New Releases by Frank Mercadante

Engaging a New Generation critically examines our commonly held assumptions as well as our often-used models and methodologies initially developed to reach late Baby Boomer and Generation X teens. It then introduces you to the core characteristics of the Millennial Generation teens and the pastoral implications, where the operational and ministerial borders are expanding far beyond traditional youth ministry. "This text fills a great need." -- Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas, Bishop of Tucson "If you want to help young people develop a vibrant, life-transforming faith, read this book!" -- John Roberto, LifelongFaith Associates "Engaging a New Generation is as much about vibrant parish faith as it is about our young people." -- Bishop Timothy Doherty, Lafayette, Indiana "A modern manifesto for reaching young people today." -- Jim Beckman, Director of Youth Evangelization and Leadership, Augustine Institute "Frank Mercadante''s passion for the young Church and his commitment to a comprehensive approach to pastoral ministry is evident on every page." -- Bob McCarty, D.Min., Executive Director, National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry "This book comes from deep inside the field of youth ministry. It is theological, sociological, practical, pastoral, and scriptural." -- Dr. Mike Carotta, author, national consultant "This book is the most significant resource I have read, not only for youth ministry but for parish ministry, in the last ten years." --Peter Denio, Standards for Excellence Coordinator, The National Leadership Roundtable on Church Management "Frank Mercadante is in it to win it for today''s teens." -- Randy Raus, Life Teen President/CEO "Masterfully and succinctly outlines some of the big shifts that have taken place within culture and the Church." -- Mike Patin, International Catholic Speaker and "Faith Horticulturist" "Whoever wants the next generation of Catholic youth the most will get them. Let Frank Mercadante show you how!" -- Matthew Kelly, New York Times bestselling author of Rediscover Catholicism and founder of Dynamiccatholic.com "We as a Church often hope to reach today''s young people with yesterday''s approach - and then wonder why they don''t respond. This book is a must read." -- Bob Rice, Speaker, Author, Musician, and Professor of Catechetics at Franciscan University of Steubenville "Clearly identifies these cultural shifts and shares important current research on youth and families." -- Jeffrey Kaster, Ed.D, Saint John''s University School of Theology and Seminary, Collegeville

Every Catholic teen will be evangelized in the coming year. That is a fact. The question is this: Who will evangelize our teens, and to what will they be converted? Ironically, most "evangelization" is being done not by the Church but by contemporary American culture. A variety of voices are vying for the attention and allegiance of our youth. Many of those voices, often electronically piped into our unsuspecting households, proclaim relevantly, creatively, and persuasively a message contrary to our Catholic faith. Yet the Church possesses a message that addresses the most significant hunger of every teen''s heart. We have exactly what young people are searching for. We struggle, however, in constructing an environment that teens find attractive, and we often fail to proclaim the Gospel in a creative and culturally relevant manner. Make It Real: A Practical Resource for Teen-Friendly Evangelization is all about building evangelistic ministry that not only is worth teens'' time but also addresses the issues that are real in their lives. This book provides fresh, clear, and test-driven principles for building an effective and teen-friendly ministry for evangelistic outreach. The fully designed sessions help the busy youth worker implement dynamic and spiritually powerful evangelistic gatherings.

A collection of profiles of people of faith that illustrate ways to share, nurture, and express faith and love for God and one another, with authenticity and integrity, while making the most of evangelistic opportunities.

How can I grow an effective ministry for youth? Growing Teen Disciples provides all the answers you need with tested strategies based on a comprehensive vision of youth ministry. Based on a solid spiritual foundation of prayer and the call to discipleship, the book explores ways to develop dynamic adult leaders, evangelize youth, provide spiritual formation, and develop teen leadership. Youth ministers of all skill levels will find inspiration and practical tools within the pages of this book. Growing Teen Disciples was originally published by Ave Maria Press in 1998.