MTH DEGREE THESIS PROPOSAL
Thesis Title:
Contemporary Models of Youth Ministry: An analysis of various contemporary models of church-based youth ministry – with special reference to models based on levels of spiritual commitment.
Objectives/Need for Study:
Youth ministry as an academic discipline has, until recently, not being widely recognised in South Africa. There is a need for youth workers in South Africa to pursue postgraduate studies in the area of youth ministry. In terms of my thesis title, a number of youth ministry models have been developed in recent years and implemented both locally and internationally. Many of the models are based on a common philosophical foundation, namely, targeting youth ministry at levels of spiritual commitment. This will be the first effort at drawing parallels between at least half a dozen contemporary models of youth ministry. The thesis will develop a way of classifying the models and identify foundational principles, which will help youth workers to develop their own approach to youth ministry. The writer has developed a tentative theory that there is a widespread foundation for contemporary youth ministry models based on levels of spiritual commitment. This theory will be confirmed or rejected on the basis of the research. Until now, someone will have great success in youth ministry, try to figure out what led to that success, put a scripture by each principle, and present it as "THE biblical model of youth ministry." Yet they don't compare it to other models or even include serious endnotes showing that they are even aware of other approaches. Serious research in this area will help move us closer to truth on this vital subject.
The Objectives in Outline:
1. Identify six (or more) contemporary youth ministry models.
2. To describe each of the models in details.
3. To identify the principles on which the models are based.
4. To develop a way of categorising the models.
5. An approach for youth ministry in the 21st century will be suggested
Questions to Answer
1. What is a model of youth ministry?
2. What contemporary models of youth ministry can be considered?
3. Do these models cross cultural boundaries, or do they rest on certain cultural assumptions?
4. Do these models apply to both large and small churches?
5. Do these models apply equally in different economic areas and regions of the world?
6. What are the underlying principles on which a model should be based?
7. Is there a terminology that can be created to categorise many contemporary models?
8. Is there a framework that will guide youth workers as they develop local model of ministry?
Research Approaches and Methods:
The writer will describe a number of contemporary models of youth ministry from two sources: (1) books that have been written by those who have developed the models; and (2) interaction with each of the proponents of the models via email or direct contact. Each model will be investigated to identify the principles on which it is based. These principles will be compared and some conclusions drawn as to the common set of philosophical foundations resulting in each model's design and implementation.
Proposed Work Plan:
My plan of research involves the following steps with dates indicated:
1. Selection of the models to be evaluated (completed by the end of August 2000).
2. Research and detailing of each model from written and personal sources (completed by the end of July 2001 – a chapter for each model will be set aside in the thesis). I will personally visit each of the main contexts in which the models have been implemented during a trip to the States and/or the UK in January 2001.
3. Identification of common principles behind the models (completed by the end of September.
4. Development of a new approach to categorising models of youth ministry (completed by the end of November 2001).
List of Models to Consider Researching:
* Sonlife Strategy: Growing a Healthy Church; Strategy Seminar
* Cultivation Strategy: Frank Mercadante: Growing Teen Disciples http://www.ymnetwork.net/cultivation/Cultstrategy.html cultivation@earthlink.net
* Willow Creek Strategy: Student Ministry for the 21st Century by Bo Boshers
http://www.willowcreek.com/student/news_house/impact_history.html
* Windsor Fellowship Strategy: http://www.btc.co.za/model/den/index.htm
* Malibu Church of Christ Strategy: http://malibucofc.pepperdine.edu/ministry.htm
* Cornerstone United Methodist Church Strategy: http://www.cornerstonechurch.org/method.htm
* Duffy Robbins 'Funnel' Strategy: Youth Ministry That Works
* Trinity Evangelical Free Church, Ripon, WI: http://www.infoplane.com/~rob/trinity/
* Saddleback Community Church Strategy: Purpose Driven Youth Ministry
http://www.dougfields.com/
* Mark Senter's Strategy, in Relational Youthwork, (edited by Pete Ward): http://www.btc.co.za/model/msmodel.htm
* Graeme Codrington's Spiritual Growth Strategy: http://home.pix.za/gc/gc12/mymodel.htm
* First Baptist Church Student Ministry Strategy: http://home.naxs.com/fbc/students.html
* Reachout Strategy: Various Reachout Publications by Barry St. Clair and Reachout Solutions.
Preliminary Book List:
Barna, George. Evangelism That Works. California: Regal, 1995.
Barna, George. Generation Next: What You Need to Know About Today's Youth. California: Regal, 1995.
Bertolini, Dewey. Back to the Heart of Youth Work. USA: Victor, 1994.
Borgman, Dean. When Kumbaya Is Not Enough: A Practical Theology for Youth Ministry. Massachusetts: Hendrickson, 1997.
Boshers, Bo. Student Ministry for the 21st Century. Michigan: Zondervan, 1997.
Breen, Mike. Outside In: Reaching Un-Churched Young People Today. London: Scripture Union, 1993.
Brierley, Peter. Reaching and Keeping Teenagers. England: MARC, 1993.
Buckeridge, John. Nurturing Young Disciples. London: Marshall Pickering, 1995.
Burns, Jim. The Youth Builder: Today's Resource for Relational Youth Ministry. Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 1988.
Burns, Ridge, and Campbell, Pam. Create in me a Youth Ministry. Illinois: Victor Books, 1994.
Celek, Tim & Zander, Dieter. Inside the Soul of a New Generation: Insights and Strategies for Reaching Busters. Michigan: Zondervan, 1996.v
Coleman, Robert. The Master Plan of Evangelism
Dettoni, John. An Introduction to Youth Ministry. Michigan: Zondervan, 1993.
DeVries, Mark. Family-Based Youth Ministry. Illinois: IVP, 1994.
Drane, John. Faith in a Changing Culture. London: Marshall Pickering, 1997.
Dunn, Richard and Senter, Mark. Reaching a Generation for Christ : A Comprehensive Guide to Youth Ministry. Chicago: Moody, 1997.
Eims, Leroy. The Lost Art of Discipleship. Colorado: Navpress, 1978.
Farley, Ross. Strategy for Youth Leaders. New South Wales: Scripture Union, 1991.
Fields, Doug. Purpose Driven Youth Ministry. Michigan: Zondervan, 1997.
Ford, Kevin. Jesus for a New Generation: Reaching Out to Today's Young Adults. Illinois: Hodder & Stoughton, 1996.
Francis, Lesllie, Ed. Fast Moving Currents in Youth Culture. England: Lynx, 1995.
Getz, Gene. Sharpening the Focus of the Church
Goddard, Hule and Acevedo, Jorge. The Heart of Youth Ministry. Wilmore, KY: Bristol Books, 1989.
Gribbon, Robert. Developing Faith in Young Adults. New York: Alban Institute, 1990.
Hahn, Todd and Verhaagen, David. GenXers After God. Michigan: Baker, 1998.
Hawkins, Don. Master Discipleship. Michigan: Kregel, 1996.
Hershey, Terry. Young Adult Ministry. Colorado: Group; 1986.
Hickford, Andy. Essential Youth. Eastbourne: Kingsway,1998.
Hutchcraft, Ron. The Battle for a Generation, Chicago: Moody, 1996.
Hybels, Lynne & Bill. Rediscovering Church. Michigan: Zondervan, 1995.
Kitching, Deon & Robbins, Duffy (editors), Youth Ministry: The Basics and Beyond, South Africa, Youth Specialties (SA), 1997.
Long, Jimmy. Generating Hope. Illinois: IVP, 1997.
Mayo, Bob. Gospel Exploded: Reaching the Unreached. London: Triangle, 1996.
McAllister, Dawson. Saving the Millennial Generation. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1999.
Mercadante, Frank. Growing Teen Disciples. Indiana: Ave Maria Press, 1998.
Murphy, Trop and Anderson, Kim. Programming With Purpose: Developing a Process for Programming. Michigan: Zondervan, 1997.
Myers, William. Black and White Styles of Youth Ministry. New York: Pilgrim, 1991.
Myers, William. Theological Themes of Youth Ministry. New York: Pilgrim, 1987.
Richards, Lawrence. Children's Ministry. Michigan: Zondervan, 1983.
Richards, Lawrence. Youth Ministry. Michigan: Zondervan; 1972.
Rice, Wayne; Clark, Chap and others. New Directions for Youth Ministry. Colorado: Group Books, 1998.
Robbins, Duffy. The Ministry of Nurture. Youth Specialties, 1990.
Robbins, Duffy. Youth Ministry that Works. USA, Victor Books, 1991.
Robbins, Duffy. Youth Ministry Nuts & Bolts. Michigan: Zondervan, 1990.
Roehlkepartain, Eugene. Youth Ministry in City Churches. Colorado: Group, 1989.
Schaller, Lyle. Building an Effective Youth Ministry. Nashville: Abingdon, 1979.
Schaller, Lyle. Keys to Building Youth Ministry. Nashville: Abingdon, 1988.
Schultz, Thom. Involving Youth. Colorado: Group, 1987.
Schwartz, Christian. Natural Church Development. Illinois: ChurchSmart Resources, 1996.
Spader, Dann and Mayes, Gary. Growing a Healthy Church, Chicago, Moody, 1994.
Stevens, Doug. Called to Care. Michigan: Zondervan, 1985.
Trimmer, Edward. Youth Ministry Handbook. Nashville: Abingdon, 1994.
Ward, Pete. The Church and Youth Ministry. England: Lynx, 1995.
Ward, Pete. God at the Mall. Massachusetts: Hendrickson, 1999.
Ward, Pete. Growing up Evangelical: Youthwork and the Making of a Subculture. London: SPCK, 1996.
Ward, Pete. Mass Culture: Eucharist and Mission in a Post-modern World. Oxford, Bible Reading Fellowship, 1999.
Ward, Pete. Relational Youthwork. England: Lynx, 1995.
Ward, Pete. Youth Culture and the Gospel. London, Marshall Pickering, 1992.
Ward, Pete. Youthwork and the Mission of God. England: SPCK, 1997.
Ward, Pete. Worship and Youth Culture. London, Marshall Pickering, 1993.
Warren, Rick. The Purpose Driven Church. Michigan: Zondervan, 1995.
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