The Youth Ministry Survival Guide: How to Thrive and Last for the Long Haul

By Len Kageler

Book Overview

It's more common in youth ministry than we want to admit--burnout and failure. Exhaustion, frustration, disappointment, and conflict bring many youth workers to a point where they either choose a new church, a new career, or someone makes that choice for them. After thirty years of youth ministry experience, Len Kageler wants to help youth workers avoid the pitfalls that are common to their calling, and give them the tools to not only survive, but also to thrive in youth ministry. Along with his own wisdom, Len offers insights gained from his 2006 survey of more than 300 burned out or fired youth workers who come from a variety of ministry contexts and denominations. If you're new to youth ministry, or you've been at it for a while and feel like you may be on the verge of burnout, The Youth Ministry Survival Guide will help you: - deal with conflict and compromise - determine the causes of burnout (and how to avoid them ) - discover how your personality, and the personality of those you work with, affects the dynamics of your ministry experience - develop the best plan for working with senior pastors, church leadership, parents, and students, so you can... - do youth ministry in your 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond Don't let burnout force you out Inside this book you'll find steps you can take to help build fences against failure, and you'll learn what it takes to survive and thrive in youth ministry.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0310276632
• ISBN13: 9780310276630
• Release Date: April 2008
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 8.9"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

A must read for youth ministers

I have been a full time youth minister for almost fourteen years and I still find this book to be extremely helpful. I got the original edition of this book over 10 years ago, and wore it out. I was real excited to see that Kageler had updated it. I have taken almost all of my ministry interns through this book, and they have all gained much from it. We have all appreciated the authentic, down to earth, transparent writing style that Kageler employs. His insight and applications are all very easy to understand and appreciate. The only downside to this book is that some have felt that Kageler presents a very "administrative" heavy style of youth ministry and not so much a spiritual one. However, Kageler very effectively shows that the hard reality of youth ministry is that a mastery of organization on some level is a necessary evil if one is to avoid getting fired or burned out. Definitely an outstanding book and a must read for all youth ministers.

Great Youth Ministry Brush Up Practice Book

Read and discussed it with my intern. Great overview of the real issues facing youth ministry. Gives tips and real situations on how to deal with conflict, parents, pastors, and unexpected situation that WILL arise in any congregational youth ministry. I have been in full time youth ministry and can still benefit from well written veterans youth ministry veterans like Len! Would recommend to any congregational youth worker!