In Presence-Centered Youth Ministry, King argues that if we are going to have long-term impact on youth, we need to change our approach to youth ministry. This change includes focusing on ancient Christian practices rather than wrapping our ministries around current cultural values and behavior modification techniques.

Perhaps the driving purpose behind the book is when King writes, "Youth ministry must move away from behavioral modification techniques and focus on creating environments for genuine spiritual transformation. We must guide young people into the presence of God (11)." Throughout the book King comments on current youth ministry practices noting that they are not producing the transformation needed if youth are going to become disciples of Jesus. He then discusses how youth leaders can cultivate an environment where spiritual transformation can take place.

Through the teaching and use of ancient Christian practices such as acts of prayer, creating sacred spaces, and symbols, King argues that youth are ushered into the presence of God which creates true spiritual transformation.

Even though I am not a youth pastor, I found a lot of connection points with adult ministries. Even for adults we tend to use behavior modification techniques believing they will lead to true transformation, but time and time again we end up wondering why people remain untransformed. Perhaps it is time that we cultivate an environment, through the use of Christian disciplines, that brings people into the presence of God.

Review of Am I Living a Spiritual Life by Dr. Susan Muto

Not everything that calls itself "spiritual" really is. Some books on spirituality are little more than pop counseling and self-help books with scripture sprinkled through like window dressings. This is not the case with Dr. Susan Muto's book Am I Living a Spiritual Life. Muto is grounded in the foundational practices of the Christian life, church history, and Christ-centered living.

The book is divided into three parts; Developing a Spiritual Life, Integrating Prayer and Participation and Living Christian Community. The section on developing a spiritual life is by far the largest section offering the reader help in cultivating a deeper relationship with God and also understanding what it means to live a spiritual life.

In thirty-three short and to the point chapters, Muto covers various aspects of living a spiritual life. Each chapter begins with a question about the spiritual life. The rest of the chapter addresses the question and tries to answer them. Muto addresses diverse topics on the spiritual life such as, prayer, silence, solitude, one's life call, listening to Scripture, spiritual listlessness, community, fear of death, inner peace, spiritual reading, play and the spiritual life.

I recommend this book to anyone who prays and desires to grow in deeper relationship with God.