The End of Youth Ministry?: Why Parents Don't Really Care about Youth Groups and What Youth Workers Should Do about It (Theology for the Life of the World)

Youth ministry, which is relatively young in terms of church ministry, has evolved over the last 50+ years, and according to the author may well be at its end, at least as youth ministry is currently practiced. Told as a parable this volume will challenge your thinking about traditional youth ministry and why it is not longer achieving the kind of results needed for our current world. Be ready to have your traditional thoughts about youth ministry challenged. Root is a gifted writer and researcher, so pay attention.

Too long, could have got to the point in a fewer chapters. Author reviews the years of ministry and its changes.

If you are wanting a book to walk you through all the "How to's" of youth ministry this is not it, but if you are wanting a youth ministry book that hits at the core issues we are encountering today and guidance and leading a youth ministry that truly makes a difference then check out this book. It is definitely in my top 5 youth ministry books I have ever read. Highly recommend!

Deep perspective and discussion. Super helpful that much was presented in story form. Came around at the end. Valuable read.

This book is a current relevant read in a fast paced changing culture. Student ministry needs to adjust and recognize what this book talks about and reflect on how it will impact the Church worldwide.

I am writing from a Reformed, Presbyterian point of view. If you are a youth worker looking to purchase this book and come from a similar perspective, this review is for you. I understand not everyone is approaching this book from my perspective. Here is my review.This book is marketed as a research oriented work. That is not accurate. I believe there was research done in the process of writing this book, but it is a piece of narrative told in a meandering fashion. There is little research demonstrated. Root spends much time underlining his repeated point which is that Youth Ministry is for joy and goodness. I did not primarily pick up this book to further define and refine my youth ministry purpose statement, although of course the book could have influenced this. Rather, I picked up this book to grapple with the question, "why do parents seem to not care about youth groups and what have others done to begin making inroads with parents?" The book does not answer this question. Instead it answers the question, "what is the point of youth ministry?" And Root's answer is unconvincing to me.Finally, I have theological concerns with this book. I don't have time to get into all of them here, but here are a few examples. First, the Bible is present, but he does not interact with it often and, when he does, it is mostly proof texting. Second, Root borderline divinizes the "Good." I have concerns with how he connects Jesus's incarnation to this sense of the "Good." This is best demonstrated by the final line of the book, "May it be, in and through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is the Goodness of God." Finally, this book relies upon pop culture and Charles Taylor more than Root's research with families in youth ministry or the Bible itself.Overall, I am frustrated I spent money on something that advertised itself in name as a book answering a specific question when it is actually a narratival piece that orbits around philosophical ideas without landing the plane. While there are good ideas and thoughts in it, I am of the opinion that there are better, clearer books out there on this topic.

Such a great and unique perspective on youth ministry. Rightly diagnosing the challenges youth ministry faces and providing helpful guidance on how to meet those challenges.

...as one experienced in modern youth ministry; i enjoyed the integration of practical insights coming out of theological processing deriving from biblical insights. Really appreciated the personal and in-the-trenches interviews