Rating: 
Summary: Full of useful information
Review: I highly recommend Purpose Driven Youth Ministry for anyone involved with youth ministry, whether a full-time minister or a part-time volunteer. Although examples are geared more towards a large ministry, the principles can be applied to any size ministry. Get the book and enjoy learning more about winning and discipling youth for Christ!
Rating: 
Summary: Pragmatic Concepts of Youth Ministry
Review: I know that many youth pastors often feel the pressure for results (numbers) from senior pastors. It is quite easy to get into a mindset that says I'll do whatever it takes to get youth through the door and so you run out to read the latest how-to books from successful youth ministries such as Doug Fields and Saddleback Community Church. Sadly, most youth pastors never try to biblically evaulate what they read.
This is the case with Doug Field's book. Taking his concepts from his pragmatic senior pastor, Rick Warren, Fields writes a book aimed at youth pastors (hey if Warren can make money off adults, Fields can make money off youth). The book follows the same concept of THE PURPOSE DRIVEN CHURCH literally point to point. Both Warren and Fields advocate ministry that revolves around the five priniciples of ministry.
The problems with this book are the same as Warren's THE PURPOSE DRIVEN CHURCH and THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE. Both Fields and Warren have a faulty view of man's depravity, man's utter inability toward righteousness, and a low view of God's sovereignty through preaching. The books offers "new methods" but in reality it makes a mockery of the gospel by making growth the goal and not true disciples. It focuses on seekers and the unchurched while ignoring the saints. Truly, the Down-Grade controversy in our day is found from the pens of Bill Hybels, George Barna, C. Peter Wagner, Rick Warren, and now Doug Fields.
I urge all youth pastors to close this book and get on your face before a holy God with your Bible open. You don't need to worry yourself with how to reach youth but how to touch God. You need to feed the sheep and not amuse the goats. Make disciples one at a time and preach the gospel faithfully leaving the results in the hands of the omnipotent king (Eph. 1:3-14).
Rating:
Summary: most important book you'll encounter outside of the Bible
Review: If you are in youth ministry and have not yet read this book -- you aren't really in youth minsitry! The purposes and praticality of this book are worth any ammount of time and money. If you only read one other book (I assume you read the Bible) READ THIS ONE!!!
Rating:
Summary: *THE* Book on Youth Ministry for the 90s
Review: If you haven't read this book, then you've got to grab it NOW. This is changing the way youth ministry is done. Practical principles for implementing real, life-changing ministry!
Rating:
Summary: Put a Bible cover on it!!!
Review: It is not another program but a philosophy that empowers the youth minister to do his job and involve others in that job. The philosophy of this book can be applied an any church, I imagine. Whether you are a Saddle Back style church or an FBC Jacksonville - it is useable information. I am now applying the concept to my church and it is exciting to see how people are responding. I have already recommended the book to two youth ministers and will continue to do so. It is essential reading.
Rating:
Summary: The BEST resource for Youth Ministry I have ever read!
Review: Perhaps the most encouraging thing about Doug Field's book is that its principles can be applied to any size youth ministry. The things that he encourages do not only apply to "mega Church" situations. He offers valuable assesment advice and a Christ centered approach to meeting the spiritual needs of teens. This book is needed on the shelf of every youth worker in the country!
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best
Review: Simply one of the best books for any youth leader! Doug transfers many of the principles from the best-selling Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren into practical methods and an easy process any youth worker can apply to their current situation.The only weakness of the book in my opinion is that is somewhat attempts to oversimplify the "messiness" of youth ministry leadership. Can any five purposes or nine components catch ever game, activity, program, or mission trip in youth ministry? While Doug may write his book that way, real life tends to also allow for many "non-purpose driven" activities that also lead to radical life change in teens. Overall, I've read it three times as a youth pastor and still find good material I haven't had a chance to use yet. Get it. Read it. Use it.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best
Review: Simply one of the best books for any youth leader! Doug transfers many of the principles from the best-selling Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren into practical methods and an easy process any youth worker can apply to their current situation. The only weakness of the book in my opinion is that is somewhat attempts to oversimplify the "messiness" of youth ministry leadership. Can any five purposes or nine components catch ever game, activity, program, or mission trip in youth ministry? While Doug may write his book that way, real life tends to also allow for many "non-purpose driven" activities that also lead to radical life change in teens. Overall, I've read it three times as a youth pastor and still find good material I haven't had a chance to use yet. Get it. Read it. Use it.
Rating:
Summary: This book was the most beneficial book that I have ever read
Review: This book focused on every aspect that a Youth Pastor/Leader would need. It gives you an in depth plan on how to lead this generation of young people. No longer does a Youth Pastor have to be an event coordinator, this book will give you principles on what you can do to lead a Youth Ministry into the 21st Century.
Rating:
Summary: This is a book that sould be on every youth pastor desk
Review: This book helped me to truly understand Youth Ministry outside of the School See I just Grad from College and still not sure of youth min. Until I picked up this book. Good Job Doug
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