For more than 50 years, relational or incarnational ministry has been a major focus in youth ministry. But for too long, those relationships have been used as tools---as a means to an end---where adults try to influence students to accept, know, trust, believe, or participate in something. While our motives may be good, it's possible that by focusing on these goals, we're not ministering the whole person. When we choose not to engage in the full life of a student, we run the risk of failing them and our ministry. In this thoughtful and insightful book, Andrew Root challenges us to reconsider our motives and begin to consider simply being with and doing life alongside teenagers with no agenda other than to love them right where they are, by place-sharing. As he shares stories of his (and others') successes and failures in relational youth ministry, you'll find practical ideas to help you recreate the role of relationships in your youth ministry. If you're involved in the lives of teenagers, whether as a youth pastor, volunteer youth worker, church leader, or parent, you'll want to read this book and work together to discover the value of place-sharing in the lives of teens. You'll see that it's time to tear down the old structure of relational youth ministry and start again.Editorial ReviewsReviewRelationships Unfiltered is especially well designed for volunteer leadership teams with thoughtful discussion questions for each chapter. If you only have time to read through one book with your leadership team this year---this is the one! -- Youth Worker Journal (Youth Worker Journal )About the AuthorAndrew Root is assistant professor of youth and family ministry at Luther Seminary (St. Paul, MN). He is the author of Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry: From a Strategy of Influence to a Theology of Incarnation (IVP, 2007). He has worked in congregations, para-church ministries and social service programs. He lives in St. Paul with his wife Kara, two children (Owen and Maisy), and their two dogs (Kirby and Kimmel). When not reading, writing, or teaching, Andy spends far too much time watching TV and movies.