Liberty University School of Divinity Youth Decline in Church Growth and Attendance A Thesis Project Submitted to The Faculty of Liberty University School of Divinity in Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Ministry By Marion D. Jones Lynchburg, Virginia January 8, 2020 Copyright © 2020 by Marion D. Jones All Rights Reserved ii Liberty University School of Divinity Thesis Project Approval Sheet _______________________________________ Mario Garcia, Jr., D. Min. Assistant Professor Department of Community Care and Counseling School of Behavioral Sciences _______________________________________ Daphne Washington, Ph.D. Adjunct Professor Department of Counselor Education and Family Studies School of Behavioral Sciences iii iv Doctor of Ministry Thesis Project Abstract YOUTH DECLINE IN CHURCH GROWTH AND ATTENDANCE Marion D. Jones Liberty University School of Divinity, 2020 Mentor: Dr. Mario Garcia, Jr. Youth attendance in the church has declined in the recent past. The reason for their decline is that they no longer find a church to be socially and spiritually relevant to their lives. The paper seeks to provide a solution to the problem through spiritual formation and increasing the depth of youth programs so that they can remain socially relevant to the lives of the young people. This will be done by encouraging youth people to know who Jesus is and how to have a personal relationship with him through faith. Abstract Length: 95 words v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I thank God for giving me the strength and resources to complete one more milestone in my life for his glory. I am also deeply appreciative of the support from family, friends, the church, and the mentor and reader of the project, Dr. Mario Garcia, Jr., and Dr. Daphne Washington, respectively. To my fellow classmate Jeffrey Boone, a great friend you are. vi Contents Chapter One Introduction .........................................................................................................................................1 1.1 Overall Background ........................................................................................................................................1 1.2 Ministry Context .............................................................................................................................................3 1.3 Problem Presented ........................................................................................................................................14 1.4 Purpose Statement ........................................................................................................................................16 1.5 Basic Assumptions .......................................................................................................................................17 1.6 Definitions ....................................................................................................................................................19 1.7 Limitations and Delimitations ......................................................................................................................22 1.7.1 Limitations .............................................................................................................................................22 1.7.2 Delimitations .........................................................................................................................................22 1.8 Thesis Statement ...........................................................................................................................................23 1.9 Organization of the Study .............................................................................................................................24 Chapter Two Foundations / Models ......................................................................................................................25 2.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................25 2.2 Literature Review .........................................................................................................................................26 2.2.1 Factors Contributing to the Decline in Youth Church Attendance ........................................................26 2.2.2 Views of the Youth Concerning Modern Church Leadership ...............................................................31 2.2.3 Influence of Technology in Youth’s Perception on Relevance of Church ............................................35 2.3 Theoretical Review .......................................................................................................................................38 2.3.1 Technological Determinism Theory ......................................................................................................38 2.3.2 Cooperation and Collaboration………………………………………………………………………..41 2.3.3 Foundations of Experiential Preference………………………………………………………………..45 2.4 Theological Foundations ..............................................................................................................................48 2.4.1 Spiritual Formation ................................................................................................................................49 2.4.2 Family Ministry .....................................................................................................................................52 2.4.3 Leading through Relationships ..............................................................................................................54 2.4.4 Missiology .............................................................................................................................................55 2.5 Chapter Summary .........................................................................................................................................57 Chapter Three Methodology ...................................................................................................................................58 3.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................58 3.2 Intervention Design ......................................................................................................................................58 3.2.1 Philosophical Stance ..............................................................................................................................60 3.2.2 Research Design ....................................................................................................................................63 3.2.3 Nature and Source of Data .....................................................................................................................64 3.2.4 Target Population ..................................................................................................................................65 vii 3.2.5 Sample Size ...........................................................................................................................................66 3.2.6 Sampling Technique ..............................................................................................................................67 3.3 Implementation of Intervention Design ........................................................................................................68 3.3.1 Data Collection Instruments and Procedure ..........................................................................................68 3.3.2 Data Triangulation .................................................................................................................................71 3.3.3 Pilot Test ................................................................................................................................................74 3.3.4 Data Analysis Techniques .....................................................................................................................75 3.3.5 Conceptual Framework ..........................................................................................................................76 3.3.6 Merits of Chosen Methodology .............................................................................................................79 3.3.7 Demerits of Chosen Methodology .........................................................................................................80 3.3.8 Limitations of Chosen Methodology .....................................................................................................80 3.3.9 Ethical Considerations ...........................................................................................................................81 3.4 Chapter Summary .........................................................................................................................................83 Chapter Four Results Presentation .........................................................................................................................84 4.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................84 4.2 Interview Results ..........................................................................................................................................84