A Descriptive Study of Youth Ministry Models in Evangelical Churches
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-T Guillermin Library Liberty University Lynchburg, VA 24502 LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF YOUTH MINISTRY MODELS IN EVANGELICAL CHURCHES A thesis project submitted to Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF MINISTRY By Douglas Hunter Randlett Palm Beach Gardens, Florida March, 2000 Copyright 2000 Douglas H. Randlett All Rights Reserved 11 LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY THESIS PROJECT APPROVAL SHEET GRADE MENTOR 111 -s ABSTRACT A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF YOUTH MINISTRY MODELS IN EVANGELICAL CHURCHES Douglas H. Randlett Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, 2000 Mentor: Dr. Elmer L. Towns The purpose of this thesis is to examine six accepted church ministry models that have evidenced themselves in the evangelical church within the last twenty years. The project will analyze and apply these models to youth ministry. Based upon surveys and follow up interviews administered to alumni ofthe Liberty University Youth Ministry program and youth leaders associated with the Center for Youth Ministry at Liberty, the project will be a descriptive study of these models in representative youth ministries. An in depth interview will be conducted with each youth ministry that best represents the dominant model. An observation report will be constructed on each youth ministry chosen to present the data collected and to summarize each representative model in relation to youth ministry. A final summary will be constructed to present key observations, analysis and recommendations. This descriptive study is presented so that these youth ministry models might assist youth ministry students in making better church site choices. Abstract length: 185 words. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT......................................................................................................... IV CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION................................................................... 8 Background and Rationale... .................................................................... 8 The Problem............................................................................................. 10 Definition of Terms................................................ .................................. 12 Limitations........................... .................................................................... 14 Biblical Basis........................................... ................................................ 16 Methodology............................................................ ................................ 17 Review of Literature............ .......................... .......................................... 21 CHAPTER TWO: THE BIBLE EXPOSITIONAL MODEL................................ 27 Choosing the Representative Youth Ministry.......................................... 29 Interview with Dathan Brown, Junior High Pastor, First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton, California........................................................ 32 Demographics............................................................................... 32 Church Property............................................................................ 33 Focus of Services.......................................................................... 34 Youth Pastof................................................................................. 35 Staffing......................................................................................... 37 Programs....................................................................................... 40 Youth Ministry Resources................. ... ........................................ 46 Self-Assessed Strengths and Weaknesses.................................... 47 Summary...................................................................................... 48 CHAPTER THREE: THE BODY LIFE MODEL............................................... 50 Choosing the Representative Youth Ministry.......................................... 53 Interview with Rick Countryman, Pastor of Student Ministries, Big Valley Grace Community Church, Modesto, California.......................... 55 Demographics............................................................................... 55 Church Property............................................................................ 56 Focus of Services.......................................................................... 57 Pastor of Student Ministries......................................................... 58 Staffing......................................................................................... 59 Programs................ .............. ......................................................... 60 Youth Ministry Resources............................................................ 67 v Self-Assessed Strengths................................................................ 67 Self-Assessed Weaknesses........................................................... 68 Summary....................................................................................... 69 CHAPTER FOUR: THE CONGREGATIONAL MODEL................................... 70 Choosing the Representative Youth Ministry.......................................... 73 Interview with Jamie Strange, Youth Pastor, First Baptist Church of Lenoir City, Tennessee............................................................................. 76 Demographics............................................................................... 76 Church Property............................................................................ 77 Focus of Services.......................................................................... 78 Youth Pastor................................................................................. 79 Staffing... ........................ .............................................................. 80 Programs....................................................................................... 81 Youth Ministry Resources.......................................... .................. 86 Self-Assessed Strengths................................................................ 86 Self-Assessed Weaknesses........................................................... 87 Summary....................................................................................... 87 CHAPTER FIVE: THE EVANGELISTIC MODEL............................................ 88 Choosing the Representative Youth Ministry.......................................... 91 Interview with Jeff Murphy, Senior High Youth Pastor, Cascade Hills Baptist Church, Columbus, Georgia...................................... ............ ....... 95 Demographics............................................................................... 95 Church Property............................................................................ 96 Focus of Services.......................................................................... 97 Youth Pastor................................................................................. 98 Staffing............ ............................................................................. 99 Programs....................................................................................... 100 Youth Ministry Resources................................................ ............ 104 Self-Assessed Strengths................................................................ 105 Self-Assessed Weaknesses........................................................... 106 Summary....................................................................................... 107 CHAPTER SIX: THE RENEWAL MODEL........................................................ 109 Choosing the Representative Youth Ministry.......................................... 112 Interview with Steve Rowe, Youth Pastor, Jesus Chapel Fellowship, El Paso, Texas.......................................................................................... 116 Demographics............................................................................... 116 Church Property............................................................................ 117 VI Focus of Services.......................................................................... 118 Youth Pastor................................................................................. 120 Staffing......................................................................................... 121 Programs....................................................................................... 122 Youth Ministry Resources.................... ........................................ 125 Self-Assessed Strengths and Weaknesses.................................... 126 Summary....................................................................................... 127 CHAPTER SEVEN: THE LITURGICAL MODEL............................................. 128 Why no Representative Youth Ministry Model for the Liturgical ModeL....................................................................................................... 130 Liberty University Youth Ministry Philosophical ModeL................ ........ 134 Summary................................................................................................... 142 CHAPTER EIGHT: SUMMARY OF THE MODELS .................................. ;...... 143 General Observations from the Survey Population.................................. 143 General Observations