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Toward a Theology of Youth Ministry and Its Praxis in the Local Church

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Toward a Theology of Youth Ministry and Its Praxis in the Local Church Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertation Projects DMin Graduate Research 1997 Toward A Theology Of Youth Ministry And Its Praxis In The Local Church Luis Fernando Ortiz Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin Part of the Practical Theology Commons Recommended Citation Ortiz, Luis Fernando, "Toward A Theology Of Youth Ministry And Its Praxis In The Local Church" (1997). Dissertation Projects DMin. 398. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin/398 This Project Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertation Projects DMin by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT TOWARD A THEOLOGY OF YOUTH MINISTRY AND ITS PRAXIS IN THE LOCAL CHURCH by Luis Fernando Ortiz Adviser: Nancy Vyhmeister ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: TOWARD A THEOLOGY OF YOUTH MINISTRY AND ITS PRAXIS IN THE LOCAL CHURCH Name of researcher: Luis Fernando Ortiz Name and degree of faculty adviser: Nancy Vyhmeister, Ed.D. Date completed: July 1997 Problem In many Seventh-day Adventist churches in North America patterns of non­ involvement among the youth were observed. Young people were attending church on Sabbath, but almost none of them were leaders. The objective of this dissertation was to identify biblical principles for the development of a youth ministry in which leaders build responsible servant leaders and encourage young people to grow, learn, and use their gifts in Christian ministry. Method The Scriptures were searched for a biblical background for youth work and principles for successful youth involvement. The word “youth” was analyzed in the Old and New Testaments together with the activities and duties of the youth. The contemporary problems that hinder successful youth ministry were identified, and sound solutions were found in the incamational ministry of Jesus. Three bilingual churches with a high level of youth involvement were studied and evaluated to identify the mechanisms of their success. Lastly, these principles were applied and suggestions given for youth leaders to create an effective ministry based on the “Old Testament Paradigm of Youth Ministry.” Results In the Old Testament youth were respected, trusted, and highly regarded. Responsibilities such as being king, prophet, minister, and priest were given them, showing trust and willingness to form their characters in service. A different spectrum was found in the New Testament where youth were generally regarded as inexperienced, immature, and unfit for leadership. Young leaders were more the exception than the rule. For example Timothy was advised: “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young” (1 Tim 4:12); and on another occasion the church at Corinth was told to “see to it that Timothy has nothing to fear while he is with you” (1 Cor 16:10), speaking clearly of the lack of support and implying the difficulty that churches had in working with young leaders. An exception to the lack of trust in the youth in the New Testament is the incamational ministry of Jesus Christ who used the same principles outlined in the Old Testament. The three successful North American youth programs investigated had also applied the principles of the “Old Testament Paradigm of Youth Ministry.” Conclusions Applied in the local church the “Old Testament Paradigm of Youth Ministry,” including the elements of trust, involvement, equipping, and empowerment, will not only prepare youth for the ministry, but will reproduce leadership in others. The emphasis of the Old Testament Paradigm and the incamational ministry of Jesus Christ is not so much in evangelizing as in reproducing. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary TOWARD A THEOLOGY OF YOUTH MINISTRY AND ITS PRAXIS IN THE LOCAL CHURCH A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Luis Fernando Ortiz July 1997 TOWARD A THEOLOGY OF YOUTH MINISTRY AND ITS PRAXIS IN THE LOCAL CHURCH A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Ministry by Luis Fernando Ortiz APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: HicmM wrtoi/i tdviser Director of D. Min. Program Nancy/V yhmeister Ricardo Norton Date approved TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS......................................................................................... vi Chapter I. INTRODUCTION............................................................................................ 1 Statement of the Project ............................................................................ 3 Justification of the Project.......................................................................... 3 Description of the Process.......................................................................... 4 II. YOUTH IN THE B IB L E ................................................................................ 6 Biblical Words for “Youth” ...................................................................... 7 Naar ................................................................................................... 7 N eo s...................................................................................................... 9 Implications ......................................................................................... 11 Roles of Youth in the Bible ...................................................................... 12 Youth as Political Leaders ................................................................... 13 Youth as Prophets................................................................................ 18 Youth as Priests .................................................................................. 21 A Portrait of Youth in the Bible .............................................................. 23 Devotion .............................................................................................. 24 Reliability ............................................................................................ 30 Valor ................................................................................................... 32 III. OBSTACLES TO EFFECTIVE YOUTH MINISTRY ................................ 36 Leader-centered Ministry .......................................................................... 37 Building Numbers Instead of People .......................................................... 40 Lack of Intentionality ................................................................................ 42 Ignoring the Psychological Needs of Young People.................................. 43 The Need for a Sense of Community and Deeper Relationships .............................................................. 45 The Need to Be Appreciated and Loved .............................................. 47 The Need to Be Heard .......................................................................... 48 Spiritual Needs and Faith Growth ........................................................ 49 iii IV. INCARNATIONAL MODEL FOR YOUTH MINISTRY 53 Presence...................................................................................................... 55 In Christ’s Life ............................................................................ .. 55 With Individuals ...................................................................... .. 56 In Religious Events........................................................................ 56 In the Community .................................................................. ........ 57 In Youth Ministry ................................................................................ 59 With Individuals ............................................................................ 59 In Religious Events ........................................................................ 60 In the Community .......................................................................... 61 Servant Leadership .............................................................................. .. 62 In Christ’s Life .................................................................................... 62 In Youth Ministry ................................................................................ 64 Holistic Care .............................................................................................. 66 In Christ’s Life .................................................................................... 66 In Youth Ministry ................................................................................ 67 Discipleship................................................................................................ 68 In Christ’s Life .......................................................................... ....: .. 68 Engaging........................................................................................ 70 Explaining...................................................................................... 70 Empowering .................................................................................. 71 Evangelizing .................................................................................. 72 In Youth Ministry ...............................................................................
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