Youth ministry and leadership in the world evangelical mission international (South Africa) : an inclusive ministry approach
Year: 2013
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This dissertation begins with the problem that local church leaders, Sunday school teachers \nand adult youth leaders do not have a holistic understanding of what youth ministry is or how \nto start with youth ministry. And there is a wide gap between adults and the youth because \nthey do not have enough information about today’s youth. \nYouth ministry has been viewed as something separate from the main church. But the \ninclusive congregational approach is that youth ministry is part of a comprehensive \ncongregational ministry with a differentiated and focused way, to, with and through youth as \nan integral part of the church. \nThis dissertation looks into the literature on theories of child development, today’s youth, \nfamily, mentoring, and confirmation to understand youth in the church. Church leaders and \nteachers need enough information about the youth and must be aware of the youth’s \ndevelopmental needs. Especially church leaders and teachers must work with the parents of \nthe youth to focus on strong Christian education to connect the generations. They have to \nrespond to the youth’s crucial questions and issues of today. Then the youth can find what \nGod intends them to become. \nThis research focused on 73 church leaders and teachers in 11 WEMI (World Evangelical \nMission International) churches in South Africa. A high percentage of the respondents \nunderstood the concept of youth ministry. But their main problem or difficulty remained the \nlack of training to understand youth and the biblical text. \nThe results of empirical research presented the actual condition of youth ministry in WEMI \nchurches in South Africa. The churches have to prepare intentional and strategic training for \nteachers to get enough information about today’s youth, teaching and communication skill, \nleadership development, counselling and knowledge of the Bible. \nWhen the church leaders and teachers are equipped and trained for God’s work, the youth \nministry will be built up strongly in the local church, and the youth will find themselves as \nthe body of Christ.
Author: Hyunok Yi
Language: English
Subfield: Religious studies
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W993392