Engaging Generation Z: Raising the Bar for Youth Ministry
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
A holistic approach to reaching Generation Z in your local church
To disciple the youth in student ministries today, we have to understand the unique characteristics of Generation Z, and apply lessons learned from recent decades of youth ministry. Pastor and professor Timothy McKnight brings a wealth of new insights, resources, and guidance for reaching today’s adolescents.
Following an overview of the beliefs, attitudes, and practices of Generation Z, McKnight provides youth pastors and volunteers with a complete plan for discipling adolescents through the local church. This includes practical advice on topics such as: Engaging parents in youth ministry Holistically guiding students in their beliefs, behavior, and affections Equipping adult leaders who can serve as role models Working with pastors, staff, and church leaders Helping parents develop rites of passage for their children as they move into adulthood Raising expectations for adolescents to encourage them to grow toward maturity Based on years of personal experience and practice, Engaging Generation Z provides everything youth ministers need to equip, grow, and encourage today’s generation of young people to follow Christ, and to take their student ministry to the next level.
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- Provides a complete plan for discipling adolescents through the local church
- Offers practical advice on topics such as engaging parents, equipping leaders, and working with church staff
- Equips youth ministers with everything they need to grow and encourage today’s generation of young people
- Foreword by Greg Stier
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction: Every Generation Must Be Taught Anew
- Part 1: Test Time: Does Youth Ministry Pass?
- 1. The World Has Changed, but the Gospel Has Not: Analyzing the Current Culture of Student Ministry
- 2. Meet Generation Z: The Next Great Generation
- 3. The Potency of Expectancy: Why We Can Be Optimistic
- 4. Truth or Consequences: Biblical Teaching Confronts Contemporary Practice
- 5. Entertaining Children or Assembling an Army?: Lessons from History
- 6. From the Parachurch to the Local Church: A Brief History of Youth Ministry
- Part 2: Reinventing Youth Ministry
- 7. Teaching the Youth Well: Building a Ministry on the Word
- 8. Habitual Love: Stirring the Affections of Youth
- 9. Get Real: Sharing Jesus Consistently
- 10. Life Is Worship: Recalibrating the Focus of Students
- 11. Advice to Parents: It’s Time to Grow Up
- 12. Meanwhile, Back at the Church: Staff Relations and Leading a Ministry
- 13. Rites of Passage: Seasons of Change
- Conclusion: Raise the Bar
I’ve been in student ministry since I was a student myself. After 35 years, I realized how much more there was to learn about Gen Z when it occurred to me that my two sons were part of it. Thank God for Tim McKnight! He has been more than a trusted friend to me. He’s become a voice in reaching Gen Z with the gospel. He is respected by his peers and those who lead teenagers (and those who influence them) as one of the foremost leaders in preparing youth pastors to disciple a generation that seems to be so distracted by screens and social media. But what Tim does in these pages is lay out a biblical framework for helping students see who Jesus is, understand the good news of his kingdom, and become true followers of Christ. This book is a gift to the church.
—Clayton King, Founder, Crossroads Summer Camps, Teaching Pastor, Newspring Church
I read Tim McKnight’s new book Engaging Generation Z: Raising the Bar for Youth Ministry from cover to cover with this question in mind: ‘Is there anything new under the sun to inspire kids to love God and impact their world?’ He more than answered my question. The ‘raised bar’ Tim champions is the ancient wisdom of caring parents, rites of passage, strong, Christ-centered families, passionate youth leaders that model servanthood, a lifestyle of evangelism, and Bible-centered discipleship. The great thing about this book is that Tim demonstrates how to make that happen. Read it thoughtfully and be prepared to change your parenting and grandparenting.
—Ron Boehme, Elder, Youth With A Mission, Professor of Leadership and Intercultural Studies, Faith International University
The vast majority of people who surrender to Jesus as Lord and Savior do it before the age of eighteen. Because of this truth, the youth ministry in every local church must be empowered and equipped to be the front lines of our evangelism and mobilization efforts. That’s why Engaging Generation Z, by Tim McKnight, is such an important and timely book. Let this resource help guide you in reaching Gen Z, because I truly believe they are the generation in which God could spark the next great spiritual awakening! Therefore, every pastor, next gen leader, parent, and student needs this book
—Shane Pruitt, National Next Gen Director, North American Mission Board (NAMB), Author of 9 Common Lies Christians Believe
- Title: Engaging Generation Z: Raising the Bar for Youth Ministry
- Author: Timothy McKnight
- Publisher: Kregel
- Print Publication Date: 2021
- Logos Release Date: 2025
- Pages: 200
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
- Subjects: Generation Z; Christian ministry › Youth
- ISBNs: 9780825445934, 0825445930
- Resource ID: LLS:NGGNGGNRTMNSTRY
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2025-09-07T00:01:33Z