Description: This groundbreaking and provocative book charts the recent history and impact of Christian youth work. It argues that the extraordinary growth of the evangelical movement in the UK can be attributed to its work among young people, and demonstrates how the youth work of one generation shapes the adult church of a later one. Peter Ward opens up vital areas of debate - has youth work become primarily defensive, rather than evangelical? Are we afraid to engage creatively with modern culture? What hope is there for the church of the future? Endorsements: ""Pete Ward argues that the evangelical subculture is essentially shaped by what goes on in the youth fellowship. So evangelicalism is essentially adolescent? It's a provocative idea, not to be dismissed lightly, and means that we all need to pay attention to what we are doing in youth work and consider seriously what this book claims."" --Derek Tidball, London Bible College ""A challenging and controversial book which deserves the closest attention and response."" --Graham Cray, Ridley Hall ""This book opens up a wider debate on issues familiar to those in frontier youth work about the roots and influence of Christian youth culture in general and the nature of evangelicalism in particular."" --Michael Eastman, Frontier Youth Trust ""This book is a must for anyone concerned either with youth work or the future of the church. Whether you agree with him or not, Pete Ward shows what a rich heritage of youth work evangelicals have, and how important for the future are realism, vision, and courage."" --David McInnes, St. Aldate's Church About the Contributor(s): Peter Ward teaches at King's College, London, where he is involved in research into popular theology and culture. He is the author of a number of books, including Liquid Church, God at the Mall, Youthwork and the Mission of God, and Youth Culture and the Gospel.