Raising the Bar - 2nd Edition by Alvin L Reid (Paperback)

About the Book

This compelling book provides an impassioned plea for the church to set higher standards for ministry to teens and to their families.

Book Synopsis

"We know how to be teenagers. We want [the church] to show us how to be adults." --Kristin, aged 17

Two-thirds of today's teens are interested in having a meaningful relationship with God, yet less than one-third of them are active in a local church. Alvin Reid--an experienced pastor, professor, evangelist, and youth ministry speaker--suggests these statistics are more an indictment of the way the church does youth ministry than of the teens they try to reach.

Today's generation of teens, the Millennial generation, is marked by teamwork, authenticity, and a "can-do" attitude. They are much more than kids finishing childhood--a perspective many in the church have and that drives what often happens in youth group--they are young adults with incredible potential who need to learn how to be Christian adults. This compelling book provides an impassioned plea for the church to set a higher standard; to reinvent the fundamental ways we have ministered to teens and their families.

• Author is a recognized authority and sought-after speaker on youth ministry
• Views teens positively, but not naively
• Encourages and shows youth ministers and workers how to have a biblically successful ministry
• Written with passion and expert knowledge

From the Back Cover

"We know how to be teenagers. We want [the church] to show us how to be adults."

--Kristin, aged 17

Two-thirds of today's teens are interested in having a meaningful relationship with God, yet less than one-third of them are active in a local church. Alvin Reid--an experienced pastor, professor, evangelist, and youth ministry speaker--suggests these statistics are more an indictment of the way the church does youth ministry than of the teens they try to reach.

Today's generation of teens is marked by teamwork, authenticity, and a "can-do" attitude. They are much more than kids finishing childhood--an erroneous perspective of many in the church, and one that drives what often passes for effective youth ministry. Teens are young adults with incredible potential who need to learn how to be Christian adults. This compelling book provides an impassioned plea for the church to set a higher standard; to reinvent the fundamental ways we minister to teens and their families.

"[This book] is not for the faint of heart or those who are intimidated by this culture. It is written for those who are deadly serious about reaching and keeping this Digital generation. . . an unreached people group, 'a tribe apart' with their own language, values, customs and dress."

--Jay Strack
President, StudentLeadership.net

Alvin L. Reid (Ph.D., M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is professor of evangelism and the Bailey Smith Chair of Evangelism at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of seven books, including Radically Unchurched, Introduction to Evangelism, and Light the Fire: Raising a Generation to Live Radically for Jesus.

Review Quotes

"This book is for any youth worker who is discontented with the way the church is treating its teens. If churches have a desire to radically change the way their youth groups are run, then reading this book will point them in the right direction. It focuses on creative ways to study Scripture, new ways to do community and church service, and contemporary ways to enjoy fellowship. Teens are ready; it is up to the church to raise the bar."--R.K. "Church Libraries" (3/1/2005 12:00:00 AM)

Have you ever wondered how a powerful worship experience can complement powerful biblical preaching without overwhelming it? Are you ready to evaluate today's youth ministry? Raising the Bar scrutinizes both the successes and failures of student ministry.--Steven Pullis "Enrichment" (9/1/2006 12:00:00 AM)

Reid gives an impassioned plea for the church to set a higher standards and reinvent the fundamental ways we have ministered to teens and their families. Endorsed by Jay Strack of StudentLeadership.net-- "www.churchgrowth.org" (4/20/2005 12:00:00 AM)