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Factors for Successful Adolescent Ministry in the Local Church Today

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Factors for Successful Adolescent Ministry in the Local Church Today ---.." LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY F ACTORS FOR SUCCESSFUL ADOLESCENT MINISTRY IN THE LOCAL CHURCH TODAY A Thesis Proposal Submitted to Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary In fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF MINISTRY By Steve Vandegriff Lynchburg, Virginia May, 2001 Copyright @200 1 - by Steve Vandegriff All rights reserved LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY THESIS PROJECT APPROVAL SHEET A -- GRADE MENTOR, Dr. Lee Vukich, Chair, Department of Church Ministries Professor of Youth Ministries Liberty Univers.it: J~~- READER, Dr. Frank Schmitt Professor of Educational Studies Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary ~1- lj;Wtzb READER, Dr. Elmer Towns, Dean, School of Religion Liberty University 111 ABSTRACT FACTORS FOR SUCCESSFUL ADOLESCENT MINISTRY IN THE LOCAL CHURCH TODAY Steve R. Vandegriff Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, 2001 Mentor: Dr. Lee Vukich . The purpose of this project is to wade through a number of ideologies and practices that pose as successful in the venue of local church ministry and identify those factors that truly reflect success. This will be based upon surveying several prominent veteran youth workers. The identified factors will be a reflection of the larger picture of youth ministry. There will also be some prognoses as to where youth ministry is headed in the near future. Abstract length: 99 words IV DEDICATION This is dedicated to my wife, Pamela Jo, and to my kids, Joshua, Vanessa, and Jonathan. Their patience through this process has been very much appreciated. I would also like to dedicate this to my Mom and Dad. They have always been excited every step of the way. A special thanks to Dr. Frank Schmitt for "adopting" me during my early seminary years. I continue to reap the benefits of that "adoption." I would also like to thank my colleagues: Dr. Lee Vukich and Dr. Elmer Towns for their support and encouragement. A special thanks needs to be expressed to Linda Elliott for her masterful job of editing and formatting this thesis and to Daniel Broyles for getting the typing of this thesis started and to Jabez Kong for his contributions. v CONTENTS ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................. iv CONTENTS ............................................................................................................. vi CHAPTER 1 ............................................................................................................. 1 INTRODUCTION Purpose of the Study Methodology Sample Survey Questions Statement of the Problem Limitations Definition of Terms Used in this Study A Review of the Literature The Biblical Basis ofthis Thesis CHAPTER 2 ........................................................................................................... 16 A PHILOSOPHY OF YOUTH MINISTRY Erroneous Philosophies The Need for Youth Ministry What is Success in Youth Ministry Goals and Objectives of Youth Ministry Sunday Morning Sunday School Conclusion CHAPTER 3 ........................................................................................................... 37 THE YOUTH MINISTER Introduction What the Youth Minister Is Not The Biblical Basis for the Youth Minister's Position in the Local Church Qualifications Conclusion CHAPTER 4 ........................................................................................................... 53 THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SENIOR PASTOR AND YOUTH PASTOR Downside Of The Pastor's Position What to Look for in a Pastor How Should a Pastor Handle His Youth Pastor? What Questions to Ask VI How to Treat Your Senior Pastor Conclusion CHAPTER 5 ....................................................................................... ··· ... ················ 74 THE PROGRAM-CENTERED MINISTRY VERSUS THE INDIVIDUAL-CENTERED MINISTRY Characteristics of a Program-Centered Ministry Characteristics of An Individual-Centered Ministry Which Extreme Should Be Followed? Level of Holiness Conclusion CHAPTER 6 ...................................................................................... 89 PHILOSOPHY OF ACTIVITIES The Evangelistic Activity Discipleship Activities Youth Camp Athletics Conclusion CHAPTER 7 ..................................................................................... 102 REACHING THE UNREACHABLES Counseling Services Sponsoring Program Sponsorship Program Rules Conclusion CHAPTER 8 .................................................................................... 116 THE YOUTH MINISTER'S WIFE Introduction Qualifications of a Youth Minister's Wife False Expectations Priorities Conclusion CHAPTER 9 .................................................................................... 129 WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS IN YOUTHMINISTRY A Historical Background Trends in Society The Sheer Numbers The Disappearance of Adolescence Post -modernity Future Trends And Changes In Youth Ministry Conclusion VB APPENDIX A ....................................................................................................... 166 Volunteer staff regulations of the San Fernando Valley Juvenile Hall APPENDIX B ....................................................................................................... 168 A Suggested List of Web Sites for the Youth Minister APPENDIX C ....................................................................................................... 173 A Suggested List of Periodicals for the Youth Minister's Reading APPENDIX D ....................................................................................................... 176 Miscellaneous APPENDIX E ....................................................................................................... 193 Sample Survey Questions APPENDIX F ......................................................................................................... 195 Youth Pastor Job Descriptions BIBLIOGRAPHy ................................................................................................. 203 VITA ....................................................................................................................... 214 Vlll CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION We are living in an age where change is the only aspect of life that is consistent. Human interests change just as constantly, with interests changing from the nuclear power plant dilemma to the price of a gallon of gas. It is inevitable that when society changes, the local church follows suit, sooner or later. Change is always a long and many times, a painful experience for the church. The . machinery of denominationalism and tradition are usually the restrictive forces during change. With our hindsight being better than our foresight, we can see that the local church has made some dramatic changes. There are churches that have grown from small clusters of people meeting in an abandoned store into congregations of thousands meeting in auditoriums equipped with the latest in electronic wizardry. The church is no longer a one-room building with its entire ministry centering around the pastor. Instead, the church has developed into a complex, multi-faceted ministry in an attempt to meet the unique needs of people. It is one of the facets of local church ministry that this writer will deal with, the facet of youth ministry. There is no doubt that youth ministry has changed simply by the fact that what it took to reach young people twenty years ago, no longer works today. Not only have methods changed, but philosophy of youth ministry has also changed. 1 2 Youth ministry philosophy is made up of what we think are priorities in youth mi~istry and the reasons to support them. Purpose of the Study Because of all these changes in local church youth ministries, there has arisen the need for an updated exposition of factors for success in this area. There will be a fine line between philosophy and practicum of youth ministry as it is discussed. They are inseparable. You cannot have one without the other. Philosophy determines what the practicum will be; practicum reflects what your philosophy is. The purpose of this study is to identify factors that will contribute to success in youth ministry. This study will contribute in the following ways: 1. It will establish the youth minister's position as one to be held in high esteem, along with the senior pastor; and will show the need for maximum personal preparation by the youth minister. 2. It will establish a medium between program and person-oriented ministries. 3. It will give practical suggestions for activities, evangelistic opportunities, and areas of separation or holiness. 4. It will prepare the youth minister for changes in youth ministry in the coming years. This study will attempt to answer the following questions: 1. What are the qualifications of a youth pastor, and is his position valid according to' Scripture? 2. What ideology should you accept, all programming or all discipleship? 3 3. What is a balanced philosophy of youth ministry? 4. What is the relationship between the senior pastor and youth pastor? 5. What is a balanced philosophy of holiness? 6. What trends can we expect? In 1980, this author wrote a thesis entitled, "Factors for Successful Adolescent Ministry in the Local Church Today." Twenty years later, there have been quantum leaps, with regards to changes in our culture and society. These changes have had direct impact and influence on young people, as well as those youth leaders/pastors/directors who try to minister to them. Ministry experiences can give ostentatious
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