Factors for Successful Adolescent Ministry in the Local Church Today

222 Pages·2009·3.95 MB·English

by  Steve Vandegriff

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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, Departmientt o:f Church
Ministries
Professor of Youth Ministries
Liberty Univers.
J~~-
READER, Dr. Frank Schmitt
Professor of Educational Studies
Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary
lj;Wtzb
~1-
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?