By Alvin L. Reid
Reviewed by Rodney Norvell
Every now and then you read someone and they articulate what you are have been saying and thinking for a long time. Alvin’s book did just that for me as I read it. Even in the short time that I was a youth minister before graduating to collegiate ministry I remember thinking, “Why all the fluff, can’t we just get down to Scripture and living it out!” I didn’t see that as boring (a regular criticism) at all, in fact as a dedicated youth I remember thinking all the time, “When are we going to get to the good stuff (the teaching of the Word).”
This book does a good job at showing the importance of youth and their incredible legacy of following God whole heartedly in Scripture. Everyone from David to Timothy and from Esther to Mary played a vital role in the Israel’s history. In modern day we have a lot to learn from young people, such as Cassie Bernall. Though directed at youth (i.e. teenagers) I think that there is plenty to be gleaned by collegiate students and ministers alike.
To begin with the book talks about the millennial generation and busts several of the myths that surround them. Culturally these applications can be made for most of our college students today. They are not pessimistic, self-absorbed, distrustful, rule breaking, racist rejects. Actually they are very bright, foreword looking, ready for a challenge and genuinely interested in seeking spiritual things. Many of these labels are attached to students because of the some exceptions and not the norm it would seem. A lot of this might be brought on because they do not think, invest, or support things the same way that other generations have. For example, Alvin notes that Barna is critical of youth ministry for not supporting the church and notes other criticisms such as the lack of success in youth ministry. Alvin believes this is more a statement about the church as a whole, and actually defends the passion and dedication of youth.
He does however concede that there is a great need for reformation in youth ministry. Then he offers three specific characteristics of how we can raise the bar in ministry: Pray, not just token head nod to God but commitment, Focus on God not games, and finally give a priority to evangelism. He sees the time as being right for these changes because of the characteristics of today’s millennials. They are up for being radically different and we need that. They are ready for change and have seen the flaws of the generations past. However one of the astounding keys to Alvin’s book is that youth need instruction in their zeal and adults need refueling from the zealousness of youth. To me he is hitting upon one of the greatest flaws in the modern and post-modern church. We have created a youth sub-culture that is separate from the adult congregation. We need each other! We need unity! Youth need to be instructed by Godly adults that teach instead of reprimand and adults need to be reminded of radical zealousness for Christ that youth so often exemplify.
As a key Alvin urges everyone to pray and advises teachers to teach the Bible, which he believes will be lived out in authentic worship and serious discipleship. We have got to free students from cultural church expectations in order to follow the Bible. The church must in my opinion begin to submit to the Bible and that is hard for many people to do because they are not reading it, don’t know what it says, or are more devoted to their own ideas than truth. Alvin says that we must start with authentic living that is being radical, real and risk-takers to follow God. This is incredibly powerful for students. It is being evangelistic. It is being intentional about ministry. He also urges students to follow authentic worship. Of course he includes music in this because of its power and integration into the youth culture, but he talks of the greater picture of worshipping with your life, giving your all. In authentic worship he sees people being reached for Christ in music and Biblical messages. He also sees leaders being called out. I have to agree this is often how I have seen God move. The question is why are we so slow to embrace it?
Final Alvin offers a word to parents about growing up. Ouch! He rightly reports that one of the biggest hindrances to youth is the lack of faith in their very own parents. As a collegiate minister I echo that one of the biggest hindrances to students being missionaries is their own Christian parents. One they are too afraid for their student’s safety, two they push the responsibility button to earn money, or three they really don’t believe that ministry is a good vocation, that God called their child or that evangelism is needed in the world. Anyway you look at this, it is a problem and I am glad Alvin was brave enough to address it.
In closing Alvin addresses the need for the church to be purpose driven, include youth in that vision, and he urges the church to include the youth in the leadership of that vision. He mentions holding rites of passage to affirm our youth and their role in God’s kingdom and his vision to reach the world.
This book is encouraging for those that work with young people and helps us catch of glimpse of where we need to be headed to correct some of our misinstruction on ministry and purpose. I applaud the need for us to teach students deep truth from the Scripture instead of watered down cartoon illustrations. Students long for us to be authentic to show them that Christianity is real and life changing. When most youth can’t wait to do grown up things, why is the church so slow in recognizing that we need to encourage them to be mature Christians offering our full support and wisdom? Let this book help remind us all to raise the bar in our ministry. Students live up to the expectations we place upon them and we have been guilty of expecting far to little from one of our greatest resources in the church.
Cost around $12
Published by Kregel Puglications
