For more than 50 years relational and Inca national ministry has been a major focus in youth ministry. But for too long, those relationships have been used as tools-as a means to an end-where adults try to influence teenagers to accept, know, trust, believe, or participate in something. While our motives may be good, it's possible that by focusing on these goals, we're not ministering to the whole person. When we chose not to engage in the full life of a teen, we run the risk of failing them and our ministry. In this thoughtful and insightful book, Andrew Root challenges us to reconsider our motives and begin to somply consider being with and doing life alongside teenagers with no agenda other than to love them right where they are, by place-sharing. As he shares stories of his successes and failures in relational youth ministry, you'll find practical ideas to help you recreate the role of relationships in your youth ministry.
