I just bought Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on my cell phone. The process was so easy. No 800 num­ber to call; no waiting for someone to take my order as I lost my place in the cata­logue becaus...

My cell rang. “David Olshine?” asked a voice who identified herself as Laura. “I hear your group helps churches find youth ministry workers’ jobs?” I said yes and asked how we co...

For many teenagers (and adults) who grow up in middle- and upper-class America, grasping the concept that poverty exists in our back­yard is sometimes difficult. We glimpse what’s happening in our c...

Imagine that I could convince you that breathing was bad for you. I would let you continue to know that you had to breathe to, you know, stay alive and stuff, but I’d make you want to breathe as little as...

In urban and African-American communities, the barbershop can be a sanctuary of sorts, especially for young men. I recently went to the barbershop myself for a haircut—just a normal one, not a “doo...

I spent the first 16 years of my adult life working with teenagers in a variety of youth ministry positions. I’ve spent the last 17 years studying teenagers, their lives and their culture. In the midst of...

My first 10 months in youth ministry were textbook perfect. I’ll share my secret formula with you. I began with this question: “How can I draw teens?” My answer included a catchy purpose state...

Regal, 2007, 296 pp., $17.99, www.regalbooks.com God on Mute takes a refreshingly honest and hopeful look at the difficult and often un­discussed topic of suf­fering and unanswered prayer. Using Jes...

Baker, 2006, 128 pp., $12.99, www.bakerpublishinggroup.com If the tagline to Still Waters and Skyscrapers sends you fleeing for the hills to escape a dreaded cliché beast, take a moment to calm your&sh...

MELODY CARLSON has an uncanny gift for getting inside the hearts and minds of today’s teens -- and great respect for youth ministry. She is an award-winning author of more than 150 books for young adults,...