Rich Griffith

In a world full of voices vying for the attention and allegiance of our teens, Dr. Rich Griffith calls for parents and youth workers to become the biggest and most influential of those voices. Rooted in research and scripture, each chapter includes practical discussion guides for teaching teenagers to discern the message and intent of the many voices they hear. - Lee Barnett, D.Min., Ph.D., Vice Provost for Student Affairs, Continuing Education, and Strategic Academic Partnerships at Columbia Southern University. o Co-author, “Ministry with Youth in Crisis.” (2nd Ed.) “In this excellent resource, Rich Griffith reimagines parenting and ministry as the art of helping children and youth discern the numerous voices in their lives and develop their own voice along the way. This brilliant approach provides a unique perspective for parents and children/youth leaders alike. Filled with thought provoking questions Voices provides space for critical reflection on the noise filled culture that continually encircles our lives today.” - Dr. Mark Cannister, Ed. D., Professor of Christian Ministries, Gordon College. o Author, Teenagers Matter: Making Student Ministry a Priority in the Church (Youth, Family, and Culture) “Are you worried that God’s voice is being drowned out among our children and youth? How can the next generation hear God above the clamor of all the loud, competing noises in our world? My friend, Rich Griffith, has written a practical resource that offers parents and grandparents practical hope in the midst of worry. Rich reminds us that God is not panicking about the next generation. With seasoned wisdom, Rich wants to help you equip your kids to discern and pursue God’s plans.” - Dr. Ken Castor, Family & NextGen Pastor, Wooddale Church o Author, “Make a Difference: 365 World-Changing Devotions”, “Grow Down: How to Build a Jesus-Centered Faith”, “The Skinny on Discipleship: A Big Youth Ministry Topic in a Single Little Book” and Co-Author, “Imaginate: Unlocking Your Purpose with Creativity and Collaboration”. “In a day where multiple voices have instant access to our kids, how do we help them discern and listen to the voices that they need to grow and flourish? Dr. Rich Griffith helps us to recognize what impact the cultural voices have on the young, and how we can help them to pay attention to those voices that they need. Timely, vital, and practical, Rich offers us the ability to make a real difference in kids’ lives.” - Chap Clark, Ph.D., Executive Director, Institute for Ministry Leadership o Author, Hurt 2.0: Inside the World of Today’s Teenagers In Voices: Helping Our Children and Youth Listen to Wise Counsel, you will hear the heart of a father with three adopted teenage sons. You will hear his wide-hearted compassion for the growing number of youth being systemically dropped into the school-to-prison pipeline. You will hear the humble wisdom of a youth-ministry-veteran-turned-professor who has done his homework and now invites us not to give up on the wildly important work of building the kind of constellations of support, nurture and faith formation that every young person needs. - Mark DeVries, Founder of Ministry Architects, co-founder of Ministry Incubators and o Author of Family-Based Youth Ministry and Sustainable Youth Ministry. “Our kids are being discipled by multiple voices, and everybody is fighting for their voice to be the loudest. Who will win the ear of the next generations? Dr. Rich Griffith expertly exposes the folly of loud, cultural voices that feed our kids lies that never satisfy while encouraging the steady, wise voices of parents, mentors, and Truth. With insightful wisdom and practical tools, Voices is a must-have resource for parents and practitioners who desire to help kids discern those softer and wiser voices above the din of the noise around them.” - Dr. JJ Jones, MDiv., DMin., Pastor of Groups, Fellowship Bible Church, Nashville TN; Adjunct Professor, Youth Ministries, Toccoa Falls College “As a culture-watcher, I’ve seen and heard the voices competing for the attention and allegiance of our kids grow in number and volume. In a world calling our kids to “come and follow” on the wide road that leads to destruction, our kids need to hear and heed those voices that speak the message of the Master. . . the message that leads to life abundant and life eternal. Rich Griffith helps us know who is speaking, what they are speaking, and how we can best speak Truth with a capital T into the lives of our children and teens. This is a book that will increase your parenting effectiveness!” - Dr. Walt Mueller, The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding o Author, Youth Culture 101, Engaging The Soul of Youth Culture and Track: Navigating Culture: A Student’s Guide to Navigating Culture “What a helpful book! I found Griffiths framing (identification of the various voices influencing our children and youth; and categorizing some as "Big, Quiet Voices" and some as "Small, Loud Voices") particularly helpful, and will be using this in my work. - Mark Oestreicher, Founder, The Youth Cartel. o Author of many books “Careful the things you say, children will listen,” sang the Witch in the Broadway musical, Into the Woods. Children and youth do listen, but who are they listening to? In Rich Griffith’s book, Voices: Helping Our Children and Youth Listen to Wise Counsel, parents and all who spend time with children and youth will learn a lot about who kids are listening to these days and why. Adults will also learn their voices matter, and Griffith shows us how to cut through the noise of the competing voices and speak so our children and youth will listen. - Dr. Robb Redman, Ph.D. o Professor and Director of Ministry Programs, South College Director, Worship Leader Institute This practical and clear call to pay attention to our teens is much needed. Teens are listening to many voices. Dr. Griffith helps us engage our teens and the voices that vie for their attention. Lively stories are mixed with biblical insight, research, and true wisdom that parents and those who care for teens should hear and heed. - Dr. Mike Severe Ph.D. Professor of Christian Ministries, Taylor University. o Co-Author, “Ministry with Youth in Crisis” (2nd Ed.)