The assumption of the study was that children are capable of an intimate and real relationship with God. The question that is often asked is, "How does the church best help children to grow in that relationship?" The lack of an agreed upon definition and understanding of spirituality and the need for a sound and practical approach to helping children develop spiritually was the catalyst behind this research. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between ministry praxis and spiritual development milestones in the lives of Nazarene children. The literature review began with an examination of the history of spirituality, the biblical call to children's spiritual nurture, and the history of psychology and developmentalism. Attention was given to the typologies presented by Urban Holmes and David Kolb culminating in analysis of Michael Anthony's Children's Spiritual Formation Typology. A mixed methods approach was used to gather data. The process for development of the research instrument and the procedures used for implementation were clearly explained. The online instrument was completed by 201 (64.4% of the population) Nazarene children's pastors and analysis of the data was conducted using ANOVA testing. The respondents were assigned to one of the four ministry models based on their responses to the 24 statements on the survey instrument. By determining one's preferred ministry model and analyzing a variety of self-reported data, analysis of the relationship in the four spiritual development milestones was possible. In addition to the four spiritual milestones, growth rate of each of the ministry models was analyzed. The research was completed by conducting two focus group interviews to provide qualitative analysis of the data gathered from the survey instrument. Open-ended questions were presented to each focus group which further validated the analysis of the data. The statistical analysis of the data concluded that there are no significant statistical differences in the four ministry models and the four spiritual development milestones. Key words: child, children, development, formation, growth, milestones, ministry, nurture, praxis, spiritual, spirituality / This item is only available to students and faculty of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. If you are not associated with SBTS, this dissertation may be purchased from <a href="http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb">http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb</a> or downloaded through ProQuest's Dissertation and Theses database if your institution subscribes to that service.

Contributors to children's ministry produce many resources that are consumed by local congregations, determining the direction of their evangelism and discipleship with children. Chapter 1 describes the purpose of this research which was to investigate the attitudes and assumptions of significant contributors to children's ministry towards cultural relevancy as a determining factor for ministry development. Chapter 2 addresses the theological, historical, and educational bases for children's ministry. This chapter also gives attention to the current trends in children's ministry philosophy and methodology. Chapter 3 provides a description of the research design and experience. The qualitative process is described as well as the data collection and analysis of the interview process. Chapter 4 describes the findings from the data collection. Specific attention is given to the categories discovered while utilizing elements of the grounded theory approach to research. Chapter 5 provides a summary of the conclusions drawn from the findings in response to the research questions. General findings included a strong theological foundation and a passionate desire to be culturally relevant as motivators for the work of the recognized contributors to children's ministry. ministry KEY WORDS: Children's ministry, Theology of children, Developmentalism, Culture, Postmodernism, Church and Children / This item is only available to students and faculty of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. If you are not associated with SBTS, this dissertation may be purchased from <a href="http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb">http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb</a> or downloaded through ProQuest's Dissertation and Theses database if your institution subscribes to that service.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, 2006. / Author's name appears on Approval page and microfiche header as Scott A. Lemmerman. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-101).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Abilene Christian University, 1994. / Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 218-220).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2007. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 106-111).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, 2006. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 193-196).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 124-127).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, 2006. / Author's name appears on Approval page. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-101).

Thesis (M.A.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1992. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-102).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Westminster Theological Seminary, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 244-252).