Book Description
The sequel to the first bestseller, Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry, this book addresses twelve valuable steps that will help readers take the first steps as they begin their ministry. An invaluable resource for anyone in youth ministry and ideal for first-timers, veterans, or college students in youth ministry.


From the Back Cover
Since forever altering the course of the youth ministry world with his best-selling, groundbreaking book, Purpose-Driven® Youth Ministry, Doug Fields’ mind—but especially his heart—has been focused on the many unique needs of new youth workers. Doug translated his passion, insight, and vision for his beloved "rookies" into what you’re now reading, Your Fist Two Years in Youth Ministry—hands-down the most comprehensive companion to not only surviving, but also thriving, during the most crucial phase of youth ministry. Employing his renowned wisdom and humor—as if you and Doug were chatting over a long, relaxing meal—the author disarmingly relates stories and principles from his own successes and failures over 20-plus years in youth ministry. In the end, he offers treasure troves of practical advice, all in the hope that new youth workers can travel a smoother path and achieve real longevity in a church culture that all too often chews them and spits them out. Doug covers all-important issues such as: · Dealing with discouragement · Establishing a solid spiritual foundation · Building effective relationships with students · Resolving conflict · Ministering to parents and families · Trailblazing change · Working with volunteers · Defining a realistic job description · And many others! In addition, a chorus of insightful sidebar voices joins your conversation with Doug, among them ministry veterans Jim Burns, Steve Gerali, Mike Yaconelli, Helen Musick, Chap Clark, Marv Penner, Rick Warren, Jana L. Sundene, Bo Boshers, Duffy Robbins, Tony Campolo, and Richard Ross, all who’ve composed extensive, topical essays for each of the dozen chapters. Your First Two Years of Youth Ministry is a must-have tool for new youth workers, volunteers, seminary professors and students, senior pastors, elders, church boards—even veteran youth workers who’ve been ministering in unstructured environments and are now asking, "What did I miss? What can I still learn?" The first two years of youth ministry are never easy. But never fear. Doug fervently assures us: "Hang on. Hope’s coming!"


About the Author
Doug Fields has been in youth ministry for more than two decades and has authored more than 30 books, including Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry and Videos That Teach. With an M.Div. From Fuller Theological Seminary, Doug is youth pastor at Saddleback Church, president of SimplyYouthMinistry.com, and a frequent presenter at Youth Specialties' events.


Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
where do i start?
committing to the essentials
In 1979 I was a rookie youth worker with no idea what I was doing. I took teenagers to R-rated movies; I had a Jacuzzi party in the baptismal because a 12-year-old thought it would be fun; I yelled at a group of parents; I taught a 15-year-old to drive using the church van, and I almost got arrested for having underage students in an over-21 club. Thankfully, a lot has changed, but its been an eventful ride ever since.
As I write this, Im still working with students in the church, and I love to talk about youth ministry, especially with new youth workers! Every day that I worked on this book, I thought and prayed especially for you. If you're just starting out, you're my favorite type of youth worker to help! (If youve been in the trenches for a fewor manyyears, I love you too, and Im confident you ll find help and encouragement in these pages.) Im thrilled to play a role in your youth ministry journey. Whether youre a paid staff member or a volunteer, the principles and ideas in this book are written to help you survive and thrive as you work with teenagers.
Youth Ministry as a Marathon
One of my life goals (that I havent accomplished yet) is to run a marathon. Ive run several shorter races, but the 26.2 mile monster has eluded me so far. I watch them on TV, eagerly antici-pating the day I finish a marathon.
Have you ever watched a marathon? Theyre inspiring. When I look into the eyes of the runners, I see two types of expressions. Standing behind the starting line, the seasoned marathoners are focused, mentally preparing for the task before them. They know what it takes to complete a race of this caliber, so they stretch to prepare their bodies, run in place to warm their muscles, and close their eyes to visualize the races hills and mile markers. The vets know whats ahead. This isn't a party; its abuse. And since they have to endure pain over the next several hours, the task is to run efficiently. Their bodies have even instructed their faces not to smile or to express any form of joy. Veteran runners know what they're doing.
The other runners are rookies. This is a fun group to watch. They typically stick together, taking in all the action from the free race T-shirts to the vendors selling running gear to the maps locating the portable toilets on the route. The rookies are excited, feeling good, smiling, bantering with others, enjoying the pre-race hype. Little do they know that their valuable adrenaline is being wasted long before the one-mile mark. Their actions are to be expected; after all, this is an exciting time, but its also deceptive.
How so?
Watch the race from an elevated viewpoint. At the start, a mass of humanity moves forward as one group, bunched closely together, seemingly inseparable, until the second or third mile when the crowd begins to thin. By mile 10, some have decided to walk and are tempted to stop and watch a matinee. By mile 15, many are eating lunch early. After mile 20, only those who are the most prepared have a realistic chance of finishing well. Finishing is not only a matter of the body, but the emotions and the mind.
Running a marathon is a fitting picture of youth ministry. Its not an easy task within the church. If it were, wed have more youth workers than ushers. Youth ministry is filled with long, tiring, often unrewarding, complex, unique, intense, humorous, joy-filled, and painful experiences. Many within the body of Christ have entered the youth ministry marathon, but many quit before long, having lost joy and satisfaction. They're wounded and weary.
The Race before Us
I desperately want you to last in your ministry to students. Longevity in our field is uncommon. This is both unfortunate for the individuals who leave and tragic for the health of the church. The longer you work in youth ministry, the easier it becomes, and the better you minister to students. Quick departures have a lot to do with inadequate preparation and unrealistic expectations. But, like running, setting the proper pace assures long-term results and your ability to finish strong.
As I wrote this book, I kept two verses taped to my computer that served as the foundation for my writing. I want to share them with you.
And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. (Hebrews 12:1)
Youth ministrylike the Christian lifeis a race that requires both training and endurance. Fortunately, our endurance and strength increase as we run the race and follow the course God has set out for us. Our success in the youth ministry race has a lot to do with developing a big-picture perspective. Check out the second verse:
Because of you I will weep and wail; I will go about barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal and moan like an owl. (Micah 1:8)
Oh waitthats not the right verse. Here it is:
But I will not do this all in one year because the land would become a wilderness, and the wild animals would become too many to control. I will drive them out a little at a time until your population has increased enough to fill the land. (Exodus 23:29-30)
The wild animal reference shouldnt be viewed as synonymous with the students in your group, but this verse accurately portrays a youth workers world. The Exodus passage describes Gods plan for the gradual conquest of Canaan. God didnt want to overwhelm Israel by giving them the Promised Land in one day. Besides, knowing Israel wasnt completely prepared, God put together a journey that allowed them to develop their faith and confidence as they learned to depend on him. I cant believe I just admitted that I watch marathons on TV!

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Since forever altering the course of the youth ministry world with his best-selling, groundbreaking book, Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry, Doug Fields' mind -- but especially his heart -- has been focused on the many unique needs of new youth workers. Doug translated his passion, insight, and vision for his beloved "rookies" into what you're now reading, Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry -- hands-down the most comprehensive companion to not only surviving, but also thriving, during the most crucial phase of youth ministry. Employing his renowned wisdom and humor -- as if you and Doug were chatting over a long, relaxing meal -- the author disarmingly relates stories and principles from his own successes and failures over 20-plus years in youth ministry. In the end, he offers treasure troves of practical advice, all in the hope that new youth workers can travel a smoother path and achieve real longevity in a church culture that all too often chews them up and spits them out.