this one from David Mehrle, on his studentministry101 blog:

I have just finished reading Marko’s book, Youth Ministry 3.0. I have to admit that I am a little confused as to exactly what I want to take away from this book. The first four chapters are not that impacting if you have been in Youth Ministry for any length of time. The last two chapters really throw a bone to those who are ready to step out into the next big wave of Youth Ministry. The problem with the wave is that it is unpredictable and has no boundaries. So, for those who are hoping to make the next big wave in Youth Ministry be careful as you go here. There are some things that you have to be aware of when it comes to making those shifts.

1. You have to be able to communicate exactly what you are doing
2. You will have to get buy-in from you Sr. Leader
3. You will have to train your team to think totally differently about ministry
4. You will have to risk total failure, which you better have enough change in your pocket to go there

While I agree with what Marko is presenting and can see the shift in our student culture and in the way that we are going to do ministry alongside them. I want to throw a word of caution out to those who are fairly new to Youth Ministry. Make sure you know where you are going and how you plan to get there. Because those you want to reach will be there, but those who are leading the church will not understand if you just start cutting programs and don’t communicate in depth where you are headed.

My only real big fear is that we are creating a system that is not measurable for those who live under a microscope already. Youth Ministries have for centuries shown us what the church will look like in the next ten years and I think we need to be innovative but cautious as we lead down that path.

Marko – thanks for a good read and a challenging voice to the way we minister to students on a daily basis.