steve griffiths of ytc press dropped us a line…

I want to let you know about the latest book published by YTC Press, available for £8.95 from www.ytcpress.com.

Actually, it is a book that I have written, entitled ‘A Christlike Ministry’. In this work, I develop models of ministry from the life of Jesus based on the key events in his life: incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension and second coming. There is also some consideration of the Kingdom of God in relation to youth ministry. I make a fairly strong critique of existing ideas about Incarnational Youth Ministry and attempt to push back the boundaries of christological models for ministry in a way that, I believe, has not been done before.

Rather than me tell you about the book in my own words, I quote below what has been written on the back cover:

“Much has been written about Incarnational Ministry - especially in the world of youth work. Out of this has grown an approach that has been profoundly relational � but little more than that. Youth workers are encouraged to spend time with young people, as Jesus spent time with people; to ‘hang out’ with youth as Jesus hung out with his disciples. Furthermore, the kerygmatic imperative has become replaced with the methodology of ‘earning the right’ to share the Gospel after a period of time has passed. However, maybe this has become little more than an excuse for theological and ministerial laziness!

“Contrary to popular opinion, the truth is that Jesus did not ‘hang out’ with people. He did not wait to ‘earn the right’ before embarking on the kerygmatic imperative. The opposite is true. His ministry, lasting only three years, was spent wandering the countryside, towns and cities of Israel, never staying in one place long enough to build relationships with those he met. Jesus had a ‘hit and run’ ministry. He went into a particular region, taught, healed the sick and then, within a matter of hours or days, moved on elsewhere.

“The contention of Dr Steve Griffiths, then, is that the popular model of Incarnational Ministry does not mirror the ministry of Jesus. Christology needs to be re-framed for 21st-century youth ministry.

“Griffiths suggests a radically creative re-framing, based on the key events of Jesus’ life: incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension and second coming. This radical approach liberates youth workers to become more effective in their ministry. Developing a notion of Jesus’ ministry operating in kairos-time rather than chronos-time, he explains how every moment can be seized, how every encounter can be packed with a taste of eternity.

“Griffiths explores the notion that a successful youth ministry is not dependent on programs or strategies. Instead, it is fundamentally dependent on a strong personal spirituality. Jesus was only ever able to seize the moment because he spent so much time in prayer and in the presence of his Father. The same is true for those involved in youth ministry. The hard work is not taken up in face-to-face contact with young people. The hard work is taken up in the small, quiet hours of daily prayer and Bible study. Quite simply, we are only ever able to embark effectively on a kairos ministry if we first prepare our hearts in the presence of our Father.

“The life and ministry of Jesus gives us many more riches to consider and draw on than a simplistic, Incarnational model. It is this agenda that A Christlike Ministry seeks to address.”

I hope that this book will be of interest to you and will strengthen your own ministry.

Please go to www.ytcpress.com and order from there, using either PayPal or Credit Card. As with all YTC Press books, it should then be delivered to you within 10 working days of placing the order.

steve griffiths of ytc press dropped us a line…

I want to let you know about the latest book published by YTC Press, available for £8.95 from www.ytcpress.com.

Actually, it is a book that I have written, entitled ‘A Christlike Ministry’. In this work, I develop models of ministry from the life of Jesus based on the key events in his life: incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension and second coming. There is also some consideration of the Kingdom of God in relation to youth ministry. I make a fairly strong critique of existing ideas about Incarnational Youth Ministry and attempt to push back the boundaries of christological models for ministry in a way that, I believe, has not been done before.

Rather than me tell you about the book in my own words, I quote below what has been written on the back cover:

“Much has been written about Incarnational Ministry - especially in the world of youth work. Out of this has grown an approach that has been profoundly relational � but little more than that. Youth workers are encouraged to spend time with young people, as Jesus spent time with people; to ‘hang out’ with youth as Jesus hung out with his disciples. Furthermore, the kerygmatic imperative has become replaced with the methodology of ‘earning the right’ to share the Gospel after a period of time has passed. However, maybe this has become little more than an excuse for theological and ministerial laziness!

“Contrary to popular opinion, the truth is that Jesus did not ‘hang out’ with people. He did not wait to ‘earn the right’ before embarking on the kerygmatic imperative. The opposite is true. His ministry, lasting only three years, was spent wandering the countryside, towns and cities of Israel, never staying in one place long enough to build relationships with those he met. Jesus had a ‘hit and run’ ministry. He went into a particular region, taught, healed the sick and then, within a matter of hours or days, moved on elsewhere.

“The contention of Dr Steve Griffiths, then, is that the popular model of Incarnational Ministry does not mirror the ministry of Jesus. Christology needs to be re-framed for 21st-century youth ministry.

“Griffiths suggests a radically creative re-framing, based on the key events of Jesus’ life: incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension and second coming. This radical approach liberates youth workers to become more effective in their ministry. Developing a notion of Jesus’ ministry operating in kairos-time rather than chronos-time, he explains how every moment can be seized, how every encounter can be packed with a taste of eternity.

“Griffiths explores the notion that a successful youth ministry is not dependent on programs or strategies. Instead, it is fundamentally dependent on a strong personal spirituality. Jesus was only ever able to seize the moment because he spent so much time in prayer and in the presence of his Father. The same is true for those involved in youth ministry. The hard work is not taken up in face-to-face contact with young people. The hard work is taken up in the small, quiet hours of daily prayer and Bible study. Quite simply, we are only ever able to embark effectively on a kairos ministry if we first prepare our hearts in the presence of our Father.

“The life and ministry of Jesus gives us many more riches to consider and draw on than a simplistic, Incarnational model. It is this agenda that A Christlike Ministry seeks to address.”

I hope that this book will be of interest to you and will strengthen your own ministry.

Please go to www.ytcpress.com and order from there, using either PayPal or Credit Card. As with all YTC Press books, it should then be delivered to you within 10 working days of placing the order.