Good Kids, Big Events, & Matching T-Shirts: Changing the Conversation on Health in Youth Ministry

by David Hertweck, Doug Fields (Foreword)

Good Kids, Big Events, & Matching T-Shirts invites youth leaders into a game-changing conversation. It helps them create and sustain a ministry to youth that is fueled by an effective, contagious relationship with God and others. Writer and youth worker David Hertweck makes great discoveries with fellow youth leaders while moving through three pivotal
Are youth becoming fluent in the gospel?
Are youth Spirit-dependent?
Do youth have biblical community?
Hertweck, a veteran youth worker, explains that if those who work in student ministry celebrate some wins while unintentionally missing the big picture new life in Christ students will believe the wrong things count. That could have enormous implications for how today s kids live out their faith now and as adults. When youth leaders choose to refocus on these values, they are heeding Jesus command to make disciples. The teens in their groups will thrive both now and later.

185 pages, Paperback

First published February 16, 2015

Reviews

[Brenden McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great food for thought about how a healthy youth ministry should look and act. Love the practical applications included in the book.

[Jim Toner · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a long time youth leader, I could relate well to the book. The main emphasis is keeping Christ in youth ministry.

[Mike Becher · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are three huge wins for this book. First, it's packed with meaty, timeless, biblical principles that will take time to flesh out opposed to flimsy, dated, personal fads that die by the the time the next iPhone comes out.

Second, the content outlined by David isn't limited to the world of youth ministry but is useful and recommended for anyone leading a ministry. It is a great addition to, and holds up to, the most sought after youth ministry resources available today. That's because he doesn't start with youth ministry practices and then fits the gospel into it, he starts with the gospel and outlines youth ministry practices within it.

Lastly, it's super practical. Along with each well-developed section on three main ways to measure ministry effectiveness, he includes a chapter with practical ways to begin to implement them. He uses the insights of various other proven youth ministry leaders to add to the conversation as well.

But the thing I love most about this book is the same reason I like books like "Simple Church" by Thomas Rainer & Eric Geiger and "Deep & Wide" by Andy Stanely.; they aren't proposing models to imitate or ministries to emulate, but are outlining timeless perspectives to consider, chew on with your team, and implement as it makes sense for the dynamics of your ministry and church setting.

David isn't proposing you "do ministry like this because it's the best way" he simply awakes our hearts to gospel and how it, and it alone, should shape how we evaluate ministry effectiveness. And he does it with great wit, humor, and unapologetic urgency.

Overall, this book raises the bar on measuring the effectiveness of youth ministry in this informative, and much needed resource for youth leaders today. David challenges the natural tendencies and inclinations youth workers fall prey to and introduces deeper, more meaningful questions to consider. It doesn't take long to realize that he is a seasoned youth leader, with years under his belt. He's not interested in quick fixes... he's zealous for the next generation of students to grasp the gospel, love the Savior, and be on mission with God for the rest of their lives.

You leave loving Jesus more, and feeling equipped to help teenagers love him too! This should be on the shelf of every youth worker on the planet.