Brandon K. McKoy
IVP Books, 2013, 267 pp., $14.80

In Youth Ministry from the Outside In, Brandon McKoy chips away at traditional youth ministry’s reliance on Western individualism, and instead posits a relational approach to youth ministry with a special emphasis on story. McKoy thoroughly understands and engages practical theology and social constructionism, arguing that stories shared in the context of relationships form and shape the identities of youth, running contrary to our culture’s obsession with privacy and individualism. He weaves personal narratives and the narratives of those whom he has encountered throughout his text, giving the book a ground-level feel even when he explores some very abstract concepts. Additionally, throughout the book, McKoy includes a section titled “The Critic’s Voice” in which he directly answers potential objections to his positions and provides several discussion questions at the end of each chapter. Youth Ministry from the Outside In is not necessarily the most practical of texts, but McKoy’s approach has radical implications for youth ministry, which he outlines throughout the book. This book exhorts youth workers to conceptualize youth ministry beyond the spiritual growth of individual students, challenging us to allow the biblical narrative, our own stories, and personal relationships be the focal points of a life-changing and spiritually formative youth ministry. Youth ministers of all ages and experience levels will benefit from hearty engagement with McKoy’s text!
—Ben Espinoza, Covenant Church, Bowling Green, Ohio

In Youth Ministry from the Outside In, Brandon McKoy has written a great reminder that young people are more than isolated individuals dealing with personal issues affecting only themselves. Unless we take into account the larger relational networks of which we each are a part, we belittle our youth and do not treat them with the full dignity they are due as unique bearers of the imago Dei. He also offers an important reminder to youth leaders that the Bible is more than a collection of “Bible McNuggets,” as Phillip Yancy once called the easily digestible Scripture tidbits that seem to be the majority diet of most American Christians. Without the larger perspective in mind, we run the risk of skimming rather than plumbing the depths of God’s gift of Self-revelation. If McKoy had stopped there, I would have given this book a hearty recommendation. Unfortunately, McKoy offers a fuller picture of his view of Scripture, along with His advocacy of social constructionism. While his exhortations to not overlook the lens of relationships when working in the lives of young people, he goes too far and uses this lens as the sole filter through which to view them. His application of his relationship lens proves to be inconsistent and some of his later conclusions demand an individualistic approach.

As for the former, his view of Scripture tends to fall along the stereotypical lines of old mainline, liberal theology. Again, some of his observations are true and necessary, but he doesn’t offer a foundation necessary to sustain them. For example, he argues at one point that in studying the Word we must keep in mind we never do so in isolation. We do so as part of a community, which has helped to form and shape our interpretive lens. While this is true, he doesn’t extend his own interpretive community far enough. He relies on mostly liberal and postmodern interpreters of the past two centuries and largely ignores the great cloud of witnesses from the previous 18 who admirably defend the traditional doctrines of inerrancy and scriptural authority. As a result, when examining some of the hard passages of the Old Testament, he falls into conclusions that are fairly Marcionite in their framework and might make Bart Ehrman proud and misses a chance to help young people grapple with the character of a God who defies simplistic analysis.

Because of these latter reasons and in spite of my appreciation for McKoy’s reminder of the importance of taking into account the full context of the Bible and the young people we are trying to teach, I could not in good conscience recommend this book except to say if you skip chapters 1—4, skim chapters 5—8, ignore 9, and read 10—12 critically, you’ll get the high points without being burdened with the rest. Better yet, take some time to study through a well-grounded, evangelical biblical interpretation textbook, Paul’s writings on the community of believers in 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4, and the chapters on the Trinity and the imago Dei in an evangelical systematic theology textbook, and you can skip McKoy’s book altogether.
—Jonathan Waits is a pastor who loves connecting dots between good theology and culture. He has the pleasure of serving a great church in southern Virginia and is a regular contributor to the Religious Herald.

Brandon McKoy’s Youth Ministry from the Outside In isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s heady stuff, perhaps too much so. It’s not the first time I’ve found myself wondering if doctoral theses translate well into books for the general populace. If you live and breathe academia, I’m sure this would be a springboard for fruitful discussion. On the other hand, if you’re in the trenches as I am it’s just too darn esoteric.

McKoy takes two common youth ministry topics—relationships and stories (narrative) and filters them through the lens of a sociological theory known as social constructionism. Unfortunately, his presentation clarifies little and confuses much concerning these topics. I feel that McKoy sets up a straw man of sorts. Most youth workers have at least a rudimentary understanding of how relationships and stories contribute to identity. McKoy holds up the worst in youth ministry understanding and practice, and then attempts to resolve it with social constructivism. It just didn’t work for me. He is quick to point out that social constructivism is just a tool, not a belief system, but I believe he stretches his own definition. Those of conservative ilk will be troubled by his view of the authority of Scripture.

I thought the “Critic’s Voice” sidebars in each chapter offered the most helpful and practical attempt at wrapping my head around this theory, but they weren’t enough to warrant the several hours it took to wade through this tome.
—Jeff Crosby

This is a powerful and challenging read for youth ministry today, as Brandon McKoy looks at relationship and social constructionism as a paradigm for ministry. This book will cause you to wrestle, question, yell and shout “Amen” all at the same time, which means, you need to get two or three friends to read it with you.
—Tim Mc Daniel, worship pastor, Southside Christian

Overall, the book is an introduction to a new ministry paradigm. It offers a different way to doing youth ministry, studying the Bible and living as a community. The relational approach is very appropriate for the post-modern culture in which youth live today. However, carrying out the approach easily will take a great deal of practice and change for most people.

The first part of the book seems very academic. A number of new concepts are introduced and discussed, yet there could more explanation and examples to help grasp them fully. Thus, I feel I have a thin understanding of how the author wants his readers to change and carry out ministry. I do greatly appreciate the discussion of how the concepts that are explained happen in the development of children and youth. The last part of the book is greatly appreciated in trying to put the concepts into ministry action. However, I wish the author had provided more applicable illustrations to use in youth ministry. It would be a wonderful option if more examples were provided on his website (BrandonMcKoy.com), allowing people to post their own examples and learn from others so that others in youth ministry could learn how their peers are doing ministry with this paradigm.

This is a great resource for youth leaders, especially for those who want to begin to focus on a different relational ministry paradigm. In the end, the book will help youth leaders guide their students to learn more about their own community, Scripture and Jesus.
—Sam Yeager

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