Group Publishing: Group Magazine: Article Library

From: July/August 1995 Group Magazine
Keywords: Resources On-line Books
Resource Review
MINISTRYNET
What it is: This on-line service connects users involved in Christian education, children's ministry, and youth ministry. The service includes a magazine library for CHILDREN'S MINISTRY, JR. HIGH MINISTRY, and GROUP Magazines; message boards for discussions with other youth workers around the country; music comparison charts; E-mail; live chat lines; hot news; programming ideas; and more. You'll need a personal computer, a modem, and a mouse.
The scoop: I appreciate this easy-to-use service. By selecting a particular topic, you can instantly find articles from back issues of magazines. I like the immediate access to GROUP Magazine ideas, weekly news, and trends. The clip art files have great illustrations, but downloading clips was difficult. I hope more people join so I'm not just out playing by myself. I have fun with it daily.
Cost: Start-up package, $10; monthly charge, $15.95 (includes 60 minutes free); 15 cents for each additional minute; children's ministry clip art, 50 cents for each downloaded image.
Available from: Group Publishing, Inc., 800-447-1070, (970) 669-3836.
Tim Kurth, reviewer
HOT ILLUSTRATIONS FOR YOUTH TALKS
What it is: Veteran youth worker Wayne Rice has compiled 100 attention-getting stories, parables, and anecdotes from top youth speakers in the country. The helpful introduction, "how-to-use" guide, and topical index make this a must-have book for youth workers who love to make an impact with stories and examples.
The scoop: The stories cover topics from acceptance to peer pressure to spirituality. Youth leaders can adapt these flexible illustrations for different settings-even as introductions, discussion starters, and/or conclusions for parents meetings. Each illustration contains an "application" that links it to a spiritual message or Scripture verse. Some applications may over-analyze stories that could stand on their own.
Cost: $14.95
Available from: Youth Specialties, 800-776-8008, (803) 573-7004.
Cynthia Price, reviewer
REACH AROUND THE WORLD
What it is: Bob and Sandy Friesen, veteran missionaries, provide 52 global awareness activities for Christian teenagers. The book includes everything youth leaders need to get kids fired up about mission work: activity outlines, maps and statistics, and photocopiable handouts.
The scoop: Based on their experiences, the authors cover all facets of mission life. Activities help kids become aware of the world, cross over into different cultures, and appreciate the importance of financially supporting missionaries. Youth leaders will find most of these hands-on activities extremely beneficial in helping kids understand what it's like to do mission work. For example, in the "Missions Trip Simulation," students must apply for visas and passports, experience border crossings, obey cultural rules, and barter for food. But some of the ideas won't appeal to teenagers' zest for adventure, such as using pipe cleaners to sculpt a symbol of what mission work means to them.
Cost: $12.99
Available from: Victor Books, 800-323-9409, (519) 442-7843 (Canada).
Mary Jacobs, reviewer
QUICK PICKS
Need new resources to energize your ministry? Try these:
*I'M OUTA HERE!-A compilation of real-life stories for facing tough choices after high school by Len Woods. Price is $8.99. Available from Baker Books, 800-877-2665, (416) 499-4615 (Canada).
*CLIP-ART CARTOONS for CHURCHES-A collection of over 180 photocopiable humorous spot cartoons. Price is $19.99. Available from Group Publishing, Inc., 800-447-1070, (970) 669-3836.
YOUTH CULTURE RESOURCES
*A GENERATION ALONE-A book by William Mahedy and Janet Bernardi that looks at the spiritual life of young people. Price is $10.99. Available from InterVarsity Press, (708) 887-2500.
*GENERATION at the CROSSROADS-A book by Paul Loeb that dispels myths about Generation Xers. Price is $24.95. Available from Rutgers University Press, 800-446-9323, (908) 932-932-1970.
*AMERICA'S YOUTH in the 1990s-An interpretation of survey results by the Gallup Youth Survey. Price is $79.00. Available from The George H. Gallup International Institute, 800-888-5493, (609) 921-6200.
*YOUTH UPDATE-A free RespecTeen quarterly newsletter that provides information about youth issues and resources. Available from Search Institute, 800-888-3820, (612) 376-8955.