Welcome to Rooted’s Top Ten, a curated reading list for youth ministers. Each month we find ten articles, and sometimes videos or podcasts, from various sources that we believe will encourage you in your ministry to teenagers and their families. Some give explicit instruction on gospel-centered ministry, while others are included because there is a message of common grace that is helpful to youth workers. (The opinions presented in these articles do not necessarily reflect the position of Rooted.) For more articles to share with the parents in your ministry, make sure to check out our Parent Top Ten, which runs every-other month.
If you find an article that could speak to the Rooted community, please email the editor at chelsea@rootedministry.com.
Gospel-Centered Ministry
Redeeming Discipline: How Grace Reforms Our Effort by Scott Hubbard (Desiring God)
With Paul, disciplined Christians do not run on the strength of self-resolve; they know and fear the manufactured power of the flesh. But they also take seriously those four familiar, radical words: “God works in you.“
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, April Witkowski & the Myth of the Wasted Ministry by Peter Witkoski (Witkowski’s Blog)
Our lives today will not be defined by our dreams, hopes, or expectations of what is to come (of what may never come) but will be defined by our faithful execution of the life and ministry God has given us in this moment.
Partnering with Parents
How to Make the Most of the Parental Settings on Your Child’s Phone by Andrew Noble (TGC Canada)
In what follows, I’ve created levels of Smartphone access and oversight, why you might consider each level, and how to set each up.
What to Do When Your Child Is Addicted to Video Games by Melanie Hempe (TGC)
The solution isn’t about taking away our kids’ fun but giving back their deeper joy in real-life engagement. God created a world for them to explore and adventures for them to have in real life. Let’s point them in his direction.
Youth Culture
‘I Am Jesus Christ’ Invites Gamers to Play God by Adam Mcmannis (Christianity Today)
Some exposure to Jesus– even a video game Jesus– is probably better than nothing. But Towns worries that the deviation from Scripture, needed to make the game a game, could end up twisting Jesus into something that he wasn’t.
What Teens Love: A Helpful Infographic by Walt Mueller (CPYU)
Here’s an infographic that we hope will not only help you understand the bents and allegiances of kids today, but that we hope will help spark conversations with kids about what matters most in life.
Ministry Skills
Youth Pastors Ditch Gross-Out Games and Help Student Ministry Grow Up by Ericka Andersen (Christianity Today)
Youth ministers and researchers agree that partnering with parents, bringing in a diverse group of mentors, and communicating with college connections in the immediate aftermath of high school are key to helping teenagers continue walking a path of faith.
Intentional Presence at Graduation and in the Summer by Alex Tufano (Youth Pastor Theologian)
As we show up this summer, may we be faithful youth pastors who embody intentional presence that’s an overflow of our abiding in Jesus.
Rooted’s Two Most-Read of April
Showing Hospitality to the Teenager Identifying as LGBTQ by Mark Coulton
May our youth ministries be brave places where all students belong, where grace and truth exist in equal measure, and where the good news of Jesus rescues students wrestling with sexuality and gender just as he has rescued us.
From Doubting Thomas to Believing Thomas: How to Help Our Teenagers Deal With Doubts and Questions by Matt Brown
Teenagers need to be able to ask questions and search for answers, especially in church.
In Case You Missed It (Rooted’s April Honorable Mention)
Discipling Teenagers to be Salt and Light by Logan Murphy
As those who belong to him, he calls us and our teenagers to shine the light of his gospel in the darkness of the world.
