Do They Run When They See You Coming?: Reaching Out to Unchurched Teenagers

by Jonathan McKee, Chap Clark (Foreword)

Reaching Out to Unchurched Teenagers Five facts about the unchurched: 1. They believe all religions have value. 2. They are spiritual, not religious. 3. They don’t know what Christianity really is. 4. They don’t know what they believe. 5. They are looking for something that works. If you want to make an impact on this generation, these are five basic rules you must understand. Author Jonathan McKee writes that by taking the time to learn students’ unique situations you show you care about them as people, not as mission projects. Informative and full of real-life examples, Do They Run When They See You Coming? provides vital information you need to better understand students outside your youth group. Yet this book isn’t a sociological or marketing survey; the tangible guidelines and methods inside help you get into the mind of unchurched students––so you can get to know their hearts. Because, as every youth worker knows, real ministry is always about getting to the heart.

Genres: Young Adult

160 pages, Paperback

First published December 14, 2004

About the author

Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the brand new IF I HAD A PARENTING DO OVER; 52 WAYS TO CONNECT WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE OBSESSED KID; and the Amazon "Best Seller," THE GUY'S GUIDE TO GOD, GIRLS AND THE PHONE IN YOUR POCKET. With over 20 years youth ministry experience, Jonathan speaks to parents and leaders worldwide. You can follow Jonathan on his blog at JonathanMcKeeWrites.com, getting a regular dose of youth culture and parenting help. Jonathan, his wife, Lori, and their three kids live in California.

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book focuses on how to reach "unchurched" teenagers. Not "non-christians;" McKee says the term is alienating and makes the kids feel like they can't be a part of the church unless they clean their lives up first, which is not the gospel we want to preach.

Things like this really made me think about being more sensitive around kids who haven't been exposed to the "christian ghetto" and all of it's church-isms: what exactly does it mean to be "saved" anyway? Saved from what? McKee encourages us to unpack all of these weighted words instead of just using them.

Youth Specialties is somewhat interested and moving towards the Emergent church movement; as such, there is NO theology in this book. No doctrine, nothing concrete. This is not a book that helps you explain the Bible. This book helps you understand youth; it's up to you to "fill in the blanks." However, the advice is sound and I definitely was excited to get out and meet kids after reading this book.