This book captures the sweep of Doug Fields' experience and vision.

Destined to become a youth ministry classic. Developing a Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry is an absolute must-have for today's youth minister.

What The Purpose-Driven Church has done for pastoral ministry, this book is about to do for youth ministry. Doug Fields, the youth pastor at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church, reveals the foundations for a powerful, Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry (PDYM). Youth leaders passionate about a ministry that fulfills the five scriptural purposes of evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, and worship will discover a proven, team approach that reduces burnout and incorporates the strengths of the church as a whole.

What they won't get is another - Six Easy Steps - book. Says Fields, - You will not find the PDYM to be a cookie-cutter approach promoting do it my way because there's only one way. Rather, it's a model that can be adapted to fit the unique needs, personality, and circumstances of any church. Developing a Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry is a flexible and exhaustive approach to building a healthy, self-sustaining youth ministry based on nine components: Power of God - Purpose - Potential Audience - Programmes - Process - Planned Values -
Participating Leaders - Parents - Personnel.
Here in detail and depth is the theory behind effective youth ministry. And here is the application - the means for translating sound principles into practical action. From developing a purpose statement, to drafting a plan for spiritual growth, to the ins-and-outs of family involvement, to keeping the ministry focused, fresh, and vibrant, this volume meets virtually every concern of student leaders with up-to-date insights and seasoned, frontline advice.

Forged around the fundamental purposes of evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, and worship, Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry uses the experiences of Saddleback Church to illustrate what a healthy youth ministry can be. Nine transferable principles help you:

Connect with the power of God for passionate, committed leadership
Define the purpose of your ministry and communicate it effectively
Identify your potential audience
Create programmes that reach your audience and fulfil God's purposes Implement process that move students to maturity
Enhance your ministry with clearly defined values
Team up with parents to involve the whole family
Find volunteers and develop them into participating leaders
Persevere through tough times and thrive in an ever-changing environment.

Balancing both theory and practice, Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry can be applied to any church setting, regardless of size, denomination, facilities, resources and existing leadership. It will also help you develop a ministry that equips students rather than a ministry that co-ordinates events.