Generations Together: Caring, Praying, Learning, Celebrating, & Serving Faithfully
C/Y/YA/A/F/I
by Kathie Amidei, Jim Merhaut & John Roberto
Faith is passed down from one generation to another. The church is the only place where regularly multiple generations gather together weekly on a regular basis. Although that is changing. This book equips churches to think about how the generations can live together among God's faithful people.
Published by LifelongFaith Associates in 2014
Reimagining Faith Formation for the 21st Century: Engaging All Ages and Generations
C/Y/YA/F/I
By John Roberto
The author explores what Faith Formation in the 21st Century could look like. John does a great job or rethinking faith formation.
Published by Lifelong Faith Associates in 2015
The Digital Cathedral: Networked Ministry in a Wireless World
YA/A/I
by Keith Anderson
This is a really interesting book about what the author calls, "Networked Ministry". He writes about the current wireless culture we live in and compares ministry in this time with that of ministry in a cathedral. It is an interesting and helpful look at rethinking faith formation and ministry.
Published by Morehouse Publishing in 2015
From Tablet to Table: Where Community Is Found and Identity Is Formed
YA/A/F/I
by Leonard Sweet
In this book Leonard Sweet writes about the importance of the table in the Bible and in our lives. He invites the reader to bring back different types of tables in our churches and homes. The table is an important tool in faith formation.
Published by NavPress in 2015
Family Ministry, A Comprehensive Guide
C/Y/YA/A/F
by Diana R. Garland
This is Diana Garland's second edition of this book. If you are looking for a great comprehensive guide to family ministry than this is a great book to read.
Published by IVP Academic in 2012
Sacred Stories of Ordinary Families
F
by Diana R. Garland
This book is about how our faith shapes our family's live. And asks what is it that characterizes faith and spirituality in family life?
Published by Jossey-Bass in 2003
Family- Based Youth Ministry
C/Y/F/I
by Mark DeVries
This is the revised and expanded edition of Mark DeVries's Family-Based Youth Ministry book. He writes about an approach to family ministry that takes your work seriously and about involving the whole church family and not just the nuclear family. He says it's important to involve the youth in the whole life of the church.
Published by IVP Books in 2004
The Family-Friendly Church
C/Y/F/I
by Ben F. Freudenburg and Rick Lawrence
In this book the author tells of his journey across America visiting with family-friendly churches and leaders like Rollie Martinson and Search Institute among others. He tells about what he found that various ministry are doing successfully in Family Ministry and how to be a family-friendly church.
Published by Group Publishing in 2009
From the Great Omission to Vibrant Faith
A/F/I
by Dr. David W. Anderson
In this book the author talks about the importance of parents in faith formation and how the church has failed to equip parents to do their role in faith formation. He gives suggestions how the church can equip parents to give their children a vibrant faith.
Published by The Youth & Family Institute in 2009
Vibrant Faith in the Congregation
C/Y/YA/A/F/I
by Dr. David W. Anderson
In this second book about a vibrant faith, Dr. Anderson writes about how churches can implement vibrant faith strategies and involve all generations in ministry. He writes about how different areas of ministry in the church can partner with parents in passing on a vibrant faith to the next generation.
Published by Vibrant Faith Ministry in 2011
It is available at Milestones Ministry
Frogs Without Legs Can't Hear
C/Y/YA/A/F/I
by Dr. David W. Anderson and Dr. Paul G. Hill
In this book the authors challenge the church to shift the center of faith formation from the congregation to a shared center with the home and daily life.
Published by Augsburg Fortress Publishers in 2003
Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers is Telling the American Church
Y/YA
By Kenda Creasy Dean
This is an eye-opening book based on the National Study of Youth and Religion. Kenda Creasy Dean explores why American teenagers are positive about Christianity, but apathetic about genuine religious practice.
Published by Oxford University Press in 2010
Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers
Y/YA
by Christian Smith with Melinda Lundquist Denton
This book tells the story of the religious and spiritual lives of cotemporary American teenagers. It reports the findings of the National Study of Youth and Religion.
Published by Oxford University Press in 2005
(a reprint was done in 2009)
Faith Forward: A Dialogue on Children, Youth & a New Kind of Christianity
C/Y/YA/F
Edited by David M. Czinos & Melvin Bray
This book is based on 21 presentations from the 2012 "Children, Youth & a New Kind of Christianity" conference.
Published by Woodlake in 2013
Faith Forward Volume 2
C/Y/YA/F
Edited by David M. Csinos & Melvin Bray
This is the second volume of "Faith Forward: Children, Youth & a New Kind of Christianity". It is based on presentations given after the "Faith Forward" conference in 2014.
Published by CopperHouse in 2015
Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry
Y
Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry: From a Strategy of Influence to a Theology of Incarnation
by Andrew Root
Andrew Root encourages leaders to think about why and how they do "relational" ministry. He suggests that "relational" ministry should be an opportunity no to influence young people but to stand with and for young people.
Published by IVP Books in 2007
The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry
Y
by Andrew Root and Kenda Creasy Dean
This book takes youth ministry very seriously and takes a theological look at the what, why, how, etc. of youth ministry especially in the 21st century. They go beyond fun and games into theological and scriptural views of youth ministry.
Published by IVP Books in 2011
Bonhoeffer as Youth Worker: A Theological Vision for Discipleship and Life Together
Y
by Andrew Root
Andrew Root writes about how he feels Bonhoeffer was a forefather and a model of a theological turn in youth ministry. In doing so Andrew writes about a theological vision for discipleship and youth ministry.
Published by Baker Academic in 2014
Taking the Cross to Youth Ministry
Y
by Andrew Root
This book is one in a series of 4 books where Andrew Root takes a theological journey through youth ministry. In each book he writes a story about a youth minister wrestling with the use of scripture, theology, mission & theology of the cross.
Published by Zondervan/Youth Specialties in 2012
Taking Theology to Youth Ministry
Y
by Andrew Root
This book is one in a series of 4 books where Andrew Root takes a theological journey through youth ministry. In each book he writes a story about a youth minister wrestling with the use of scripture, theology, mission & theology of the cross.
Published by Zondervan/Youth Specialties in 2012
The Godbearing Life: The Art of Soul Tending for Youth Ministry
Y
by Kenda Creasy Dean and Ron Foster
In this book the authors lead you through a great description of shepherd youth and not just being their friend, teacher or chaperone. They write about the core and soul of youth ministry centered on Jesus Christ. Many in youth ministry feel this book is a must read for anyone doing ministry with youth.
Published by Upper Room in 1998 and again in 2005
The Spirit and Culture of Youth Ministry
Y/F/I
by John Roberto, Wesley Black and Roland Martinson
This book is based on a major ecumenical research project, "The Study of Exemplary Congregations in Youth Ministry". They found 44 faith assets for developing a vibrant Christian faith in young people.
The book is currently out of print, but there is an Kindle version of this book available on Amazon.
Published by EYM Publishing in 2010
Youth Ministry in the 21st Century: Five Views (Youth, Family, and Culture)
Y
Edited by Chap Clark
Five ministry leaders share 5 different views on youth ministry in the 21st century. They also give comments on each others views.
Published by Baker Academic in 2015
Youth Ministry: What's Gone Wrong and How to Get It Right
Y
by David Olshine
The author of this books asks questions about whether or not we are doing the right things in youth ministry. He suggests we need to rethink how we do youth ministry.
Published by Abingdon Press in 2013
Thriving Youth Ministry in Smaller Churches: Secrets for Cultivating a Dynamic Youth Ministry
Y
by Rick Chromey and Stephanie Caro
According to the authors, the average church in America has around 75 members, so most churches are smaller churches. But many youth ministry books and resources seem to be geared toward larger churches. In this book the authors give suggestions and tips on doing youth ministry in smaller churches.
Published by Simply Youth Ministry in 2009
Contemplative Youth Ministry: Practicing the Presence of Jesus
Y/YA
by Mark Yaconelli
This book is about listening more intently to God and responding more directly to the needs of students. It is about using contemplative traditions and authentic relationship building. It is a more organic and prayerful view of youth ministry.
Published by Youth Specialties in 2006
The 1 Thing
C/Y/YA/A/F
The 1 Thing: What Everyone Craves - That Your Church Can Deliver
by Thom & Joani Schultz
Think about ways your church offers an environment where relationships with Jesus and others can flourish.
Published by Group Publishing in 2004
Think Orange: Imagine the Impact When Church and Family Collide
C/Y/F/I
by Reggie Joiner
This book is about how churches (yellow - the light of Christ in the community) and homes (red - love) need to work together. Some say that faith formation is all about the church (yellow) and others say it is all about the home/family (red). The author says that it is both; church and home together (orange).
Published by David C. Cook in 2009
The Orange Leader Handbook: A Think Orange Companion
C/Y/F/I
by Reggie Joiner
This is a handbook, companion resource for groups to use in thinking about and working through the "Thinking Orange" process found in the "Think Orange" book.
Published by David C. Cook in 2010
Playing for Keeps / Losing Your Marbles
C/Y/F/I
by Reggie Joiner, Elizabeth Hansen & Kristen Ivy
This is 2 books in one. One side of the book is about six things that you can give to a kid over time to have a significant impact on their life. The other side of the book is a short story called "Losing Your Marbles" that makes the six ideas come to life.
Published by Orange, a division of The rethink Group in 2013
Have You Ever . . . ?
Y/YA
by Les Christie
A book of "Have You Ever..." questions to get discussions going among youth.
Published by Zondervan/Youth Specialties in 1998