Summary of the Message of the Book
As expressed quite fully in the title, the message of Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry by Doug Fields is that youth ministry at its best is that which is driven by a purpose. It contends that the purpose that drives this ministry cannot be just any purpose but must be ultimately the glory of God.
The book also sets out to present the strategies and tactics the author has used to accomplish this goal in his ministry experience. He presents the five goals of his church and youth ministry and the nine components that his ministry functions in.
Memorable Thoughts and Quotes
Fields filled his book with several thoughts and quotes that stand out. They may stand out for good or bad reasons, but their distinction is irrefutable.
Of the good that was found in the book, of specific note was the challenge right off the bat in Chapter 1. The first challenge to having a healthy youth ministry is to have spiritually healthy youth leaders. Indeed, as youth ministry is more than mere communication of information, the youth leader(s) will need to have legitimate, substantial spiritual lives with which to influence and set examples for the teens.
Also of note was the warning on pg. 85 that any given event or program cannot accomplish every goal that you have for the youth ministry. It may effective achieve fellowship and instruction, but to also include evangelism, worship, service, and whatever else would be a definite stretch.
The categorical perspective of youth presented in Chapter five was a profitable concept as well. As it is presented as an “adaptable principle” and not absolute truth, it has potential as a tool for viewing my potential audience.
That youth should not be perceived as the “future church” but as “today’s church,” just as much as adults are “today’s church” is a memorable truism that shakes the core of many faulty youth ministry philosophies. Though his application of this truth may differ from my own, I was certainly grateful that he brought it to light.
Of the disagreeable content, worth noting were such statements and thoughts as “Purpose-driven youth ministry is not derived from a way youth ministry was done or should be done, but from how it is being done,” that unbelievers were encouraged to participate in ministry teams, and Scripturally baseless standards for worship environments.
Questions the Book RaisedWhile much of the book’s content was profitable on a practical level, many questions did arise during the reading. The majority of the questions were generated in the vacuum of Biblical basis for the ministry ideals presented.
Primarily, one must ask if the necessity for, formation and conveyance of, and adherence to the purpose is as important as the purpose itself. If the purpose for the youth ministry’s existence is the glory of God, why is so little mentioned of it?
Second, why is such a “comprehensive” work on youth ministry devoid of the biblical underpinnings of the practical truths it dwells on?
Third, if the type of youth ministry advocated in this book is not supposed to be an entity separate from the church itself (pg. 352), how is it integrated? The picture of a purpose-driven youth ministry presented in the book seemed to be entirely self-sufficient and independent from the church as a whole.
Practical Application
The impact of the book thus far mentioned is not mere acknowledgement of truth. The truths are immediately applicable to my ministry. My philosophy of youth ministry was affected to a degree in the absence of specific comment on Biblical philosophy.
My Biblical philosophy was affected primarily in regards to the concept of the youth ministry within the framework of the church as a whole. As Fields commented late in the book, the youth ministry is not a separate entity from the church, but one part of the overall mission of the church. Much of the teaching of the rest of the book, however, seems to encourage such a separate entity. I was forced to combat such narcissistic philosophies germinating in these pages as I have against the same growing trend in churches all around. I must, rather, perceive ministering to youth in a more restrained role more consistent with the efforts of the church. I believe this will result in a de-emphasis of a youth ministry, but not a de-valuing. It will, at the same time, alleviate many superfluous, man-made issues in youth ministry that this book find necessary to address.
With that work accomplished in the ground work of my philosophy, I am excited to employ specific practical changes. For starters, I will benefit in my lesson plans by evaluating my potential audience against his suggested categories. I can prepare lessons that can be better used by God for a wide spectrum of students, from the biblically illiterate to the knowledgeable but unmotivated.
At the same time, I am learning that it is impossible to accomplish every goal or reach every type of student in a single lesson or event. In the planning stages, a clear concept of who, what, and why will hopefully refine my execution much better.
Evaluation and RecommendationAs with anything uninspired, there is truth to take from this book as there is information to discard. That which proves profitable is primarily practical suggestion for administering a youth ministry while that which is worth discarding is that which is so practical that it exceeds any Biblical realm of actual ministry.
To be fair, though, the concept of a purpose-driven youth ministry is the most Biblical point made in the book. A pointless, wandering youth (or any other) ministry does not bring much glory to God or much fruit. I agree that my youth ministry must be driven by a passion for the glory of God and a desire for Biblically defined growth and fruit.
From this central point flow many helpful suggestions for formation, organization, and administration of the youth ministry. As aforementioned, such a practical suggestion as categorization of audience is constructive to a naïve beginner as myself. I am certain that as I progress in ministry, I will find the myriad of practical suggestions more and more helpful, to the degree that they bring glory to God in their application.
While the purpose-driven concept is its most Biblical point, it attracts unbiblical application. The focus on a unifying purpose quickly evolved into a business-like strategy for success. While the author clearly intends to speak from his practical experience as opposed to developing a biblical philosophy of ministry, I believe the dichotomy was too great. Beyond a foundational Biblical philosophy, the practical means of ministry must also be guided by Scriptural principles. I am not certain how a ministry so driven by such a high purpose as the glory of God can operate without consideration of Biblical principles that are sufficient for all matters of life and godliness.
In summary, I would recommend this book for many of its beneficial, practical suggestions that can be adaptable to the individual youth ministry. I would yet caution the reader to avoid the pitfall seemingly allowed by this book to focus on the means of the purpose more than the purpose, God’s glory.
