<p> The project director chose to design a church revitalization partnership strategy. This strategy would enable First Baptist Church of Rockwood to assist another church in the Big Emory Baptist Association needing revitalization. The nature of the seven-step strategy provides flexibility, so the strategy can be used in a variety of ministry contexts. </p><p> Chapter one presents the purpose and nature of the ministry project. After listing the project&rsquo;s ministry and professional objectives, the project director described the project&rsquo;s ministry context, rationale, assumptions, limitations, delimitations, description, and definitions of terms. Through these descriptions, the project director explained the how and why of the project. </p><p> Chapter two addresses the biblical foundations for the ministry project. The project director details the benefits of a revitalization partnership from Ecclesiastes 4:9&ndash;12, the necessities for a revitalization partnership in Nehemiah 2:11&ndash;20, and an example of a revitalization partnership in 1 Corinthians 16:1&ndash;4. Each of these passages support the purpose for the strategy created through this ministry project. </p><p> Chapter three examines the ministry foundations for the ministry project. First, the project director discloses the historical foundation for revitalization partnerships. Next, the project director cites current authors emphasizing the need in revitalization partnerships for strong leaders and intentional planning. Finally, the project director details the seven-step structure for the project&rsquo;s strategy. </p><p> Chapter four details the course of work the project completed to accomplish the project&rsquo;s goals. The project director enumerates three phases of work. Phase one describes the people involved in the ministry project. Phase two explains the process of the ministry project. Phase three details the product of the ministry project which was validated by the expert panel and members of FBCR. </p><p> Chapter five analyzes the results of the ministry project. After presenting a summary of the project&rsquo;s seven step strategy, the project director evaluates various issues such as objectives, strengths and weaknesses, and the project&rsquo;s process. The project director then reflects on lessons learned and future implications for the project&rsquo;s strategy.</p><p>

<p> Although typically not responsible for leadership decision-making that impacts the spiritual growth of the entire organization, youth ministers play a vital leadership role in congregational health as leaders of smaller communities within greater communities of faith. This leadership role is threatened by numerous challenges facing youth ministers of all denominations. Specific to this study, the vital role of youth ministry in Churches of Christ is threatened by high turnover rates of those within the profession. The purpose of this study was to determine leadership practices and strategies that are employed by long tenured youth ministers in Churches of Christ, identify the challenges those youth ministers have faced in implementing leadership practices, discover how they measure successful youth ministry leadership strategies and practices and ascertain their recommendations for implementing leadership strategies and practices within their profession. </p><p> Data were collected from 15 full time youth ministers in Churches of Christ from throughout the United States. The qualitative, phenomenological study utilized a 12-question semi-structured interview format to gather the lived experience of subjects. Key study findings identified 70 themes that answered four research questions. Specifically, self-awareness was the top trait study participants used to describe themselves as leaders. Additionally, participants identified creating an others-focused environment as the top strategy or practice as a contributor to long tenure at the same church. The findings of this study have substantive implications for men and women considering youth ministry as a career or calling, and for institutions of learning that train those preparing for the youth ministry profession.</p><p>