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Resource: Lifegivers: A
Practical Guide for Reaching Youth in a Challenging World
M. Steven Games, Editor
Abingdon Press, 1996
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What is the purpose of this resource?
This is a notebook of resources and tools designed to promote “new ways of defining, evaluating, and improving our ministries with youth in our communities”. - How does this resource define youth ministry?
What are the key elements of youth ministry in this resource?
Youth ministry is everything the church does to help young people grow up as disciples of Christ. The effectiveness of a church’s youth ministry involves, family, the concern and interest of a whole congregation, particular structures, group identity, partnership with young people, providing experiences in loving God and learning about the Bible as well as living the faith, and mission. - How are youth defined? (age group)
6th-12 grades. However, this resource is keenly aware that the “youth” being talked about should not necessarily be just the youth in your church. Youth ministry means being very aware of the youth outside your church walls as well as those in them. - What understanding of young people is present in
this resource?
There is a basic premise that young people are not growing up in the same world in which their parents did and that the “tried and true” methods of youth ministry just won’t work anymore. Although the material certainly suggests some ideas of youth reality (such as youth feeling like they have no control over their lives, or the influence of media on youth today), it strongly suggests that the best understanding of youth you can have is by listening to your own young people. - Do you see any particular theological perspective
or agenda within this material? If so, what is it?
This resource includes material from a variety of contributors and does not promote a particular theological understanding other than experiencing the life of Christ as being crucial in the life of young people as well as adults. - How could this resource be used and by whom?
This resource would be most effective for adults who work with young people. A Christian education committee, or youth leaders could get some valuable resources here. - What is included when you purchase this resource?
What is the cost of this resource?
This loose-leaf binder costs $15 and is divided into six sections focusing on such things as youth realities, cooperating with community partners, developing new youth ministries, tools needed for youth minister, and faith development. Each chapter has articles pertaining to the main idea, lots of questions for reflection (with readings to go along with those questions), suggestions for ways to begin improvement in certain areas of youth ministry in your church, and a suggested meeting agenda to look at the main issue in that chapter. - What is your overall evaluation of the resource?
(strengths and weakness, etc.)
This resource has a wealth of material in it. The articles included are solid, the questions/suggestions for improvement are very stimulating, and I think it could be a very helpful resource for people who are seriously interested in looking at all the facets of ministering to and with youth today. This isn’t a resource for people who want in-depth information (most articles are 1-2 pages long) about youth today or a book they can pick up that will tell them what to do. And although the tabbed dividers help you find your way in the notebook, I found the organization of the material to be somewhat confusing. This is a notebook you’ll have to spend some time with in order to make it helpful. However, given those ‘weaknesses’, I will say that I think this resource could be very helpful in a church that is willing to take the time to seriously look at the way it “does” youth ministry. Working through this material would be a significant time commitment for a committee, but could provide some very helpful direction.