Family- Based Youth Ministry

by Mark DeVries

Have you tried all the new youth programs? Have you planned one too many wacky activities? Are you frustrated about the size of the youth group? Here's an approach to ministry that takes youth work seriously. Family-based youth ministry is about adults discipling teens one-on-one and in groups. It is about involving not just the nuclear family but the whole church family--from singles to older adults. More important, it's about incorporating youth into the life of your church. So stop worrying about the size of your youth group or your budget. Mark DeVries's refreshing approach to youth ministry will show you how your church can reach today's teens and how you can keep them involved in the life of the church. Whether you are a parent, a youth pastor or a church member who cares about teens, you will find in this book an entirely different approach to youth ministry that will build mature Christian believers.

Genres: Family, Theology, Young Adult, Christian, Church, Reference, Christianity

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1994

About the author

Mark DeVries (MDiv, Princeton Theological Seminary) is the founder of Ministry Architects, a consulting team that helps churches and ministry organizations build sustainable ministries for children, youth, young adults, and entire congregations. He served for twenty-eight years as associate pastor for youth and their families at First Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee. He has trained youth workers on five continents and has taught courses or been a guest lecturer at a number of colleges and seminaries. DeVries is the author of Sustainable Youth Ministry and Family-Based Youth Ministry, coauthor of The Most Important Year in a Woman's Life/The Most Important Year in a Man's Life, and he has been a contributing writer for Josh McDowell's Youth Ministry Handbook, Starting Right, and Reaching a Generation for Christ. In addition, his articles and reviews have been published in a variety of journals and magazines. He and his wife, Susan, have four grown children.

Reviews

[Ciara Wilkie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has an interesting idea but I'm not sure it would work for every church. The idea is to get parents more involved with Youth ministry and their children's spiritual life but many parents of youth kids do not go to church.
This problem isn't really addressed other than holding more parent events. It's an interesting idea and I will probably try some of the things mentioned.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book basically discusses the importance of drawing from parents as resources when doing youth ministry. This is something that youth programs rarely do well, so it serves as a good reminder. The book also reminds readers not to uphold the nucleus family as an idol in itself, for the Church, as God's family, can serve many functions that family itself cannot, and can stand in the gap to support people from broken families. It gives you a good foundational philosophy about how to support youth in their spiritual growth. The practical suggestions in the last chapter are helpful and give you a sense of where to start if you want to cultivate parents/adults as resource for youth ministry.

[Melbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best YM Book I’ve Ever Read

Mike DeVries offers a good foundation upon which youth ministries of every type can thrive. His emphasis on strengthening the nuclear family through the extended church family, and the involvement of caring church adults in youth ministry are very good ideas. Chapter 12 is a needed addition from the first edition of the book (which I owned for years), because it gives a quick how-to ideas on implementing family-based youth ministry. Can’t wait to read Part wring with Parents in Youth Ministry..

[Mark Archibald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is over 25 years old but still very relevant. It is founded on the principles of inter generational relationships, now more important than ever before. Well written and engaging. Broken into smaller sections so it is easy to read on the go. Really rich and impactful stuff here, much of which I’ve seen in action.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really challenged me to look at my philosophy of serving young people. Look forward to implementing some of the challenges from his experience in my own ministry and praying for life long transformation for young people and their families

[Alex Monseth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gave me a lot to think about! I wish he would acknowledge the impact Christian friendships have on teenagers though, something youth groups can have a big impact in. It did on me!

[Aaron Hand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty solid book, I liked and agreed with much of what the author put forth. I think that a balanced approach to youth ministry is likely most effective in the church today.

[Steve Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family-Based Youth ministry is another solid book on the need for churches to deeply investigate the problems within the youth-group style discipleship model that has been greatly employed for the last half century. Mark DeVries stands with some of my favorite authors like Reggie Joiner, Lawrence Richards, and Christian Smith saying that lasting spiritual formation doesn't come from well structured church programs alone. Rather we need strong Christian families and mentors who come along side the youth. DeVries says of the type of ministries that segragate youth into their own program:

We may assume that spending money on a "youth house" or a state-of-the-art "youth room" is exactly what our kids need. But far too often, such traditional "youth-serving" practices serve only as a quick-fix, patronizing solution to isolate kids from the very people they need to be around to develop a maturity in Christ.

In short this book works to heighten my desire to see a strong intergenerational church with less clutter of the church calendar featuring family dividing ministries.

[Linda White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good foundational concepts and truths based on cross generational discipleship ministry practice and ecclesiology. It was relevant and able to be applied so it is not changing program's but mindsets and involvement with teenagers from others in the church. At times I thought it was narrow in being able to deal with at risk kids who don't come from churched or faith backgrounds.

[Karen L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author challenges the reader to involve the youth of the church in more adult relationships and activities. He points out how many Christian young people fall from faith in college. Some very good points made. I recommend this to those who want to see their kids discipled.

[Jarrid Hawkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

The point of the book is fantastic. The book is now dated, but the original problem that sparked the book remains. The solution is still a prevalent idea, and should be. The book could however be faithfully and completely summed up in a much smaller read.

[Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A helpful foray into the world of FBYM. Much has developed and been tested since this initial work was released so read this in conjunction with other works like Timothy Paul Jones's “Family Ministry Field Guide” or Cannister's “Teenagers Matter.”

[Shane Whelan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The importance of parent/adult involvement within youth ministry and inter-generational relationships

[Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is great for seeing the holistic approach to youth ministry and its connect to the family as a whole!

[Len · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my few "must have" books for youth ministry.

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read in how to integrate families (parents) in youth ministry while still keeping some traditional qualities of youth ministry.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good information, but it did not enlighten me like I was expecting. However, if you are interested in Family Based Youth Ministry, you should check it out.

[Bledar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought-provoking ideas.

[Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid book by DeVries on realizing how significant parents are to quality youth ministry