Adoptive Church
- Church Leadership & Ministry
- Publisher: Baker Academic (Baker Publishing Group)
- Published: 2018
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Publisher's Description
Outreach 2019 Recommended Resource of the Year (Youth and Children)Teens and emerging adults don't feel at home in the church because they are not fully included in the church body. How can congregations nurture young adults, welcome them as siblings into God's household, and empower them to become fully embedded contributors within and to their faith community? Integrating the latest research on adolescent faith and young adult ministry for the local church, this book presents a new way of thinking about youth ministry. Chap Clark offers today's youth leaders highly practical principles based on his extensive experience, showing how they can implement a sustainable youth ministry program in their local church. He presents the adoptive youth ministry model as a way to help congregations see youth ministry as a bridge to inclusion, participation, and contribution in the body of Christ. Clark's comprehensive plan for designing and implementing youth ministry shows churches how to intentionally welcome young people and create an environment where they belong.
Endorsements (5)
“Clark puts into words and theory what every experienced youth ministry leader knows intuitively! Adoptive Church lays out both a vision and a strategy for fully integrating young people into faith communities. It describes a larger context for youth ministry and provides a new guide for pastoral ministry not only with young people but also with the entire faith community.”
“The phrase ‘a must-read for church leaders’ is often used to promote a book. Honestly, when I read such words, they come across as presumptuous and leave me questioning the authority of the author. Well, Adoptive Church is a must-read for church leaders desiring to engage today’s adolescent community in ministry. It is essential reading for both youth workers and senior church leaders. Clark has been a mentor and friend of mine for many years. His authority to speak into the life of the church comes from a lifetime of study, engagement, and ministry in the trenches. Adoptive Church will challenge, guide, and empower churches serious about ministering to today’s adolescent culture.”
“This beautifully challenging book results from Clark’s long experience of reflecting upon, analyzing, and serving the church. In Adoptive Church, Clark offers a metaphor, theology, vision, and trajectory—a practical, intentional way that leads to being a nurturing and empowering household of God. This is deep ecclesiology. It is a way of being church, a church for which many are longing. Chap helps us step back and examine our theology and our intentions, allowing us to refocus on being church—for youth, for ministers, for everyone.”
Fr. Reynold Furrell
“It is fitting that Clark publishes Adoptive Church as he transitions into a ministerial role that will permit him to practice the tenets of this book. For many decades Clark has empowered the church to live out its God-given vocation to love young people. His efforts have challenged and empowered generations of youth ministry educators and practitioners. Adoptive Church does not disappoint. Insightful, confessional, and pastoral, Clark’s latest work—rooted in years of practical experience, research, and thoughtful analysis—will bless churches for years to come.”
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