Teaching Teenagers in a Post-Christian World - Softcover

Jake Kircher

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0991005066 ISBN 13: 9780991005062

Publisher: The Youth Cartel, 2014

Synopsis

Youth workers are in a tough spot these days. On the one hand, we're finding that teenagers who have little to no church background and Bible literacy tend to be hyper tolerant of all religious views except for Christianity. On the other hand, students who grew up in the church and have heard all of the right answers are still struggling to articulate their beliefs and live them out day to day.

When these two realities combine in youth ministry, they can make teaching teenagers about spiritual things an infuriating experience. It can feel like you're banging your head against a brick wall.

It's been said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. So maybe it s time we try something different when it comes to teaching theology to our students. That's the hopeful change that Teaching Teenagers in a Post-Christian World addresses.

As a follow-up to Brock Morgan's exceptional Youth Ministry in a Post-Christian World, this book will help you shift from being a content dispenser to a conversation cultivator. It's time we stop treating teenagers like consumers even when we really believe in what we're selling. Instead, let's create learning environments that lead to faith exploration and ownership.

About this title

About the Author:

Jake Kircher has been working in youth ministry for 13 years as a pastor, writer, and speaker. He is the coauthor of 99 Thoughts on Marriage and Ministry and currently serves as the youth pastor at Grace Community Church in New Canaan, Connecticut. He is married to Melissa, and they have two kids: Sean, 2, and Nora, 1.

Review:

As you read this book, you will hit bottom with Kircher and then begin to see youth ministry from a new perspective. It's a tough perspective. You can't just pour the essence of this book into your cup of ministry, add water, and stir. This is a call to leaders to give up all the superficialities, competitions, and idols of our present ministries and accept a radical relationship with Christ, with the intention of showing young people the difficult cost and high value of discipleship a radical relationship with Jesus. Only this way can young people escape the limitations and bondage of a post-modern, post-Christian age. It is a self-critical approach to ministry one in which we need to learn and determine our goals through self-reflection and out of deep relationships with youth, discovering with them what life is all about and how true, loving relationships grow. This book might be too searing and personal, a little too radical and honest for you though I hope not; because it's also disarmingly practical. --Dean Borgman - Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

How refreshing to get advice from someone who's right in the thick of the challenge of sharing faith with young people. Jake writes from the perspective of an experienced youth pastor who knows that the old methods of teaching teenagers are increasingly ineffective. The goal remains the same: for teenagers to develop a deep commitment to God that will last a lifetime. But standing up front at a youth meeting and telling teens what to believe isn't working. Instead, Jake gives us inspiration and practical guidance to teach teenagers who are immersed in modern culture and, of course, the digital world. This is a place where having the space to explore and ask questions is a critical element of the journey to truth, and Jake's advice will ring true to anyone wondering how to help young people find faith in a postmodern world. --Chris Curtis -  CEO, Youthscape

I loved this book and I highly recommend it. Jake Kircher understands today s culture and gives us wonderful insights on communicating with teenagers. This book is well researched and no doubt will give you many effective tools to speak to this generation. --Jim Burns - President, HomeWord

About this edition

• Publisher: The Youth Cartel
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0991005066
• ISBN 13: 9780991005062
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 112