Ministry Resources Archives - Ministry Architects

Sustainability Bundle

Sean Williams — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 16:41:10 +0000

Sustainable Youth Ministry: Why Most Youth Ministry Doesn’t Last and What Your Church Can Do About It by Mark DeVries
Your church looking for a youth pastor? Again. What is going wrong? What would it take to build a ministry that withstands the roller coaster ride that has become so much a part of “normal” youth ministry? Based on his own experience as a youth pastor and his hands-on consulting work with scores of churches, Mark DeVries pinpoints the problems that cause division and burnout. He then provides the practical tools and strategies needed to lay a strong foundation for your church’s youth ministry-one that isn’t built solely on a person or a program.

Sustainable Children’s Ministry by Mark DeVries and Annette Safstrom
Are you a children’s ministry leader on the edge of burnout? Do you find yourself working harder and harder to tame the chaos? Mark DeVries and Annette Safstrom know how you feel. Flash and fizz can be effective at attracting young families, but without sustainable systems beneath the unforgettable moments, the impact is almost always short-lived. In this practical resource, you’ll learn how to recruit volunteers, partner with parents, navigate politics, and care for your own soul instead of frantically scrambling to do it all yourself. Sustainable Children’s Ministry will help you build a ministry foundation that will still be standing long after you are gone.

Sustainable Young Adult Ministry by Mark DeVries and Scott Pontier
Young adult ministry scares us. Young adults seem like the elusive Holy Grail demographic in Christian ministry. We often treat them like another species, with an inscrutable culture all their own. To have a thriving ministry to young adults, we’re told, we’ll need to be up-to-date on all the latest trends. We’ll need to change up our worship style. We’ll need to make programs. But what if young adult ministry isn’t actually as enigmatic as we’ve been led to believe? What if it actually looks an awful lot like . . . faithful Christian ministry? Scott Pontier and Mark DeVries know firsthand the challenges of young adult ministry. In Sustainable Young Adult Ministry, they explore six common mistakes churches make in their efforts to reach this demographic―mistakes they themselves have made―and offer six paradoxes that upend our presuppositions and return us to a simpler, more biblical ministry model. Full of practical advice and complete with a wealth of additional resources, this book offers a fresh perspective on young adult ministry that is grounded in long ministry experience and in the timeless gospel of Jesus.

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Sustainable Young Adult Ministry

Sean Williams — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 21:33:16 +0000

Young adult ministry scares us. Young adults seem like the elusive Holy Grail demographic in Christian ministry. We often treat them like another species, with an inscrutable culture all their own. To have a thriving ministry to young adults, we’re told, we’ll need to be up-to-date on all the latest trends. We’ll need to change up our worship style. We’ll need to make programs. But what if young adult ministry isn’t actually as enigmatic as we’ve been led to believe? What if it actually looks an awful lot like . . . faithful Christian ministry? Scott Pontier and Mark DeVries know firsthand the challenges of young adult ministry. In Sustainable Young Adult Ministry, they explore six common mistakes churches make in their efforts to reach this demographic―mistakes they themselves have made―and offer six paradoxes that upend our presuppositions and return us to a simpler, more biblical ministry model. Full of practical advice and complete with a wealth of additional resources, this book offers a fresh perspective on young adult ministry that is grounded in long ministry experience and in the timeless gospel of Jesus.

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First-Century Youth Ministry: Exploring Our Jewish Roots to Reclaim Discipleship

Ministry Architects — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 18:17:24 +0000

We all want thriving youth ministries, vibrant communities of teenagers, and adult leaders who are all growing as disciples of Jesus. Too often, though, it feels like things just aren’t…quite…working. While there are lots of potential solutions to the “problems” of youth ministry, Heather Quiroz suggests looking back—way back—for answers: at first-century Jewish faith, life, and culture.

With vulnerability and humor, Quiroz combines stories from her years as an in-the-trenches youth worker with extensive study to help readers understand how building upon the wisdom and practices of the past can help shape our ministries today. Peppered throughout are simple, practical tips on everything from starting an intergenerational mentorship ministry, to helping teenagers meaningfully engage with Scripture, to encouraging teens and families to build restful Sabbath rhythms into their lives.

Written for youth workers, parents, pastors, and anyone who cares about guiding young people as they grow into disciples of Jesus Christ, First-Century Youth Ministry will encourage and challenge readers, making it clear how nourishing the roots of our faith will bring our youth ministries to life.

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Sustainable Children’s Ministry

Ministry Architects — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 20:55:19 +0000

Are you a children’s ministry leader on the edge of burnout? Do you find yourself working harder and harder to tame the chaos? Mark DeVries and Annette Safstrom know how you feel. Flash and fizz can be effective at attracting young families, but without sustainable systems beneath the unforgettable moments, the impact is almost always short-lived. In this practical resource, you’ll learn how to recruit volunteers, partner with parents, navigate politics, and care for your own soul instead of frantically scrambling to do it all yourself. Sustainable Children’s Ministry will help you build a ministry foundation that will still be standing long after you are gone.

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The Godbearing Life

Ministry Architects — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 20:55:18 +0000

The authors offer a lively spiritual primer and practical guide for those who pastor young people. Dean and Foster rechart a course for youth ministry through the classical spiritual disciplines of the church. The book identifies families, congregations, and mentor relationships as the “holy ground” where young people are most likely to say “Yes!” to God.

Author: Kenda Creasy Dean and Ron Foster

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Letters to a Youth Worker

Ministry Architects — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 20:55:18 +0000

Letters to a Youth Worker allows you to have some of the best youth ministers in the country ride shotgun on your journey. This collection includes letters from Walt Mueller, Kara Powell, Andy Root, and many others who provide wisdom and insight into effective youth ministry. Contributors based their letters on one or more of the 44 assets identified in the Exemplary Youth Ministry Study. Youth Ministry Wisdom for YOU “You need to be clear on the purpose of youth ministry; you need to be able to finish this sentence: Youth ministry is for …” – Andy Root What we want you to know is that Jesus has been there for us, every step of the way. You need to know that, but even more than that, you need to practice that, and a lot of us don’t.” – Duffy Robbins “I am having an affair. My mistress was my youth ministry.” – Jim Burns “Wouldn’t it be great to find the youth ministry ‘silver bullet’?” – Kara Powell “Your talent and personality will only connect with so many in your group. The sooner we realize this limitation, the sooner we’ll get passionate about finding a diverse group of leaders who can share in the ministry.” – Mark Matlock “Exemplary youth ministry is not about what you do. It’s about who you are.” – Walt Muller

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Starting Right Special

Ministry Architects — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 20:55:17 +0000

The Indispensable Youth Pastor $15.99

by Mark DeVries and Jeff Dunn-Rankin

This book provides tools that will help you stay in the game of youth ministry for as long as God has called you and insights that can literally transform the way you approach your next (or current) role.

Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry $10

by Doug Fields

The sequel to the first bestseller, Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry

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Family-Based 3-Book Bundle

Ministry Architects — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 20:55:17 +0000

Save $10.00 when you buy them all together.

Get all three of Mark DeVries’ youth ministry books for one low, discount price! Sustainable Youth Ministry, Family-Based Youth Ministry, and Bridges: Family-Based Youth Ministry Curriculum.

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Family-Based 2-Book Bundle

Ministry Architects — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 20:55:17 +0000

Youth ministry has got to be about more than catchy slogans and energetic youth directors. Family-Based Youth Ministry (FBYM) is about accessing the God-designed structures of the nuclear family and the extended family of the church to help young people grow toward mature Christian adulthood. FBYM helps churches move strategically toward implementing a thriving model for youth ministry. Today, FBYM is one of the most successful models for youth ministry in America.

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Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry

Ministry Architects — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 20:55:16 +0000

This book addresses 12 valuable steps that will help readers take the first steps as they begin their ministry. An invaluable resource for anyone in youth ministry and ideal for first-timers, veterans, or college students in youth ministry. Since forever altering the course of the youth ministry world with his best-selling, groundbreaking book, Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry, Doug Fields’ mind-but especially his heart-has been focused on the many unique needs of new youth workers. Doug covers all-important issues such as: Dealing with discouragement Establishing a solid spiritual foundation Building effective relationships with students Resolving conflict Ministering to parents and families Trailblazing change Working with volunteers Defining a realistic job description And many others! In addition, a chorus of insightful sidebar voices joins your conversation with Doug, among them ministry veterans Jim Burns, Steve Gerali, Mike Yaconelli, Helen Musick, Chap Clark, Marv Penner, Rick Warren, Jana L. Sundene, Bo Boshers, Duffy Robbins, Tony Campolo, and Richard Ross, all who’ve composed extensive, topical essays for each of the dozen chapters.

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