The Godbearing Life: The Art of Soul Tending for Youth Ministry

Specifically designed to nurture the spiritual life of the youth leader, The Godbearing Life is a lively spiritual primer and practical guide for those who pastor young people. With soul-searing honesty, Dean and Foster rechart a course for youth ministry through the classical spiritual disciplines of the church. The book identifies families, congregations, and mentor relationships as the "holy ground" where young people are most likely to encounter God. They offer an approach to youth ministry that is built on spiritual practices like a circle of friends and developing a rhythm of life. Built on a keen awareness of the needs of youth, this book offers a new paradigm for youth ministry, which is not activity-based but is based on a model of spiritual care for youth. Questions and exercises for personal reflection, educational use, and spiritual growth make this book a valuable resource that can revitalize those in a "burnout" profession. It is useful for individual reading and also for discussion by ministry teams.