terrain of teen worldviews so that we can effectively and compassionately pass along good news: our God is their God, our Savior can be their Savior.

About this title

About the Author:

Walt Mueller is president of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding based in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. He holds a doctorate in ministry to postmodern generations from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Walt speaks regularly to churches, public school groups and at conventions such as Youth Specialties. His other books include Ministry to Families with Teenagers (Group) and Understanding Today's Youth Culture (Tyndale).

Review:

Mueller, a man whose finger is on the pulse of the postmodern generation and whose heart is deeply committed to the gospel. If you know young adults, Engaging is must reading; everyone who reads it will better understand what Christian faithfulness looks like in our pluralistic world. (critique, Year End 2007)

Mueller listens to faith and culture and interprets each to the other in a way that builds bridges, not walls. (Christianity Today, November 2007)

". . . An inspirational dialog . . . " (Outreach, March/April 2006)

"Add [this book] to your Poor Youth Worker's Bible College bookshelf; it's packed. . . . Coming from Mueller, a high standard." (YouthWorker Journal, March/April 2006)

"Not only is this a must-read for ambassador parents, it's an excellent resource for any over-forty servant of Jesus." (Mitali Perkins, author of Ambassador Families: Equipping Your Kids to Engage Popular Culture)

"We all agree that life is changing all around us, and changing fast. For those of us committed to introducing Jesus Christ to future generations, we have to stay on top of their thinking, their worldview and their very souls. To share the good news to a hurt and cynical community of students, we need to be trained in how to 'walk in their Athens,' and to connect with their stories. Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture is a valuable tool for just that--Walt Mueller not only encourages adults to be proactive in our care for the young, he equips us to come alongside of them with compassion. I recommend this book to all who seek to walk with kids in their Athens." (Chap Clark, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Youth, Family and Culture, Fuller Theological Seminary)

"Walt Mueller offers a valuable tool to help us understand youth and youth ministry in today's world. Walt writes the same way he talks to those of us who know him--plain-speakng, reasonable, humble, understanding and insightful. Reading this book is like having an engaging conversation with a wise friend. I highly recommend it to you." (Paul Fleischmann, President, National Network of Youth Ministries, and Chairman, WEA Global Youth Commission)

"Walt Mueller's years of experience from 'walking around' youth culture (see Acts 17:23), and his careful biblical observations, have made him one of the most respected voices in youth ministry today. With his stated intent of falling into neither trap of unrealistic optimism or unhopeful pessimism, Walt has given us a sobering, compassionate, informed and hopeful survey of adolescent culture that will be a real help for youth workers, parents, educators and anybody else who cares about teenagers. What I most appreciate about this book is not the thorough research--although it is supported by meticulous research. Nor is it the broad range of resources--although Walt's lively discussion invites comments from voices as diverse as Hans Rookmaaker (art critic), John Stott (theologian), Dave Matthews (rock musician), Christian Smith (sociologist) and the hundreds of teenagers whose hopes, haunts and hurts he has over the years carefully heard. No, what I most appreciate about this book is that this is not just a call to observe, to educate, to lament or to reimagine orthodox Christianity. It's a call to 'engage the soul' of youth culture with the historic gospel of Jesus Christ, and it's a call Walt Mueller fleshes out in full, thoughtful, vivid, articulate detail." (Duffy Robbins, Professor of Youth Ministry, Eastern University)

"I agree that the generation of emerging young people come with a unique worldview. We must understand their mindset in order to most effectively get into their world and lead them toward the kingdom. Walt has done a great job encouraging us to remember the power and opportunity that Christians have to engage a young generation in a spiritual journey. He challenges us to look back at biblical history in order to be courageous enough to move forward with the task of reaching a lost and hurting generation." (Doug Fields, Pastor to Students, Saddleback Church, and President, Simply Youth Ministry)

"Walt Mueller has emerged as a prominent voice, gracious yet powerful, concerning popular culture and its impact on adolescent thinking, behavior and worldviews. Walt takes seriously Paul's example of missional engagement in Athens in order to communicate a message that isn't easily dismissed as a blanket attack against culture. You may not agree with everything that Walt has to say, but it will make you think and help you navigate through the Mars Hill environments you find yourself in. In this book you will discover why so many of us working with young people look to Walt Mueller as a crucial resource for youth ministry." (Mike King, President, YouthFront)

About this edition

• Publisher: IVP
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0830833374
• ISBN 13: 9780830833375
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 240