The Youth Worker's Guide to Helping Teenagers in Crisis (Youth Specialties)

When youth work becomes crisis managers. Anyone who stays in youth ministry for a while will encounter significant crises. Family break-ups, substance abuse, sexual assault, eating disorders, cutting, suicide, gun violence. But without proper and immediate care, crises like these can cause years of emotional pain and spiritual scarring in students. Rich Van Pelt and Jim Hancock want to help you prevent that from happening. Through their experience and expertise, you'll learn how to: -Respond quickly and effectively to crisis -Balance legal, ethical, and spiritual outcomes -Forge preventive partnerships with parents, schools, and students -Bring healing when damage is done When crises happen and they will, ready or not there are practical steps you can take. Van Pelt and Hancock provide field-tested counsel and specific, biblical advice for each stage of crisis. Keep this book on hand as your go-to resource when you need it most. Because when it comes to crisis, it's not a matter of if, but when.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Resource and Highly Reccomended

By Christopher Mclain - June 8, 2009

Outstanding book and an excellent resource for youth workers in any capacity. This should be required reading for any professional youth worker and it will be at the top of my "Recommended Reading" list. As a youth minister and a college student studying many of these issues specifically, I can say with authority that sound advice is given. This is certainly one of the best ministry resources I have read. It is full of practical advice, and the book is on par with Fields' "Your First Two Years In Youth Ministry."

The text is heavy on suggesting referrals; but, considering the seriousness of the crises described, this remains sound advice. Perhaps the most important lesson that can be taken away from the is that "it's not about me." A loving youth worker can tell when they are in over their head. This book not only gives you the means to assess this, but it serves as a guide in developing professional contacts to use in referrals when your abilities have been exhausted... read more

A Great, succinct starting point

By J. Snyder "J3Snyder" - January 5, 2008

Great for times of crisis in a youth ministry. Not exhaustive, but if you need information fast, it's there. Excellently organized, and covering a wide range of topics. It has incredibly helpful sections regarding where to find more information/help.

Awesome book

By Jacquelyn P. Bounds - October 10, 2008

If you are a youth minister or youth worker you need this book. Rich Van Pelt is a wonderful speaker and writer. He has done a great job in giving guidance and direction to youth workers on helping their students. All students have hurt and pain in their lives at sometime. This book has given me new insight on how to best approach students and their families.