Mike Yaconelli was the founder and owner of Youth Specialties as well as the pastor of what he dubbed “the slowest growing church in America”. I never really knew much about the man until after he passed away in 2003. About a year ago I bought and read his book Messy Spirituality, which I coffee shop talking with you. There is no doubt that Mike not only loves Jesus with his whole being, but that he also loves God’s people as well. That is really the heart of what Mike is saying in this book.

Mike encourages you to jump first and fear later. He also doesn’t want people to forget that Jesus tells us to become like a child and Mike explores that idea in this book. I found myself at times getting into some very mischievous moods, because he would talk about playing and having fun like children do and then being reminded of the importance of fearing God. There is such a healthy balance of that that needs to be maintained. It reminds me of what Rick Warren likes to say about not taking ourselves serious, but taking God serious.

Mike does another great job of writing and I would encourage you to pick up this book and give it a read. You won’t regret it and you might just find yourself indulging in a little irresponsible passion. I posted a YouTube video below that is a tribute to Mike Yaconelli that will give you a little bit of an idea of his message to youth workers.