NYWC 2019 is wrapped up and we are already preparing for NYWC 2020, but we wanted to give the postlude to some of our great featured resources that were hits at NYWC 2019 in the YS bookstore. Certainly there were more than 7, but 7 sounds like the biblical place to start.

Here we go through some of the best and most talked-about resources at NYWC 2019!

You Found Me | Rick Richardson

Younger generations “leaving church” and setting aside church has been a topic for several years now. In a post-Christian society, what are the experiences and practices that really capture younger generation and help them feel found by God and community? Rick Richardson captures the essence of that discovery in his new book from InterVarsity Press.

Growing With | Kara Powell + Steve Argue

The seminal work of Growing Young from the Fuller Youth Ministry team is accompanied by this fantastic resource to encourage and equip families/youth workers grow WITH students and young adults. In the work articulated by Kara and Steve, this book aims to give parents and youth workers of the “with-ness” that comes with genuine growth and transformation in Jesus. This book came out in spring 2019 and has already been a hit at NYWC 2019 and will continue to gain notoriety as awareness grows.

It’s Personal | Reggie Joiner, Virginia Ward, and Kristin Ivy

Building out of the years of work and research through Orange – Rethink Group, It’s Personal is a work of empowerment for small group leaders and ministry leaders alike to see personal connectedness as a part of their relational ministry strategy. This book was launched at Orange Conference 2019 and promises to be a focal piece for small group leaders for years to come.

Faith For Exiles | David Kinnamen + Mark Matlock

Continuing the fantastic work of previous titles like UnChristian and You Lost Me, this book captures the essence of faith in “digital babylon” for millenials. While not explicitly a youth ministry title for Generation Z, the narratives and insights easily apply to help youth workers understand growing faith in young people in a digital landscape.

Before You Go | Gerald Fadayomi

Not a book directly for youth workers, but Before You Go can be a powerful tool to help students anticipate the “nexts” of faith for post-high school. Packed with practical ideas, new ways of thinking, and helpful guidance for students anticipating post-high school, this book should be given to students at your Senior Send-Off service in the spring.

Spiritual Rhythms For The Enneagram | Adele and Doug Calhoun

Every year at NYWC 2019, there’s a book that surprises us with sales and how popular it becomes. Spiritual Rhythms For The Enneagram is this year’s book. Enneagram writing has become more popular in the last 3 years, but this book is focused as a little more of a workbook and some tools to help understand Enneagram insights in the contexts of spiritual experiences. If you’re a budding or existing Enneagram user, check this one out in 2020.

Black And White: Disrupting Racism One Friendship At A Time | John Hambrick and Teesha Hadra

Racism can be a difficult topic to write and discuss. John and Teesha take an approach that can both be helpful in understanding the scope of the issue, but also transformative as it relates to connecting with one another as human beings. We are wired for relationship, so Black And White seeks to process the issue of racism through the context of building relationships. This is a unique book, both from a Christian perspective but also from a social perspective as we seek to allow our faith to build unity between all of God’s people.

What books are you looking forward to reading in 2020? What ideas will capture your imagination as we look forward to a new chapter of ministry, personal life, and the world around us? Books have powerful capacity to inspire and ignite…if we let them.