Starting Right: Thinking Theologically About Youth Ministry

Starting Right: Thinking Theologically About Youth Ministry is the first academic textbook that introduces youth ministry students (whether undergraduate or graduate level) to a marriage of solid research, real life, and accessible design. Whereas most college-level texts may reflect a thorough (though impenetrable) mastery of the field, they tend to expect readers to plow through unnecessarily thick prose and bland design because 'it's good for them.' Youth Specialties doesn't agree. In this debut title to a continuing academic book line, college and seminary students will be introduced to real-life research, real-life youth ministry dilemmas, and real-life solutions. Contributing writers represent a spectrum of Christian Education thought and practice, as well as widespread recognition in their field...transdenominational, yet the perfect background to ministry in any denomination or ministry organization This text includes thorough indexes, design, and graphics that compel readers from page to page (now that's a first for a college text!); organization that permits professors to use any part of the text, in any order, rather than plod through the entire book from beginning to end; a perfect primary text that gives students a rich, academic, and readable (though not 'popular') grasp of every aspect of youth ministry a typical Intro course touches, while also serving as an ideal secondary text.

Kenda Creasy Dean (PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary) teaches at Princeton Theological Seminary, where she is assistant professor of youth, church, and culture, and director of the School of Christian Education.

Chap Clark, PhD (Univ. of Denver), has more than 25 years of experience in youth and family ministry. He is Associate Provost for Regional Campuses and Special Projects and Professor of Youth, Family, and Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary. Chap's extensive books, articles, and videos focus primarily on relationships. Among his many books are Hurt and Hurt 2.0; Disconnected: Parenting Teens in a MySpace World (coauthored with his wife, Dee); and Deep Justice in a Broken World. Chap and Dee live in Gig Harbor, Washington. SPANISH BIO: Chap Clark, PhD (Universidad de Denver), tiene mas de 25 anos de experiencia en el ministerio juvenil y de la familia. el es decano asociado de los campus universitarios regionales, Profesor y encargado de proyectos especiales en temas juveniles, de la familia y cultura en el Seminario Teologico Fuller. Chap es autor de un sinnumero de libros, articulos y videos enfocados en vinculos amistosos, familiares y amorosos. Entre sus libros se encuentran, Dolido y Dolido 2.0; Desconectado: Como criar hijos en un mundo de redes sociales como Myspace (escrito junto a su esposa, Dee); Justicia profunda en un mundo roto. Chap y Dee residen en Gig Harbor, Washington.

Dave Rahn is the vice president and chief ministry officer for Youth for Christ/USA and continues to direct the MA in youth ministry leadership (www.youthministryleadership.com) for Huntington University. A youth ministry researcher, author, and leadership strategist, Dave now guides a team whose focus is to coach, train, resource, and serve Youth for Christ men and women from all over the country who lead nearly 2,100 community-based relational outreach ministries among teenagers. He and his wife, Susie, are empty nesting and cheering on the youth ministry careers of both recently graduated children, Jason and Alison.