Thursday, September 24, 2026
Growth · Health · ConnectionResearch & PracticeFor those who shepherd

Scholarship for the study. Tools for Sunday.

Desk IV

Youth Pastors

For youth pastors, student ministry volunteers, and next-generation leaders. Discipleship that sticks past graduation, parent partnership, safety, and teaching teenagers well.

Two adults in conversation across a tableGrowth
Next Generation

Parent Partnership: The Meeting Every Youth Pastor Should Hold

You get a student for an hour or two a week. Their parents get the rest. Here is how to run the one meeting that turns parents from spectators into partners.

Pastor Andre Mitchell · 7 min
Coming to this desk
  • Screening and Safety Policies That Protect Students and Leaders
  • Small Group Curriculum That Teenagers Do Not Roll Their Eyes At

The Youth Pastors shelf

Books our editors recommend for this desk.

Growing Young by Kara Powell, Jake Mulder, Brad Griffin

Growing Young

What churches that keep young people have in commonView on Amazon
Sticky Faith, Youth Worker Edition by Kara Powell, Brad Griffin & Cheryl Crawford

Sticky Faith, Youth Worker Edition

Helping faith last past graduationView on Amazon
Think Orange by Reggie Joiner

Think Orange

Partnering church and home for the long runView on Amazon
Faith Formation in a Secular Age by Andrew Root

Faith Formation in a Secular Age

Why the old youth ministry playbook stopped workingView on Amazon
Meet Generation Z by James Emery White

Meet Generation Z

Understanding and reaching the first post-Christian generationView on Amazon

See the full Leader's Shelf

As an Amazon Associate, Church Leader Today earns from qualifying purchases. It never changes what we recommend.

The Monday Brief for church leaders

One research insight, one practical move, and one free tool. Written for your role, in your inbox before staff meeting.