How many programs does it take to change a youth group? That question has bothered youth workers for decades, and the cracks in its logic are beginning to show. In place of the contrived, artificial mechanisms employed so widely in modern youth outreach and discipleship, Mike King proposes a ministry centered in the presence of God. Young people encounter Christ not in the flash and pop of arena ministry, but in the sacred shadow of his presence. They learn what it is to love and follow Christ by observing others loving and following Christ--letting Christ shape their worldviews, their habits, their virtues. Presence-Centered Youth Ministry gives shape to such ministry through the classic disciplines and potent symbols and practices that have sustained the church over the centuries. The sound and fury that has characterized youth ministry for so long has left too many youth workers tired and too many young people disillusioned. Come explore the deeper terrain; your students are sure to follow.

"The time has come to reimagine how we picture and practice sharing the good news about Jesus. The time has come because the old pictures and practices aren't wearing well and aren't working well. People in our culture aren't responding. And people in the church aren't excited or engaged. . . . The time has come because our culture is shifting." (Rick Richardson, Reimagining Evangelism) Sometimes talking about Jesus with friends can feel like trying to close a deal on a sales call, pushing something on people they may not really want. But what if we thought of it more like inviting friends on a spiritual journey? The Reimagining Evangelism Participant's Guide, in conjunction with the Reimagining Evangelism DVD and Rick Richardson's book Reimagining Evangelism, will help you to reframe evangelism as inviting friends on a journey toward meeting and following Christ. The seven one-hour sessions found in this Participant's Guide are 1. Do What You Love 2. Use Your Gifts 3. Ask Good Questions 4. Respond to Tough Questions 5. Share Your Story 6. Communicate the Good News 7. Invite Response Each session incorporates animated short or live-action video, an introductory discussion of the session's topic, a Bible study, a teaching video and interactive learning. If you are looking for a fresh way to share your faith, you will find the Reimagining Evangelism curriculum a freeing and insightful guide to evangelism in our rapidly changing culture.

"The finest statement of the Christian message I have read!" -Dr. Barry Bailey, retired pastor of one of America's largest United Methodist churches (First UMC, Ft. Worth)

"An exceptional challenge by a devoted Christian scholar!" -Dr. Robert Richardson, retired executive, Mercer University, Macon, Georgia

There are truths and falsehoods, treasures and trash, in what we call the Holy Bible and "Christianity." Separating those elements is not always easy. Through the centuries, our churches have added a multitude of beliefs and practices to the life and religion of Jesus of Nazareth. Some of those beliefs and practices are appropriate expressions of Jesus' mind and spirit. Others are far from, even caricatures of, what Jesus would want. For eighty years I have learned and taught about "Christianity," at personal, community, church, college, university, state, national, and international levels. I have learned that there are many "Christianities," some loving, some hateful, some intelligent, some stupid, some healing, some hurtful. If we are going to live our Christianity-in our small and big worlds-may God help us get it "right! "