Tim Mcknight - Engaging Generation Z: Raising the Bar for Youth Ministry

Ive been in student ministry since I was a student myself. After 35 years, I realized how much more there was to learn about Gen Z when it occurred to me that my two sons were part of it. Thank God for Tim McKnight! He has been more than a trusted friend to me. Hes become a voice in reaching Gen Z with the gospel. He is respected by his peers and those who lead teenagers (and those who influence them) as one of the foremost leaders in preparing youth pastors to disciple a generation that seems to be so distracted by screens and social media. But what Tim does in these pages is lay out a biblical framework for helping students see who Jesus is, understand the good news of his kingdom, and become true followers of Christ. This book is a gift to the church.

Clayton King Founder, Crossroads Summer Camps Teaching Pastor, Newspring Church

I read Tim McKnights new book Engaging Generation Z: Raising the Bar for Youth Ministry from cover to cover with this question in mind: Is there anything new under the sun to inspire kids to love God and impact their world? He more than answered my question. The raised bar Tim champions is the ancient wisdom of caring parents, rites of passage, strong, Christ-centered families, passionate youth leaders that model servanthood, a lifestyle of evangelism, and Bible-centered discipleship. The great thing about this book is that Tim demonstrates how to make that happen. Read it thoughtfully and be prepared to change your parenting and grandparenting.

Ron Boehme Elder, Youth With A Mission Professor of Leadership and Intercultural Studies, Faith International University

The vast majority of people who surrender to Jesus as Lord and Savior do it before the age of eighteen. Because of this truth, the youth ministry in every local church must be empowered and equipped to be the front lines of our evangelism and mobilization efforts. Thats why Engaging Generation Z, by Tim McKnight, is such an important and timely book. Let this resource help guide you in reaching Gen Z, because I truly believe they are the generation in which God could spark the next great spiritual awakening! Therefore, every pastor, next gen leader, parent, and student needs this book.

Shane Pruitt National Next Gen Director, North American Mission Board (NAMB) Author of 9 Common Lies Christians Believe

We do youth ministry best when we know our students and our Bibles well. In this book, Dr. Tim McKnight combines a rich knowledge of Scripture with a wealth of insights on the experiences and perspectives of Generation Z to deliver a blueprint for revitalized and effective youth ministry. This is an invaluable and deeply encouraging resource for anyone navigating the intricacies of student ministry in our current context.

Greg Stier Founder, Dare 2 Share Ministries

In his new book, Engaging Generation Z, Tim McKnight offers a great challenge in leading youth ministry to an ever-changing culture. Tim asks great questions to get you thinking, makes strong statements to give you a push, and offers great ideas to help advance youth ministry. Youth leaders and parents need to work through Engaging Generation Z: Raising the Bar for Youth Ministry, so together, we can raise the level of excellence for the students we serve.

Randall J Davis CEO/Executive Director, National Network of Youth Ministries

In every era of student ministry, there is a resource that accurately assesses the landscape of the culture, identifies the unique characteristics of the current culture, and provides the practical insights necessary to faithfully serve youth and their families. In Engaging Generation Z, my friend Tim McKnight provides this generations resource for ministers, leaders, and parents who are investing in todays students. His balanced approach is biblically rooted, historically informed, culturally relevant, and practically instructive. This work will be the benchmark in student ministry for years to come!

R. Scott Pace Vice President for Undergraduate Studies and Dean, The College at Southeastern Johnny Hunt Chair of Biblical Preaching

Eager to inspire and activate your young disciples? Your search is over. In this book, author Tim McKnight coaches pastors and parents with historical perspectives from his work as a scholar and real-life narratives from his heart as a parent. Most importantly, his wisdom and encouragement come from Gods Word. Prepare to see your ministry and results change as you engage Gen Z.

Kenneth S. Coley Senior Professor of Christian Education Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Engaging Generation Z: Raising the Bar for Youth Ministry

2021 by Tim McKnight

Published by Kregel Ministry, an imprint of Kregel Publications, 2450 Oak Industrial Dr. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505-6020.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwisewithout written permission of the publisher, except for brief quotations in printed reviews.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN 978-0-8254-4593-4

Printed in the United States of America
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To my mom, Mary Ann McKnight. You showed me more than anyone what it looks like to raise the bar in youth ministry. Thank you for the example you gave me in your over twenty years in youth ministry. I love you.

I ve always been a big Bruce Lee fan. His lighting-fast kicks, one-inch punches and amazing nunchuck skills left me in awe when I first saw his Hollywood-produced movie Enter the Dragon.

The first thing I did after seeing the movie was to go out and buy myself some nunchucks. I wanted to swing those two chain-connected pieces of wood so fast that they would sound like a small army of angry hummingbirds to all the imaginary opponents I would soon be fighting in my room.

The problem is that I was never trained by someone who actually knew what they were doing. Over the course of countless months, I endured several self-inflicted injuries. From hitting myself in the back of the head to clunking the inside of my elbow bone to the much-dreaded nunchuck-to-the-groin, I spent half of my time on the floor of my room groaning, moaning, and trying to recover.

But I persisted in spite of the bumps and bruises. Over the course of a few years of trial, error, and injuries, I got relatively good. Though not at the Bruce Lee level of nunchuck excellence, I can make those two pieces of wood, now hanging in my office, hum.

In many ways, learning nunchucks is like learning youth ministry. It goes much better if you have a skilled sensei training you than just trying to wing it and learn it on your own. Someone who knows both Gods Word (2 Tim. 3:1617) and understands the times we are living in (1 Chr. 12:32) will take you to the next level of youth ministry without nearly as many bumps, bruises, and self-induced knockouts.

Thats why Im thrilled that you have chosen to read Engaging Generation Z: Raising the Bar for Youth Ministry by my friend Dr. Tim McKnight. In this book he will teach you the basics of what its going to take to reach, disciple, and mobilize the next generation for gospel advancers.

His mastery of Gods Word will ground you in a biblical approach to youth ministry. Every chapter is soaked in Scripture (the ultimate youth ministry manual) and built on the timeless foundation of Gods Word.