Models and Methods for Youth and Young Adult Ministry

“Arthur Canales situates youth and young adult ministry squarely within the world of practical and pastoral theology, wherein the experience on the ground is intrinsic to naming the theological hope of the ministry. By suggesting models, naming the theological objectives and pastoral outcomes of each, Canales encourages a serious consideration among scholars and practitioners to recognize that the how and the what of ministry are clearly connected to the why.”


—Theresa O’Keefe, Associate Professor, Boston College





“Canales writes lucidly, thinks deeply, and provides vision after vision for changing the way we think about youth and young adult ministry. You might not agree with everything he says, but almost everything he says will make you think.” 


—Andrew Root, Associate Professor, Luther Seminary





“In Models and Methods for Youth Ministry and Young Adult Ministry, Arthur D. Canales has provided a helpful resource for contemporary youth and young adult ministry in a variety of faith contexts. While writing from a Roman Catholic, but ecumenical perspective, this book provides several ways of considering youth and young adult ministry in a parish setting.”


—Chap Clark, Professor, Fuller Theological Seminary





“A deeply irenic and practical book grounded in theology and best practices for ministry. This is a great survey of the major models and methods that will continue to shape work with adolescents and young adults. Those that hear, heed and integrate these models will find a deep reservoir to draw pastoral care and pedagogical insights for transformative work with young people.”


—Mike Severe, Associate Professor, Taylor University





“This book is a thoughtfully constructed offering to all of us who are invested in seeing adolescents well formed as followers of Jesus Christ. It’s a fresh resource that will enhance my own efforts to develop the leadership potential in others. With exemplary humility and zeal for Christian unity, Art Canales led me to enrich my perspective about youth ministry practice by exploring four different models.”


—Dave Rahn, Senior Ministry Advisor, Youth for Christ 





“I wholeheartedly endorse the book Models and Methods for Youth and Young Adult Ministry for several reasons. As a youth pastor for over 20 years, I have seen paradigm shifts occurring in the field of youth and young adult ministry and had been looking for a resource that articulated what was happening . . . This book is a must have youth ministers in the field, educators in youth ministry and any pastoral agent in churches that is trying to incorporate a Twenty-First-Century model into their current programs.”


—Ricardo Gonzalez, Youth Minister, St. Edward Catholic Church





“Arthur Canales has a deep passion for re-visioning the way we value and minister to young people in our world. His book carefully examines the current major modes of youth and young adult ministry and offers theologically grounded insights for shepherding and equipping Christian youth workers.”


—Brenda Snailum, President of the Association of Youth Ministry Educators





“This book will provide today’s youth and young adult ministers with the high challenge of thinking through, not only their methodologies, but the theological thinking underlying their ministry. Any eager reader will profit from this book, but it will prove even more valuable when discussed in group or class situations.”


—Dean Borgman, Professor, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary





“In an era that situates youth and adolescents as a side act in many regards—worth only the branding and marketing value they present—Art Canales calls those of us who work with this population to better understand and act on the theoretical frameworks, models, and theologies that drive youth ministry. Canales has given us a great volume in order to better serve the Church and young people within this post-civil rights era.”


—Daniel White Hodge, Associate Professor, North Park University of Chicago





“Canales’ book is exquisite for many reasons, but especially because of the writer’s open ecumenical attitude and understanding of the different orientations inside the field of Christian youth work. Thus, this book is useful for people from every Christian denomination, and even for people from other world religious traditions or non-religious, if they are interested in learning to understand the positive possibilities, which lie in work with adolescents.”


—Jouko Porkka, Lecturer and Researcher, Diaconia University