Youth Ministry in City Churches

Summary:

Although this book was written in 1989, it still communicates valuable information for youth ministers in today’s urban environments.  With a theological argument for the call for Christians to minister in cities, the author lays a strong foundation for the importance of ministry to urban youth.  The content provides practical advice to the universal problems of urban ministry and also provides insight into the diversity of the urban culture and ways to reach diverse youth populations effectively.  The strength of this book is that it is the combined wisdom of 40 different youth ministry veterans. Additionally, the book offers statistics, charts, and other research that moves it beyond mere opinion.  Topics addressed include: myths about the city and different economic and ethnic groups; poverty; fundraising; programs; drugs; violence; and teen pregnancy.  In short, this book covers just about everything that makes up the complex web of ministry to urban youth.  Although some of the statistics may have changed over the past decade, the wisdom provided here rings true to today’s inner-city issues.   

Why does FASTEN recommend this resource?

This book is a good overview of urban ministry for first-time youth workers or church leaders preparing a ministry to the inner-city.  It will also provide helpful peer-to-peer learning for ministry veterans because it incorporates the experiences of 40 urban youth ministers nationwide.