Liberty Theological Seminary

Middle School Ministry Made Simple Book Critique

Presented to Dr. Jim Graham YOUT 510 - B02

Submitted By Shamyra Kennedy-Jones September 29, 2013

Author Information Kurt Johnson is a junior high pastor at Saddleback Church which is located in Southern California.1 Johnston has served in the middle school ministry for over twenty years.2 Johnson and is family currently lives in Orange County, California, where he spends majority of his time ministering to middle schoolers. 3 Johnson stated that, his middle ministry began when he was twenty-two and was in the process of trying to finish college.4 Content Summary Johnson wrote this book as a guide to help people to be able to minister to the young people in middle and junior high school.5 He did this, out the love that he has of ministering to young people.6 Because of his over twenty years of experience that author provides rader with information that is based on.7 In this the book Johnson wants to provide additional assistance to what you are doing to make your middle school ministry that much better.8 The book begins by, Johnson having a please read this chapter section, which gives a brief overview of some of the discussing topics.9 Johnson in this book tries to give the reader advice on how to be a leader, and he reminds the reader that they to was once in middle school.10

1. http://www.simplyyouthministry.com/resources-adult-leaders-development-middle-school-ministry-made-simple.html 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Retrived September 27, 2013. Ibid. Ibid.

Johnston, Kurt. Middle School Ministries Made Simple. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2008.

Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. Ibid.

One of the things the author reminds us is that, "It's important for junior high students to recognize that God has given them unique gifts that he hopes will be used to minister to others."11 We need to have quality programs which is better than having a larger number of programs that do not meet the needs of the middle schoolers.12 When talking to students try to avoid sayings that students do not like such as, "When I was your age...".13 The author states that what was done then may be irrelavant for todays youth.14 One of the concepts that touched on is the training of future Ministers and Pastors. This endeavor is serious because its not only for soul care, but education and training, and should not be taking lightly.15 The author belives that the youth minister need to have the parents trust and the only way to gain their trust is though communication and getting the parents involved with the youth ministry. The paretns need to see how the things you are doing will impact their child for the rest of their lives.16 Just as it is important for the parents to support the minister, the minister has to support the parents.17 "If you purposely are undermining the parents, you will not only lose the support of the parent, but their child as well".18 The leader must make sure that they have the parents permission to allow their child to participate prior to any planned event or trip.19 Asking the parents to be an active part of the ministry by being a facilitator or helping the planning process will bridge the communication gap.

11. 12. 13. 14.

Johnston, Kurt. Middle School Ministries Made Simple. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2008. Ibid Ibid Ibid

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15. 16. 17. 18. Ibid Ibid Ibid Ibid

The author believes that the reason why ministry exists, is to help those believers, no matter what their age, a more indepth understanding about God.19 There is no certain appoach in regards to ministry, we as ministers have to use caution and not think that everything will work for everyone.20 Because what works one person will or may not work for the next. Evaluation In reading Middle School Ministry Made Simple I did found out that is that, "we must learn how to deal with certain siuations and distractions, and go along with what is taking part."21 The author brings up a valid point we he states that, we must evaluate our existing programs in the church to see not only what the objective of the program is; but make sure that the main principles of the program are still sound.22 In the book the author states that "many people think that in middle school or junior high ministry, everything is based around pizza parties and that youth ministry are more than just that."23 The book states that you have to understand that parties or outings away from church do not mean your ministry is havung true Biblical fellowship.24 You as a youth minister have to be patient because Biblical fellowship takes time and the youth must understand who Jesus is and what he has done for them.25 Johnson in this book provides new outlook on youth ministry and it touches on some of the valid points to help make your youth ministry successful.26

19.

Johnston, Kurt. Middle School Ministries Made Simple. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2008.

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20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. Ibid.

The author give tips throughout the book on everything from wisdom, experiences of the student to having ideas on being creative with your youth ministry.27 One good that should used is when the author writes that, "we recognize in order to have a healthy junior high ministry we must provide opportunities for discipleship".28 This is great book but unfortunately, the book had some aspects that I did not care too much for. One of these aspects was when the author talks about different areas in the youth ministry, reading this made me feel that there was not enough time spent leading me to feel that there was not enough time invested on their point of view.29 From reading this book it seems that there youth ministry programs out there that do not have any youth influence. It seem like these programs are developing the same type of students over and over.30 It seems that the best ministries are the ones that has a lot of youth influence. Because youth ministry are so often miscontrued the author in this book talks about the different approaches that would make the ministry fun but engaging at the same time.31 I would recommend this book for those youth minister that has little to no experience or education in when it comes a youth ministry. The author does a great job in covering all the basics that provides the reader a little more insight on how to better run a youth ministry program.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Johnston, Kurt. Middle School Ministries Made Simple. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2008. Ibid. Ibid. Ibid Ibid.

Bibliography

Johnston, Kurt. Middle School Ministries Made Simple. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2008. http://www.simplyyouthministry.com/resources-adult-leaders-development-middle-schoolministry-made-simple.html Retrived September 27, 2013.