Coming of Age: Exploring the Spirituality and Identity of Younger Men - Softcover

"This book does an excellent job of presenting both the issues faced by younger men in their daily lives and spiritual journeys, and strategies congregations can use in walking with them. As the father of three younger men, I have experienced the struggles they face as they deal with questions around relationships, work and avocation, and spiritual hunger. These authors have provided ways for the church to take an aggressive approach to ministry with younger men through personal engagement and action, assisting them in working out the critical issues of their lives. If you are wondering 'where have all the young men gone?' from your congregation, this book is for you." — Bishop Mark Hanson, ELCA

"Authors Anderson, Hill and Martinson have heard the voices of young men whose stories reveal depth of spirituality and the workings of faith. In our "feminized churches" these are the marginalized. This is not a critique of women's places in our ministries. It is a corrective to make room for those outside. Truth in love. Buy this book. Read this book. Pray through this book and for women and men to find their place in our churches again." — Pastor Michael Foss, Senior Pastor of Prince of Peace in Burnsville, Minnesota, author Power Surge, Real Faith for Real Life, and A Servant's Manual

"Coming of Age is a major contribution to the field of men's ministry from the evangelical, mainline church perspective. It is must reading for anyone who cares about young men- and reaching them for Christ." —Doug Haugen, Director, Lutheran Men in Mission, the men's ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

"Coming of Age provides much needed information for the church regarding men and especially young men who are much less present in the pew than was the case just twenty years ago. We have in this book, reflective research identifying common themes based on the interviews of 88 young men from very different walks of life with suggestions as to how we can provide opportunities for young men to see God at work in the world and in the church. When young men live in a culture that focuses on self, work, sports, consumerism and personal experience suggestions are made as to how the church, can lift up forgiveness, repentance, sacraments and Holy Scripture. I recommend reading and reflection to pastors and lay leaders who wish to reach out the young men who are dropping away from the church in record numbers." — The Rev. Dr. Leonard H. Bolick, Bishop, North Carolina Synod, ELCA

David W. Anderson is the Director of Home and Congregational Renewal at the Youth & Family Institute in Bloomington, MN. He is the coauthor of two books, The Child In Our Hands Leadership Manual, with Roland D. Martinson, and Frogs without Legs Can’t Hear: Nurturing Disciples in Home and Congregation, with Paul G. Hill.

Paul G. Hill, noted author and speaker, was the Director of the Center for Youth Ministries of Wartburg Seminary. He will be joining the Children, Youth, and Family Ministry Initiative Team at Luther Seminary.

Roland D. Martinson is Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Children Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Martinson is a member of the National Council on Family Relations and author of a number of books, including Effective Youth Ministry, A Congregational Approach.