We asked Newt Crenshaw to share a list of books he has learned from over the past year.  It’s impressive and gives insight to the heart of our leadership and the direction of our mission.  Enjoy!

"I have chosen a sample of books that I have read over the last 18 months, and in most cases books that were recommended or given to me by others. I suppose in a broad way, I am now passing them along to you. Let’s learn and grow and follow our Lord together – for His glory!"

My leadership strategy and thinking has changed some over my 30+ years of leading in Young Life.  Today, I think a lot about the llama.  Yep, since you can find these wild and unruly beasts all over South America in the Andes Mountains, I sometimes ponder, what would happen to the mission I lead if I got run over by a llama?  What would happen if I were trampled to death?

If you ask the question “who really owns Young Life in your community?” a common response is “well, um, actually, it's the Area Director or staff.” It’s true that our current model defines Area Directors as having the greatest vested interest and at times it seems like the the AD “really owns” the local ministry, but if that is our reality we ignore and neglect a tremendously significant group - the local community and the YL Committee!  

Summer camp is not the end of your ministry year!  It’s actually the starter’s pistol for your fall club start.  There is no other place or time in the world where your kids will be more enthusiastic about Young Life and sharing Christ with their friends than during the last days of summer camp.  If we don’t take advantage of that fact, momentum and opportunity will be lost and be nearly impossible to get back or recreate six to eight weeks later when school starts again.