OMG : a youth ministry handbook / Kenda Creasy Dean, editor ; with Roland Martinson ... [and others]. [print]

I. Oh my God: an introduction Haunting questions You are not alone Telling the truth: we do this for joy The trouble with research Does youth ministry matter? ; Do our practices of youth ministry reflect Christ? ; Does our practice of youth ministry shape Christians? ; How long can we keep this up? ; Can we do better? ; ; II. Daunting challenges Spying on Canaan The challenges of a changing lifestage Expanding adolescence? ; Ending adolescence? ; The challenges of a changing context A new sense of place: the challenge of getting grounded A new sense of time: the challenge of changing tempo A new sense of stuff: the challenge of living generously A new sense of self: the challenge of branding A new sense of story: the challenge of telling the truth Challenges ahead: serving Christ in a post-Christendom church Learning to be church (again) ; ; III. Enduring themes Some things last: Christ's call to discipleship Thumb-lines in youth ministry Belonging: including young people in the community of faith Accompaniment: joining young people on the journey of faith Participating in means of grace: strengthening young people for the life of faith The sign potential of community The sign potential of imagination The sign potential of adolescence ; "Being in time" ; -- IV. Promising possibilities The madness of ministry with young people The theological "turn" in youth ministry Dick and Jane go to church: the hunger for a worthy adventure The missional church: following Jesus into the world: 1. Vocation and mission; 2. Through the roof and through the window Redefining community: from connections to communion: 1. New ways to belong; 2. Communion, not connections Sacred practices: aiming for embodied faith: 1. Practicing the presence of God; 2. A curriculum of sacred practices; 3. The importance of parents Beyond training events: new possibilities for forming leaders Incarnational leadership formation is communal Incarnational leadership formation is repeated and ongoing Incarnational leadership formation is situated Incarnational leadership formation is Spirit-led Streams in the wasteland ; ; V. Emerging competencies Setting the believers an example (or not) ; Leading with integrity: still learning Searching the Scriptures: expecting transformation in Bible study Inviting wholeness: identity and integrity in teaching Stilling the soul: the practice of presence Soul doctors: nurturing hope amidst suffering Spectators no more: creating church versus consuming it Choosing life: discerning vocation with young people Benedict of Nursia, youth guy ; ; Virgin Islands A maturing discipline Youth ministry comes of age (maybe) ; Field or discipline Specialists or generalists The risks of intellectual maturity Pastoral imagination: job #1 for preparing youth ministers Practical theology: the parent discipline of youth ministry Discipling a discipline Report card for an emerging discipline A common mission: theological education and reform A common language: a conundrum A cadre of professionals: a significant presence Academic programs: proliferating Academic research: a hopeful sign Distinctive pedagogies: still evolving Growing pains in a growing field.

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