Life Journey/Cook Publications,
2006, 254 pp., $12.99,
www.cookministries.com/lifejourney
These two authors agree the church is in need of serious change in order to meet the needs of and contribute to the growth of youth. Stecker, in Men of Honor Women of Virtue, communicates a position challenging the traditional approach churches take to youth ministry. He rejects the concept of “adolescence” as a man-made, “unbiblical,” invention of modern culture. Instead, Stecker embraces the view that children become adults at physical maturity — or around age 13.
Stecker differentiates “adulthood” from “maturity.” Thus, the job of parents and the church is to prepare children to become mature adults. Dr. Stecker seems content to reach children of the church, while not offering a solution to reach children outside of the church.
The great danger of this book is that Dr. Stecker constantly refers to his own theories as “God’s way.” Although challenging and thought provoking, “Dr. Stecker’s way” leads to an isolationist mentality in which the protection of one’s own children takes priority over a generation dying without Christ.
