What youth leaders—Catholic and Protestant—will appreciate about Christopher Wesley’s excellent book Rebuilding Youth Ministry is his experience and gift for making difficult ministry hurdles less intimidating. Similar to so many contemporary ministry catch phrases and approaches such as Orange, Integration and Mentoring, it is exciting and enticing to see these concepts carried into the traditional Catholic methods of catechesis, as well as confirmation and the priestly role of teaching.
As a United Methodist pastor, I found much in this book that would play well in connectional or Episcopal congregations, and Catholic parishes certainly should consider Wesley’s book as a guide to contemporary youth ministry. As Wesley’s history suggests, any struggling youth ministry could find renewal through these ideas and practices. Among them: emphasizing relationships rather than programs, forming a team approach, getting outside the walls, asking the right questions, and embracing ambiguity.
Wesley’s book also should be required reading for any youth leader who is struggling to maintain or grow collaborative relationships with the pastor or other church leadership. The emphasis here is on service, teamwork and the beautiful gift of the parish.
As the subtitle of this book suggests, this practical book is filled with delightful, brief, powerful illustrations and ideas that can transform and blossom a youth ministry.
