Illusions of Postmodern Youth Ministry
David A. White

What does it mean to do youth ministry in a postmodern context? Numerous books and articles are being written and training events designed to orient practitioners to this postmodern sea change. However, the significance of postmodernity lies not only in understanding its philosophical heritage, but also in understanding its material conditions. This article provides a brief primer to the fundamental economic shifts whose influences have trickled down, changing not only the normative position from which we view the world, but also our capacities to perceive and act upon the world.

If youth ministry is concerned with forming youth as disciples of Christ, as agents in partnership with God in God's Kingdom, then youth ministry cannot afford to reduce the significance of postmodernity to merely how we do worship or use media. Youth ministry must also be concerned with resisting influences of postmodernity that shape young people for example as passive consumers.

The Influence Of The Juvenille Temperance Movement
On The Formation Of Youth Ministry
Mark H. Senter III

Despite its prominence in the 19^th century, the juvenile temperance movement has received little attention for its role as a precursor to modern youth ministry. Numerous similarities can be observed between the juvenile temperance societies and later church youth societies like Christian Endeavor. Juvenile temperance societies especially bequeathed to subsequent youth ministries an emphasis on prevention of vice through individual pledges of abstinence and a willingness to use popular culture to communicate with young people.

The Role Of Community Service In The
Faith Development Of Adolescents
Michael E. Sherr, Diana R. Garland, and Terry A. Wolfer

This study examined how community service is related to the faith maturity and faith practices of adolescents in congregations. The findings suggest that those who want to help young people develop a rigorous, meaningful faith life should consider ways to involve them in ongoing community service. This service should be combined with opportunities for reflection on the connection between their service, religious teachings, and other faith practices.

What Are We Doing With The Faith Development Of Adolescents In Service Projects?
A Respose To Sherr, Garland, And Wolfer
Jim Dekker

Dekker responds to The Role of Community Service in the Faith Development of Adolescents by Sherr, Garland, and Wolfer from the perspective of practical theology, challenging youth leaders to further understand the intentions of service ministries and embrace the significant faith formation power that service can provide.

Ostensibly Welcome: The Youth Ministry Experiences
Of Families Of Teenagers With Disabilities
Amy E. Jacober

Youth ministers do not openly oppose the inclusion of teenagers with disabilities in their ministries, but their actions or lack of action can communicate low commitment to this goal. As an initial step in understanding and changing the experiences of teens with disabilities in the church, this project sought out and listened to the voices of parents of teenagers with disabilities. Interview subjects reported strong desires to be heard, for their child to be included in church ministries, for help with the stress in their family, and for their child to have a friend. Initial suggestions for youth ministers are offered based on the themes that arose in the interviews. The church may not be asking the correct strategic questions when considering the many critical issues.