“Mark Cannister has given his career to cultivating space for love and commitment between budding youth workers and youth ministry, between academic discourse and the field of youth ministry, and between the young people themselves and the church. This book is the manifestation of those many years of deepening skill and passion. On every page you’ll see a wise teacher, devoted parent, and ferocious advocate for the young.”—Andrew Root, Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry, Luther Seminary

“Many have sounded the alarm regarding the damage done by parents who choose to spend their time selfishly focusing on pursuits that have come to matter more than raising their children. We are correct in lamenting this reality where it exists. But is it possible that in our congregations we’ve been selfish as well, isolating teenagers in age-segregated ministries without also integrating them in the full life of the church? Mark Cannister makes it clear that teenagers can, do, and must matter in the life of the church. Pastors, youth workers, parents, and church members who read Teenagers Matter will be challenged to rethink and restructure youth ministry in ways that reflect biblical priorities and promote significant spiritual growth.”—Walt Mueller, Center for Parent/Youth Understanding

“Youth ministry books tend to make one of two errors: they offer big ideas, but provide very little practical help—they essentially tell youth workers to ‘make bricks without straw.’ Or they offer all kinds of cool ideas, but without the ballast of thoughtful theological and psychological reflection—they basically offer ‘straw’ without the ‘bricks.’ Avoiding both problems, this book gives youth leaders well-conceived, user-friendly counsel for moving beyond ministry that is ‘good enough.’ I’m always on the lookout for books that combine biblical faithfulness and theological reflection with in-the-trenches relevance, and Teenagers Matter is just such a book. It’s thorough, thoughtful, challenging, and practical.”—Duffy Robbins, professor of youth ministry, Eastern University

“Reading this book was a profound and unexpected pleasure. Mark Cannister effortlessly connects the dots on behalf of comprehensive youth ministry. At last, here is a book that articulates why and how God’s people can step up into a faithfulness that will make a difference for every kid in our communities.”—Dave Rahn, senior vice-president, Youth for Christ/USA; director, Huntington University’s MA in Youth Ministry Leadership

“Mark Cannister is a fresh voice, reminding the church of the reasons for and the ways to do authentic youth ministry. I love his tone: both helpful and hopeful. This is a must-read book for pastors, church leaders, parents, and youth workers.”—Len Kageler, professor of youth and family studies, Nyack College

“Teenagers Matter is a benchmark book for the field of youth ministry, a book that will be widely read and referenced for years. Mark Cannister champions youth ministry’s value and mission in a book that will make readers feel like they’re getting the ‘inside word’ on what’s happening in youth ministry from one of the leading thinkers in the field. And they are. This book will renew concern for teenagers and provide direction for youth ministry to move beyond ‘good enough’ as a standard for excellence. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Teenagers Matter and know that it will become one of youth ministry’s significant books.”—Terry Linhart, professor of youth ministry/adolescent studies, Bethel College–Indiana

“Mark Cannister has made a significant contribution to the field of student ministry. His thoughtful, comprehensive approach shows concern for those within the congregation while also reaching out to the young people of the community. He has provided an abundance of academic research in a way that is accessible for students and practitioners alike. I encourage every youth ministry leader to get at least two copies of this book—one for yourself and one for a church leader who has influence on the student ministry of your entire congregation.”—Wes Black, author of An Introduction to Youth Ministry; coauthor of Four Views of Youth Ministry and the Church