Street Smart

Drawing on years of street ministry, John explains how to diffuse tension, establish respect and create lasting relationships

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Why is there such a distance between the churches and the young people living around them? How can Christians engage with young people? How can they build relationships? How can they plan and develop their youth ministry? What practical skills do they need? Chapter headings include: First things first; Go where they are; Making connections; Outreach strategy; Working together; Being professional; Handling aggression; Long term discipleship. For years John worked on Manchester's broken down estates, frequently dealing with aggressive, often drugged or drunk teenagers, and has learned the hard way how to diffuse tension, establish contact quickly, maintain boundaries, and also how to develop relationships over time and establish mutual respect.