Uncommon Youth Ministry: Doug Fields and Mark DeVries

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I was a little let down by this very engaging book by Dr. Burns. Not because of the plethora of information, research, and insight into youth ministry. Simply, as I had just finished two great books on building youth ministries by Doug Fields Your First two Years in Youth Ministry and Mark DeVries Sustainable Youth Ministry. Both of the above books were published after the eminent work of Dr. Burns. Fields and Devries books I read before Dr. Burns Uncommon Youth Ministry. Do not get me wrong, all three books are very pertinent and applicable in their own way to growing and maintaining a vibrant and health youth ministry. What did pique my interest in Mr. Burns’ book, was how he pointed out three key elements in growing youth ministry. Acceptance, validation, and empowerment of the youth of today.
It is just that I believe Fields and DeVries borrow from the sagely Dr. Burns, which is in a way the greatest compliment you can give to another writer, teacher, or mentor. So a lot of the information I had already read. Mr. Burn’s book is filled with many ways a church can enable a youth m...

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