Tag Archives: joel mayward

books, youth ministry, youth work

A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Sex & Dating (and the Parent’s Guide 5-Pack Set)

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first things first: i’ve been a really lousy blogger of late. these last few weeks have just been a blur, really. all filled with really wonderful stuff (including some days in detroit with my extended family, a sort-of partial vacation). but i haven’t been able to get “write blog post” up on the to-do list above items that were more pressing. and there’s nothing good about blogging out of obligation. plus, i always remind myself that approximately 4/5 of my blog readers don’t actually come to the blog to read stuff: most of you use a blog reader or subscribe via email. and those who DO come to the blog usually do so because they’re following a link on facebook. so, to you small handful who have typed in w-h-y-i-s-m-a-r-k-o-.-c-o-m into your browser, only to see the same ol’ posts that were previously there, i apologize. and: it’s unlikely to get much better in the next week or so!

ok, but!

parents guide, sex and datingi had a new book release last week! and i have to tell you about that!

when i was working on developing the “A Parent’s Guide” series for Simply Youth Ministry, we started with about 15 possible book topics, and narrowed it to 10. as part of the approval process with Group (as is true for all publishers), sales has to speak into the viability of a proposal; and Group’s sales peeps wisely suggested we start with 5 books in the series, rather than 10. narrowing the list to 5, i instantly knew who i wanted to work with on the co-authoring of A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Teenage Girls (that would be brooklyn lindsey), and on Teenage Guys (that would be brock morgan). the Social Media one was a complete no-brainer (duh, Adam McLane). and i knew i was just going to punch out the Teenage Brains book on my own. But A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Sex & Dating initially had me a bit stumped, both on the final title (i know this title could sound like it’s a sex guide for parents! but all other “more clear” variations were just making the title too long, or sounded creepy) and on who i might ask to co-author it with me.

joel mayward is a graduate of my Youth Ministry Coaching Program. i’d been working with him on developing the idea, and then the manuscript for his book Leading Up (a FANTASTIC book, btw). i knew joel to be a fantastic youth worker, an uncommonly deep and clear and curious thinker, and a really wonderful and skilled writer. so i asked him if he had any interest in helping me write to parents about this subject. surprised to be asked, he was stoked about it.

really, i love this book. it’s a short and easy-to-read overview of what’s most important for parents of teenagers to understand when i comes to both understanding their teenager’s sexuality and in how to talk about it. it’s theologically grounded (probably more so than any of the other books in the series), and surprisingly deep, considering the length and style.

here’s the back cover copy:

Helping your child make wise choices about sex and dating requires more than just one chat. It’s about building bridges of ongoing dialogue throughout the teenage years.

But youth workers Mark Oestreicher and Joel Mayward realize many parents don’t feel comfortable or prepared to have these kinds of conversations. That’s why they wrote A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Sex and Dating—to equip you to initiate healthy, honest discussions with your teenager. This book will also help you understand some of the relevant trends and issues in today’s youth culture.

Your role as a parent is to do more than provide your teenager with information about sex and dating. You have the opportunity and the calling to help your child live wisely and honor God in this sometimes tricky, occasionally awkward, and always vital area of life.

parents: get it. youth workers: get it for parents, or tell ’em about it.

parent-5-packand while we’re at it…

this book is the last of the five in the Parent’s Guide series! so The Youth Cartel is now selling the whole set at a $5 discount (a buck a book off!). the whole set inclues:
A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Teenage Girls (co-authored with Brooklyn Lindsey)
A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Teenage Guys (co-authored with Brock Morgan)
A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Teenage Brains (written only by little ol’ me)
A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Social Media (co-authored with Adam McLane)
A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Sex & Dating (co-authored with Joel Mayward)

you can download samples of each book by following the links. or, go here to order the whole set at a discount.

books, church, leadership, the youth cartel

Leading Up: Finding Influence in the Church Beyond Role and Experience

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i’m so excited about the release of joel mayward‘s new book, Leading Up: Finding Influence in the Church Beyond Role and Experience, published by The Youth Cartel. i’ve worked with joel on this book, in one way or another, for almost two years. it sprung out of a conversation we had in the very first youth ministry coaching program cohort (that joel was in). later in that year, he presented thoughts on it, in the form of a rough book outline, to that cohort; and the whole group spoke into it.

it’s a leadership fable, in the style of patrick lencioni’s books. and joel really pulled it off with excellence. not only for youth workers, the book would be helpful to any church leader not in the driver’s seat (that said: the main character in the fable is a youth worker).

here’s the back cover copy:

Far too many church leaders find themselves frustrated, floundering, or fired because their dreams for the church reach beyond the job description they were hired to fill. Whether you’re a pastor, an intern, or a volunteer, you’re not the one in charge of the congregation. Thankfully, neither is your boss; Jesus is the lead pastor for every church. His Spirit moves in each of us, and those gifted in leadership can find Christ-honoring practices for leading up- having influence that goes beyond role or experience. This isn’t about manipulation or rebellion, but about humbly participating in the mission of God in your church.

Leading Up is a leadership fable that unpacks a paradigm and practical tools for leading up in your church. Logan is a young pastor with a big vision for Evergreen Community Church, but cannot seem to move any of his ideas beyond wishful thinking. At a significant breaking point, a mentor comes alongside to mentor Logan on his journey of leadership, transforming both of these leaders and the church in the process. Logan’s affecting tale will offer compelling insights for any church leader wanting to expand their leadership skills.

until the book officially releases (which should be in about a week, i think), we’re offering a special pre-release discount of 25%, making it only $9.74 (instead of the $12.99 it will be very soon). pre-release sales are on the physical book only, but ebook versions will be available soon also (on The Youth Cartel store, as well as the kindle store and the apple ibook store). click here to order now at the pre-release price.

books, personal, youth ministry, youth work

3 books coming out in august

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i’m pretty pumped to announce that i have THREE books releasing in august. crazy, huh?

i’ve developed a series of little pocket guides for parents of teenagers for simply youth ministry. these are really designed to be a quick and accessible read for any parent, with the goal of increasing understanding (which, i’ve often found, puts parents in a better place to connect with their teenagers). the books are something youth workers could buy in bulk (they’ll be super inexpensive), and make available to parents.

there will be five books in all, releasing over the next 6 months or so. on four of them, i recruited a fantastic co-author.

the first two in the series are:

A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Teenage Guys: Remembering Who He Was, Celebrating Who He’s Becoming
by Mark Oestreicher and Brock Morgan

A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Teenage Girls: Remembering Who She Was, Celebrating Who She’s Becoming
by Mark Oestreicher and Brooklyn Lindsey

the other books in the series will be:
A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Teenage Brains, which i wrote on my own
A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Social Media, which Adam McLane co-authored with me
and, A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Sex & Dating, which Joel Mayward is co-authoring with me

and… (i’m really pumped about this one!)… i co-authored a book with my two kids, Liesl and Max! They really did write the bulk of it. the three of us went on a writing retreat, framing out the whole book and writing 2/3 of it. then, on a family vacation over spring break, we finished writing the last 1/3.

it’s a book for teenagers, also published with simply youth ministry. and it’s called:

99 Thoughts on Raising Your Parents: Living the Sweet Life at Home
by Liesl and Max Oestreicher, with Mark Oestreicher

you’ll be able to get them all on the simply store, or on The Youth Cartel store, or anywhere fine books are sold! and, of course, you can count on the fact that i’ll let you know when they actually release (very soon!).

blogs, youth ministry, youth work

joel mayward’s comments about ymcp

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joel mayward is a sharp young youth pastor in the phoenix area, and one of the deeper thinking junior high pastors i have ever met. he’s a great blogger (really, if you’re a youth worker, add joel’s blog to your reader). and he just completed a year in my youth ministry coaching program. here’s what joel blogged the other day about ymcp.

Five Reasons Why You Should Join the YMCP

I’m not sure how to rank transformational experiences in one’s life, but participating in Marko’s Youth Ministry Coaching Program this past year has certainly been one of the most enriching and life-giving experiences in my story. If that sounds hyperbolic, so be it; it’s true. Beyond seminary classes, beyond conventions and seminars, beyond my own personal studies, the YMCP is a uniquely holistic approach to leadership development that addresses heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Here are five reasons why I think the YMCP might be for you:

1. It’s educational. I learned more about youth ministry philosophy and practices in this one-year program than I did in Bible college, leadership books, or ministry conventions. I read incredible books I would have never picked up. We had discussions around relevant ministry issues, sharing our own stories and insights with one another. I filled pages and pages of solid ministry information in my Moleskin notebook. The stuff I learned has reshaped my youth ministry in the best kind of way.

2. It’s spiritual. Unlike many classes and seminars, the cohort experience goes way beyond information transfer. Some of the most profound spiritual moments of my life happened this past year as I allowed space to listen for God’s voice and others prophetically spoke words of grace and truth into my spirit. My relationship with the Lord feels richer and more personal than ever before as I have learned to be present to Him and find my entire identity in Christ. The cohort is a safe place to openly wrestle with doubts about your ministry calling and relationship with God.

3. It’s relational. Much of our time was spent simply laughing and being together, enjoying the company of like-minded youth workers from a variety of backgrounds. There is almost no other life context where I would have encountered and built relationships my fellow participants. Now I would consider them my friends and partners in youth ministry, people I pray for on a regular basis and genuinely care about what’s happening in their lives. I love them and want the best for them, and I know they feel the same for me. It’s not this mushy-gushy temporary thing either, like a summer camp emotional high. These are people who have spoken encouragement into my life, and there is a clear sense of safety and accountability.

4. It’s customizable. Each cohort member gave a number of unique presentations about their ministry context and experience which shaped many of our conversations in very personal ways. For the two presentations I did, I received honest and insightful feedback that dramatically affected the direction I was heading. Our ministry discussions centered around what we found relevant in youth ministry, ranging from conversations about extended adolescence to the best books we’ve ever read. There is clear direction and guidance and structure, but there is also freedom and flexibility to see where God is leading us.

5. It transformed my life, and it’ll transform yours. Take a group of like-minded people who are eager to learn and grow. They have a diversity of stories and backgrounds, but the same passion for youth ministry. You put ’em together in a safe environment for dialogue, personal sharing, and spiritual direction. You add a competent and wise facilitator who spurs on conversation and offers insights into each person’s life. Then give it a year. I can guarantee that your life will never be the same again. I’m a better pastor, a better husband, a better father, and a better follower of Jesus for being a part of this. Seriously. No exaggeration. Ask my wife.

Check out this video to get a glimpse of what the YMCP is like. And be sure to check out more information about 2011 cohorts here.