One of our goals at the EDGE BLOG is to provide students and student pastors with resources that will help them grow, bring excitement, offer a sense of hope and renewal, or simply help sustain them through the everyday battles of faith and ministry.
Today, I’m dropping the names of a few books that will help all those who are working in or considering working in student ministry.
This is, by no means, an exhaustive list. It is not necessarily even my personal “Top 5.” I contemplated listing one, two, five, or ten books—or even more. I considered listing the books by category: encouragement, missions, Bible teaching, fun, spiritual growth, etc. But too many books on a single topic would be a bit overwhelming, and to tackle too many areas would also be overwhelming.
There will be more lists and ideas and books to come. But for now, here are some of the “best of the best” when it comes to books dealing with student ministry—books about youth ministry and teenagers for those who are called to love, train, and develop students into mature followers of Christ. In no particular order:
Purpose Driven Youth Ministry: 9 Essential Foundations for Healthy Growth by Doug Fields
Sustainable Youth Ministry: Why Most Youth Ministry Doesn’t Last and What Your Church Can Do About It by Mark DeVries
Contemplative Youth Ministry: Practicing the Presence of Jesus by Mark Yaconelli
Hurt 2.0: Inside The World of Today’s Teenagers by Chap Clark
Sticky Faith: Everyday Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids by Kara E. Powell and Chap Clark
Happy Reading!