Giving Up Gimmicks: Reclaiming Youth Ministry from an Entertainment Culture

“In our entertainment culture in which the church often looks like the world in order to draw the world into the church, Brian Cosby offers us a much–needed word about the identity, purpose, and strategy of effective, God–centered youth ministry. A pleasure to read, this book brims over with winsome anecdotes, gospel–driven applications, and passionate pleas to recover biblical understandings on Holy Scripture, sacraments, spiritual discipline, and Christlike community. For those who desire the gospel of Jesus Christ to permeate the lives of a new generation, this book is a must–read.”

“In Giving Up Gimmicks, Cosby boldly reminds the church of her God–given responsibility (and privilege) to minister to our youth on God’s terms. The means of grace—Word, sacraments, and prayer—are the verdant pastures where our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, feeds and nourishes his flock . . . youth included! In these pages, therefore, Cosby provides us with something exceedingly rare, namely, a clear, cogent, and compelling articulation of biblical youth ministry! I warmly commend this book.”

“Brian Cosby believes that youth ministry should be based on the same means of grace that nurture the whole church. This book contains good theology that reflects his conviction that strong biblical doctrine will grip and transform the lives of youth (and others). So don’t read this volume just as a handbook on how to minister to others—you will find yourself challenged and strengthened by reading it! I commend him for writing it, and recommend it to youth workers and others for their personal growth as well as effective ministry.”

“If you are serious about making a lasting impact in the lives of your youth and preparing them for the long haul of life, Giving up Gimmicks is a must read. Brian Cosby understands how the ordinary means of grace change young people, draw them closer to Christ, and build a foundation that will last.”

“Structuring a modern youth ministry by following the contours of Scripture and keeping the body of Christ at the epicenter? What a novel idea! Yet this is just what Brian Cosby has done. And the result is radical and refreshing because the Bible remains cutting–edge in every culture. If you want true success in your ministry, here is the thought–through operational blueprint.”

“The percentage of students walking away from the church after high school is staggering. This book not only identifies the ‘whys’ but gives applicable, biblical ways for the church and youth leaders to address this challenge head–on. I would recommend this as a must read for anyone concerned about the next generation.”

“John Williamson Nevin once critiqued Charles Grandison Finney’s revivalism by distinguishing Finney’s ‘system of the [anxious] bench’ with historical Protestantism’s ‘system of the catechism.’ One philosophy of ministry looks for quick results while the other looks for gradual, sustained growth. One is based on ingenious methods while the other is based on God’s methods. As a former youth pastor, I know that most models of American youth ministry are systems of the bench and are not saturated with the Word, sacraments, and prayer. Yet these are precisely the anchors that the souls of our youth need. These are precisely what Brian Cosby calls us back to. I thank God for this book.”

“For decades the church has allowed the tail to wag the dog in regard to youth ministry. We have attempted to find the answer to every problem facing teenagers by flooding money into bigger and flashier programs. The results of our efforts speak for themselves. I am thankful that Brian Cosby steps forward in Giving Up Gimmicks and does something that has been unheard of: marrying solid biblical theology to youth ministry methodology. If you are concerned on any level about seeing young people in your church build a faith that will last, then I highly recommend this book to you.”

“For more than a generation now we have sought to attract and entertain our precious youth rather than nurture them by grace. The majority have responded by turning their backs on the church. Brian Cosby has listened to their heart and is offering us the best biblical guidance we could ever hope to receive.”

“Many youth ministry books are outdated almost as soon as they are published... This book is different, grounding a vision of gospel–focused youth ministry in the permanent things of apostolic Christianity.”

“The ‘traditional’ approach to youth ministry has treated youth like autonomous individuals unrelated to their families or the church. The youth of the church are first and foremost members of the church, ‘covenant children’ as they’ve come to be called, because they are members of Christian families. Youth ministry, then, if properly done, is family–centered and church–centered. It trusts that God works through families and through the ordinary ministry of the church. Finally, we have in Brian Cosby’s Giving Up Gimmicks an approach that does justice to the family and the church, while providing practical helps for youth workers.”