Book Review: Sustainable Youth Ministry by Mark DeVries

Sustainable Youth Ministry is more than just another book on youth ministry, it is a set of blueprints that will help any youth ministry last longer and grow stronger. DeVries has combined his years of youth ministry experience with his years of youth ministry consulting to offer insight and wisdom about the state of many youth ministries.

Part of the problem facing youth ministry today is the fact that there are youth ministers who do not put much thought into their ministry. They have little to no idea of what direction the youth ministry is going or if it is lining up with the rest of the congregation. These ministries are simply not sustainable. By following a few simple pieces of advice offered in this book, these same ministries could easily become sustainable. In fact, every youth ministry across the country can be sustainable, and sustainable is not dependent on a particular youth minister, either.

One important lesson from the book comes from chapter nine. DeVries talks about the necessity of balcony time within a youth ministry. A youth minister needs to take time to step back and overlook the ministry. Balcony time is the time you use to make sure the important things get done. Beyond balcony time, some of the other topics discussed include: building structure, search teams, emotionally healthy youth workers, church politics, and obstacles.

If you plan on being in youth ministry for a long time. If you desire to see your youth ministry continue to be strong well after you leave. Or if you care at all about youth ministry. You need to read, discuss and wrestle with this book. It is simply the best book I have read so far this year!

My advice (rating) – buy more than one and give out copies (5 out of 5)