The Godbearing Life, Revised Edition: The Art of Soul Tending for Youth Ministry

Kenda Creasy Dean · Ron Foster · Megan DeWald

Mar 2023 · Upper Room Books

About this ebook

A generation ago, The Godbearing Life charted a new course for youth ministry to fuel the faith both of young people and the adults who minister with them. It is founded on the truth that we are all Godbearers to one another, and therefore youth ministry is more about people than programs. Youth ministry is ministry that invites young people into deep soul work and spiritual friendships.

Like the original, The Godbearing Life, Revised Edition is conversationally written, grounded in scripture, and grows out of all three authors' own pastoral experience. The update addresses the profound shifts in society and ministry over the past twenty-five years—from the interconnection of technology to the professionalization of youth ministry. This book reimagines the means of Godbearing youth ministry in a post-pandemic digital age in the twenty-first century while holding on to the fact that young people are continuously transformed by the message.

The Godbearing Life, Revised Edition offers a new generation of church leaders the same depth of spiritual wisdom that shifted the ground for youth workers two decades ago. The basic message is this: young people need adults who practice faith alongside them.

About the author

Kenda Creasy Dean, an ordained United Methodist pastor in the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference, is the Mary D. Synnott Professor of Youth, Church, and Culture at Princeton Theological Seminary. In addition to teaching in practical theology, education, and formation (specifically youth and young adult ministry, the church as social innovator, and theories of teaching), Kenda works closely with Princeton’s Institute for Youth Ministry and the Farminary. She also serves as the coordinating pastor of Kingston United Methodist Church.

Ron Foster is lead pastor of Severna Park United Methodist Church, Severna Park, Maryland, and is an adjunct faculty member at Wesley Theological Seminary. He is passionate about finding creative ways to make faith real and engaging for people of all ages. Ron enjoys hanging out with youth, talking with children, teaching adults, and engaging in hands-on mission alongside others.

Megan DeWald (she/her) is the associate director of the Institute for Youth Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary, where she facilitates training and designs resources for people in youth ministry. She is the creator and host of the IYM’s podcast, Disrupting Ministry, which shares stories of faith communities that are developing innovative forms of ministry with young people.