Rich Grassel, Help! I’m a Small Church Youth Worker: Achieving Big-Time Success in a Non-Mega Ministry. Zondervan/Youth Specialties, 2002.
Referenced in: Small Church Leadership
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
Grassel presents a realistic guide to youth ministry in churches of less than 150 members. In Part One, Grassel conveys clear (though at times overly critical) identification with issues such as the bane and blessing of faith traditions, the up-close diversity among teens in a small church, and the scarcity of financial resources, physical facilities, and current technology. In Part Two, he presents three main approaches or program models that a youth worker may adopt depending on the context: extended family/inclusive congregational, discipleship, and mentoring. He helps readers assess which one is best for their context, and what to do in cases where none fits. This is Grassel’s best contribution, though the suggestions at times require more skilled volunteers and group diversity and size than is typical in small churches (e.g. dividing into gender-specific interest groups of 6 or 8).
From the Publisher
Did you know that…
- If your church contains fewer than 150 participants, it’s considered a “small” church?
- Your “small” church is among 85 to 90 percent of all churches in America (about 300,000 churches out of 340,000)?
- “Large” churches (600 or more regular participants) comprise only 10 to 15 percent of American churches?
- There’s probably a nine in 10 chance that you, the reader of these words, are a small church youth worker?
- This book is exactly what you need?
Let’s face it: youth workers who toil in small churches have it tough. Despite the fact that statistically speaking, you’re part of an overwhelming majority, you’re often dismissed, ignored, and forgotten by our large church-loving youth ministry culture.
Have you noticed that …
- A lot of youth ministry resources are geared toward large church youth groups?
- A lot of youth ministry training is geared toward large church youth workers?
- It’s high time for some equal time?
That’s why this book was created. Help! I’m a Small Church Youth Worker! is a comprehensive, go-to manual for surviving and thriving in your unique context. It addresses tons of major issues particular to small church youth ministry and unpacks many crucial, related nuances that – if applied – will help lead you toward big-time success.
Author Rich Grassel, a noted authority on this subject, also guides you through the significance of ministry contexts and methods. And then he rolls out the stats, research and personal stories, adeptly covering special small-church issues such as the influence of faith traditions, families, budget limitations, diversity, and church location. He concludes by offering details on how to implement your own small church youth ministry model—no matter what your experience or situation.
Now don’t forget … this volume is perfect for nine of 10 youth workers reading these words. It’s also perfect for pastors of small churches and especially volunteers, as many small church youth workers don’t get a paycheck.
For the forgotten masses of small church youth workers out there, your time has come.
About the Author
Rich Grassel is Assistant Professor of Student Ministries at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA. With experience in student ministries for 16 years, Rich has worked in seven different denominations, in both large and small church contexts. He’s written for several magazines, including Youthworker Journal, and is a frequent speaker at Youth Specialties’ training events. Rich and his wife, Ruth, have two sons and reside in the Beaver Falls area.
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