10 Books Every Youth Leader Should Read

Taking a brief time-out from the current series here. Occasionally I get asked what books are best for youth leaders to read. Here are my favorites, though I'm sure different youth leaders will tell you different things. There's no particular order to the selections.

1. Impact student ministry that will transform a generation. Nashville, Tenn: Broadman & Holman, 2005. Print.
I'm reading this one right now, and so far it's great. It does a good job giving some basic principles for youth ministry, and has terrific insights, without overdoing ideas. If you're looking for a book that will tell you step-by-step how to do youth ministry, this one won't. It's better: it'll give you foundational principles for you to build a youth ministry on that will last longer than any ideas.

2. Lawrence, Rick. Jesus-Centered Youth Ministry. New York: Group, 2007. Print.
It's not about being purpose-drive, it's about being Spirit-led! The author makes that point throughout the book, that our youth ministries are to be centered on Christ alone. Great read, and will change the way you think about youth ministry.

3. Coleman, Robert Emerson. Master plan of evangelism. Grand Rapids, MI: Spire, 1994. Print.
Every Christian should read this book. I read it while in college, and it literally transformed my approach to ministry. This short book has been the foundation of much of my philosophies for the past 15 years.

4. Ken, Davis,. How to speak to youth-- and keep them awake at the same time. Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan House, 1996. Print.
This may not be the most detailed book about how to preach, but Davis does a good job explaining basic principles and offers a simple sermon structure that is good for beginners. It's a short read, so I advise anyone to pick it up and make the truths here part of your sermons. Plus, the cartoons are funny.

5. McDowell, Josh. Josh McDowell's handbook on counseling youth a comprehensive guide for equipping youth workers, pastors, teachers, and parents. Dallas: Word Pub., 1996. Print.
This is a good reference guide. Buy it, keep it handy on the shelf, and be prepared to take it out often. It leaves some major issues out, but the ones it covers it covers well.

6. Olson, Ginny, Diane Elliot, and Mike Work. Youth Ministry Management Tools. Grand Rapids: Zondervan/Youth Specialties, 2001. Print.
Youth leaders seem to have a problem with administration. (I know from experience!) This book started me on the path toward organization, and I still pull it down from time to time to use as a reference guide. Plus, the software it comes with is a great simple program for tracking students, and is worth the price of the book alone.

7. Yaconelli, Mike. Getting fired for the glory of God collected words of Mike Yaconelli for youth workers. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, Youth Specialties, 2008. Print.
What can you say about Mike Yaconelli? The Father of Modern Youth Ministry, his insights for youth pastors are terrific. Plus, the DVD/CD with his sermons is great. Take this stuff to heart!

8. Fields, Doug. Purpose-driven youth ministry 9 essential foundations for healthy growth. Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan, 1998. Print.
I hesitate to include this, because it is often over-used and abused. Fields has a good approach, but you'll need to modify it greatly to fit your church. If you read this one, be sure to balance it with #1 and #2 on the list above.

9. Manning, Brennan. The Ragamuffin Gospel Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out. Sisters: Multnomah, 2005. Print.
10. Foster, Richard J. Celebration of discipline the path to spiritual growth. [San Francisco]: HarperSanFrancisco, 1998. Print.
EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD READ THESE BOOKS! They aren't about youth ministry, except that the youth pastor's spiritual health is vital to the health of the youth ministry. These books are every bit as important (probably more important) than books that give you ideas about how to do ministry. Your ministry will flow from your character, and these books will develop your character. So put them toward the top of your reading pile.

That's all for today, folks. We'll resume the small group leadership series soon.