The research presented in the following pages explores interpersonal dynamics in church leadership which may adversely affect the tenure of Youth Pastors in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA). Since 2006, eight resolutions passed by the Conference of the MCSA have noted a concern around the appointment of Youth Pastors. When Youth Pastors depart from their positions it can have an adverse effect on the young people, the Youth Pastor and the ability of the church to be faithful in youth ministry. Literature supports a long tenure for sustainable youth ministry. A sample group of ten participants was selected and interviewed. The average tenure of the sample group was calculated; compairsons were drawn between those who served for longer and shorter than the average tenure. The aim of the research was to provide information to the MCSA that might reduce the problem of disrupted Youth Pastor tenure by determining the factors contributing to departure. Both the literature review and the empirical research demonstrated that the Youth Pastor’s relationship with the minister is critical to a positive job experience. Some of the factors contributing to negative interpersonal relationships include an autocratic minister, a lack of support and a church leadership that lacks insight into youth ministry. The majority of the sample expressed a largely unmet expectation that their minister should provide them with spiritual and personal support. They commonly experienced conflict with their minister, particularly when one minister left and a new minister arrived. Most Youth Pastors who underwent negative departures cited conflict with the minister as a primary factor in their departure. However, there were others who experienced similarly difficult interpersonal dynamics, yet chose to remain in their positions. Thus, the question of why Youth Pastors leave was slowly overshadowed by a new question which seeks to understand the factors that contribute to Youth Pastors choosing to remain. The empirical research suggested that the qualities more frequently observed among long tenure participants were (1) a clearly articulated call (2) a love for the youth (3) a mentor outside the local church and (4) a sense of responsibility to fulfil a vision for the youth ministry. The theory of action to be presented to the MCSA involves a more rigorous discernment process for prospective Youth Pastors, the provision of a wider web of relationships for Youth Pastors as well as the youth themselves, mandatory mentoring for all Youth Pastors and a platform for the Youth Pastor to receive feedback. / Dissertation (MA Theology)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Practical Theology / MA Theology / Unrestricted

In recent years the state of youth work, and more specifically the professional youth worker, has been on the forefront of discussion and concern in South Africa and has been the focus of the Presidency, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), the Commonwealth, and select South African universities. Statistics (Stats SA 2011) discloses that more than 58.5% of the South African population are youth that is aged 1 through 35 (National Youth Policy of South Africa 2008:11) and is, therefore, an important area of interest. In a similar manner, there is increasing discussion and concern in the area of youth ministry in the church. In utilising a case study of the Baptist Union of Southern Africa (BUSA), it is reflected at the annual assembly of churches and its publications that indeed there is an ever increasing concern regarding its youth. The concern for the youth ministry centres on the efficacy of this area of ministry as we observe the exodus of youth from the local church. This particular study has its focus on the youth ministry and specifically the topic of the office of the career youth pastor in an attempt to address the concern of effective ministry to youth as well as addressing the concern of the professional youth worker. This research posits that there is no clear and intentional theological articulation for the office of the career youth pastor. Furthermore, the study will inquire how the office of the career youth pastor will address the problem regarding the professional youth worker as well as an effective ministry to and with youth in the church. This research, therefore, will endeavour to address the theological basis for the call and vocation of the career youth pastor, the cultural as well as the developmental needs of youth in supporting the notion for the career youth pastor, and the purpose of the career youth pastor, by reflecting on the practices and normative texts of the BUSA as a case study through the empirical research of qualitative interviewing. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Practical Theology / PhD / Unrestricted

This diploma thesis is focused on the topic of religious education of youth in the Church of Brethren. Its main aim is to describe the process of religious education of youth according to the theoretical and practical sources of the Church of Brethren. The results were compared in the last part of the thesis to the educational concepts of other churches studied in the theoretical part. The theoretical part defines the terms related to religious education such as catechesis, pastoral care, evangelization, discipleship, religious pedagogy etc. It also includes the characteristics of the Church of Brethren and youth in the context of postmodern era. The last chapter deals with religious education of youth in church in general with regards to the personality of a youth pastor, educational goals and teaching methods. The practical part is designed as an analysis of three areas: Department of Youth of the Church of Brethren, other Christian organizations working with youth and an interview with the Leading pastor of the Council of the Church of Brethren who has been working with youth for many years. The results of each area are further reflected in the context of the studied literature. The results indicate that religious education of youth in the Church of Brethren is mostly focused on evangelization,...