The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry - Softcover

Root, Andrew; Dean, Kenda Creasy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0830838252 ISBN 13: 9780830838257

Publisher: IVP, 2011

Synopsis

• 2012 Christianity Today Book Award of Merit winner

What haunts your youth group? So often we avoid talking about doubts and fears because we feel inadequately equipped to address them in any meaningful way. The crisis of existence can't be answered with pat Sunday school formulas or a few Bible verses, let alone another relay race. The questions our youth have are often the same ones that perplexed the great theologians, driving them to search for God in the places God didn't appear to be--places of brokenness, suffering and confusion. What if we let these questions drive our search for God too? Andrew Root and Kenda Creasy Dean invite you to envision youth ministries full of practical theologians, addressing the deep questions of life with a wonderfully adolescent mix of idealism, cynicism and prophetic intolerance for hypocrisy. Follow them into reflection on your own practice of theology, and learn how to share that theology through rich, compassionate conversation and purposeful experience.

About this title

About the Author:

Andrew Root is in the Baalson Olson Chair as associate professor of youth and family ministry at Luther Seminary (St. Paul, Minnesota). He is the author of several books, including Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry.

Review:

"This book has much to commend itself. It both offers fresh approaches to issues the church has thought about often, and addresses new areas about which the church has not thought enough. . . . Having read this book and absorbed the depth and vision the authors present, I find myself hopeful. . . . If youth ministry is the research and development department to the church, then this product is ready to launch for the sake of the world." (Philip L. Ruge-Jones, Word World, 33/3, Summer 2013)

"It is time to turn to theological substance and faith formation. This book talks about why this is true, and more important, it demonstrates how it may be done. The closing postscript on youth ministry as practical theology is worth the price of admission." (The Christian Century, October 17, 2012)

"Andrew Root and Kenda Creasy Dean invite you to envision youth ministries full of practical theologians, addressing the deep questions of life with a wonderfully adolescent mix of idealism, cynicism, and prophetic intolerance for hypocrisy." (Youth Discipleship Leadership, Summer 2012)

"Root and Dean invite readers to envision youth ministries full of practical theologians, addressing the deep questions of life with a wonderfully adolescent mix of idealism, cynicism, and prophetic intolerance for hypocrisy." (YouthWorker Journal, July/August 2011)

"The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry is a practical theology winner. Newcomers to practical theology will applaud its interplay of experience, reflection and action. Veterans to the field will give its masterful synergy of breadth and depth a standing ovation." (Kara Powell, executive director, Fuller Youth Institute, Fuller Theological Seminary)

"I am euphoric over Kenda Creasy Dean and Andrew Root's book, The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry. We have been perplexed by decades of accumulating and overwhelming data indicating that the Christian church in North America is failing to form disciples among adolescents who stay connected to their churches. Root and Dean skillfully illustrate the essential role practical theology plays as an imperative correction toward authentic Christian formation of young people. The authors describe and advocate for a theological turn that will not only prove to be a key factor in transforming the way we engage youth ministry but also result in widespread ecclesial change. Today's young adults are eager to engage in deep theological reflection that allows them to wrestle with the issues that can truly bring meaning to their lives. The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry is a seminal work that will stir up the prophetic imagination of youth workers." (Mike King, president of Youthfront and author of Presence-Centered Youth Ministry)

"An important step in the right direction. Who says teenagers can't understand the theological thrust of, say, Karl Barth? They can and they must." (Christian Smith, University of Notre Dame, author of Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers)

About this edition

• Publisher: IVP
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0830838252
• ISBN 13: 9780830838257
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352