Youth ministry as an academic discipline is relatively new. Many academic institutions already have youth ministry programs, some more advanced than others, and others are considering establishing youth ministry programs to meet the growing need for training theologically grounded practitioners of youth ministry. With this in mind, this dissertation has sought to describe a set of specified youth ministry programs at particular academic institutions across the United States of America. In order to accomplish this, a few things had to be done. First, a biblical and theological rationale for youth ministry and the youth minister were given. Second, a history of Christian higher education, youth ministry, and program evaluation were outlined. Third, program evaluation theories and program evaluation models were identified and explained. Finally, Robert Stake's program evaluation model was selected and used for the basis of the research for this study. Each of the academic institutions used in this study met specified requirements which demonstrated that they took the training of future youth ministers seriously. A youth ministry professor from each identified academic institution was interviewed along with a specified set of graduates from that academic institution's youth ministry program. The interview utilized a questionnaire that was developed with the aid of an expert panel of youth ministry educators aimed at helping the researcher describe the intended and actual antecedents, transactions, and outcomes of the specified youth ministry programs. The research found that each of the youth ministry programs analyzed had significant time and resources invested in the training of youth ministers. Each academic institution also had a well-developed process of developing students to become theologically grounded practitioners of youth ministry. The research indicated that two main ingredients were necessary to accomplish this goal. First, students had to become well-rounded in the discipline of academia. In other words, students needed to have a theological and philosophical undergirding before they could implement actual methodology. Second, students had to have practical experience that enabled them to test their philosophy and methodology while at the same time being supervised by an expert in the field. / 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.

The purpose of this research was to determine the relationship between selected ministry factors and effective youth evangelism in the local church. Youth ministers of churches in the top 100 churches in youth baptisms in the Southern Baptist Convention in 2008 served as the population for the study. This researcher used a three round delphi technique to discover the relationship between essential ministry factors and effective youth evangelism in the local church. The first round of the delphi study involved contacting the youth ministers of the top 100 churches in youth baptisms and inviting them to be a part of a study on youth evangelism. In the first round, the youth ministers were instructed to answer the question, "In your experience, what are the ministry factors you consider to be effective in evangelizing young people?" The answers for all the respondents were then compiled and the unique ministry factors among the answers were used in round 2. A total of 41 youth ministers responded to the rOlmd 1 survey. Round 2 utilized the unique ministry factors from round 1 and asked the youth ministers to score the individual ministry factors in terms of effectiveness from 1 to 4 with 1 being "somewhat effective" and 4 being "extremely effective." The 15 highest scoring ministry factors carried over to round 3. A total of33 participants completed round 2 of the survey. Round 3 presented the respondents with the task of rank-ordering the list of the top 15 ministry factors from round 2. Overall, 31 youth ministers completed all three rounds of the study. Follow-up interviews were also conducted with the youth ministers to add breadth and depth to the insight gained from the list of the top 15 ministry factors. The number one ministry factor in evangelizing young people, according to the respondents in the research project, was "prayer and reliance upon God to work in the hearts of students." A close second was" a youth pastor who is passionate about evangelism as an example to students." One overarching conclusion of the study was that the ministry factors that were most effective were not necessarily specific programs or reproducible activities. Rather, the most effective factors were intangible qualities centered upon a dependence on God and a passion to reach people. The researcher concluded that the most effective ministry factors in reaching young people evangelistically centered upon leadership, drive, passion, and vision. Keywords: Delphi, youth ministry, evangelism, best practices, baptism, student

The question around which this thesis is gathered arose from a period of public concern regarding historical practice in respect of post-mortem examinations during which the researcher was required to engage with a significant number of parents who had lost a child, often many years previously. These encounters offered privileged insight into the longevity, nature and expressions of parental grief and, on subsequent reflection, raised questions as to how the specifics of Christian belief might meaningfully engage the pastoral needs of a bereaved parent. Through its capacity to accommodate conversation between human experience; the insights offered by science, philosophy and culture; and the Christian message, practical theology offered a discipline within which such questions could best be explored. Using a research methodology drawing on the principles of hermeneutic phenomenology the lived experience of ten bereaved parents was engaged through semi-structured interviews. The transcription and analysis of these interviews identified key themes - connection; continuity and identity; and reunion - which became the subject of further reflection. Common to these themes is the concept of a continuing relationship ('bond') with the deceased child, a concept at variance with the Freudian thinking that has shaped much of bereavement care over the past century. Such thinking understands a sustained 'relationship' as futile and promotes patterns of care that aim for a staged and time-limited recovery. In contrast the more recent paradigm of 'continuing bonds', which has particular resonance with the loss of a child, offers a different perspective on grief which, in turn, finds accord with a Christian narrative that is profoundly relational and incorporates a message of resurrection offering explicit hope in regard to matters of continued existence, retained identity and eventual reunion.

Thesis (M. Div.)--Emmanuel School of Religion, 2004. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 56-59).

Thesis (M. Div.)--Emmanuel School of Religion, 2004. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 66-67).

Thesis (M.A. Rel.)--School of Theology, Anderson University, 1988. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 167-171).

Thesis (M.A. Rel.)--School of Theology, Anderson University, 1988. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 110-119).

Thesis (D.Min.)--Liberty Theological Seminary and Graduate School, 2007.

Thesis (D.Min.)--Liberty Theological Seminary and Graduate School, 2007.

Thesis (D.Min.)--Liberty Theological Seminary and Graduate School, 2007.