OMG : a youth ministry handbook / Kenda Creasy Dean, editor ; with Roland Martinson ... [et al.].

I. Oh my God: an introduction
Haunting questions
You are not alone
Telling the truth: we do this for joy
The trouble with research
Does youth ministry matter?
Do our practices of youth ministry reflect Christ?
Does our practice of youth ministry shape Christians?
How long can we keep this up?
Can we do better?

II. Daunting challenges
Spying on Canaan
The challenges of a changing lifestage
Expanding adolescence?
Ending adolescence?
The challenges of a changing context
A new sense of place: the challenge of getting grounded
A new sense of time: the challenge of changing tempo
A new sense of stuff: the challenge of living generously
A new sense of self: the challenge of branding
A new sense of story: the challenge of telling the truth
Challenges ahead: serving Christ in a post-Christendom church
Learning to be church (again)

III. Enduring themes
Some things last: Christ's call to discipleship
Thumb-lines in youth ministry
Belonging: including young people in the community of faith
Accompaniment: joining young people on the journey of faith
Participating in means of grace: strengthening young people for the life of faith
The sign potential of community
The sign potential of imagination
The sign potential of adolescence
"Being in time"

IV. Promising possibilities
The madness of ministry with young people
The theological "turn" in youth ministry
Dick and Jane go to church: the hunger for a worthy adventure
The missional church: following Jesus into the world: 1. Vocation and mission; 2. Through the roof and through the window
Redefining community: from connections to communion: 1. New ways to belong; 2. Communion, not connections
Sacred practices: aiming for embodied faith: 1. Practicing the presence of God; 2. A curriculum of sacred practices; 3. The importance of parents
Beyond training events: new possibilities for forming leaders
Incarnational leadership formation is communal
Incarnational leadership formation is repeated and ongoing
Incarnational leadership formation is situated
Incarnational leadership formation is Spirit-led
Streams in the wasteland

V. Emerging competencies
Setting the believers an example (or not)
Leading with integrity: still learning
Searching the Scriptures: expecting transformation in Bible study
Inviting wholeness: identity and integrity in teaching
Stilling the soul: the practice of presence
Soul doctors: nurturing hope amidst suffering
Spectators no more: creating church versus consuming it
Choosing life: discerning vocation with young people
Benedict of Nursia, youth guy

VI. A maturing discipline
Youth ministry comes of age (maybe)
Field or discipline
Specialists or generalists
The risks of intellectual maturity
Pastoral imagination: job #1 for preparing youth ministers
Practical theology: the parent discipline of youth ministry
Discipling a discipline
Report card for an emerging discipline
A common mission: theological education and reform
A common language: a conundrum
A cadre of professionals: a significant presence
Academic programs: proliferating
Academic research: a hopeful sign
Distinctive pedagogies: still evolving
Growing pains in a growing field.