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Full-Text Articles in Practical Theology
"There They Go": Short Term Mission Trips As A Metaphor And Model For Youth Slipping Out The Back Door, Steve Case
"There They Go": Short Term Mission Trips As A Metaphor And Model For Youth Slipping Out The Back Door, Steve Case
180 Symposium Publications
Millennials slip out the back door of church involvement for a variety of reasons. One currently popular youth ministry activity, Short-Term Mission Trips (STMT), provides a metaphor and a model for this phenomenon. STMT take into account both positive and negative elements as well as a host of factors with intensities that vary from one millennial to another. Utilizing STMT as a metaphor, and the varieties within the model, demonstrate the complexity of the issue rather than providing a singular and simplistic explanation and solution. Inherent in this model is a proactive sending motif rather than a passive clinging for …
Ennui, Entertainment, Or Encounter? Cultivating The Climate For A Transformational Approach To Leadership, Keren Toms
Ennui, Entertainment, Or Encounter? Cultivating The Climate For A Transformational Approach To Leadership, Keren Toms
180 Symposium Publications
After studying the various qualities that have made for effective leaders, both in Bible times and in more recent church history, it is apparent that some were empowered by a guardian/guide mentality, others an entertainer/enabler mindset, and others possessed a difficult to define but easily recognizable cluster of virtues that enabled them, through their passion for mission and love for people, to be creative and observable role models for what recent leadership experts have termed transformational leaders. Creating a climate for the selection and the empowerment of transformational leaders is key for a successful youth ministry in the new millennium.
Proclamation Vs. Protection: Reshaping The Vision Of Adventist Youth Ministry, Ronald R. Pickell
Proclamation Vs. Protection: Reshaping The Vision Of Adventist Youth Ministry, Ronald R. Pickell
180 Symposium Publications
In this chapter, the author argues that youth ministry in the Adventist church has focused on protection and retention of the youth that have grown up in the denomination. To achieve this goal, the majority of the denomination’s resources have been invested into the educational system (I). Drawing attention to some of the short-comings of this approach, the author suggests a transition to a proclamation model of ministry and provides some basic principles (II). Furthermore, he draws attention to the increasing number of Adventist youth studying outside the denominational educational system and argues that it is both urgent and opportune …
Circle Of Courage, Jonathan Duffy, Gary Hopkins
Circle Of Courage, Jonathan Duffy, Gary Hopkins
180 Symposium Publications
This chapter promotes the “Circle of Courage” as a model for developing resilience in young people. Resilience in the context of this chapter refers to factors which contribute to the success of young people and protect them from participating in risk behavior. The “Circle of Courage” is a child rearing model used by Native Americans before white conquest and has four main components – Belonging, Mastery, Independence, and Generosity. The components are in alignment with what modern psychologists are promoting for young people today and are common to most indigenous groups.
A Study Of Youth Retention And The Challenge Of Delayed Commitment In The Norwegian Union, Victor Marley
A Study Of Youth Retention And The Challenge Of Delayed Commitment In The Norwegian Union, Victor Marley
180 Symposium Publications
A contributory factor in the increasing rates of young people going through the “back door” and out of our church is the extension of adolescence and the corresponding postponement of commitment. This paper will look at pluralism, the extension of adolescence, and the erosion of adulthood as some reasons why commitment is being delayed. Some fundamental questions will be addressed: Is there a need to focus on the age of commitment? What about rites of passage? Do we need some in the Adventist culture? This paper will, in conclusion, look at the experience of the Norwegian Union and the Absolute …
An Adventist Identity For Postmodern Youth, Jeroen Tuinstra
An Adventist Identity For Postmodern Youth, Jeroen Tuinstra
180 Symposium Publications
During the teenage period, a youth shapes his or her identity in confirmation with the group he or she belongs to. The identity our church provides at that stage is a particular modern identity shaped by a modern rational world-view. At a later stage, our youth will find themselves in conflict with the identity provided by the church and their own mainly postmodern world-view. In this paper, I will explore the possible changes in our identity that will have to take place in order to accommodate the postmodern world-view. I will also argue that the church has to accommodate this …
Resolving Young Adult Attrition, Martin Weber
Resolving Young Adult Attrition, Martin Weber
180 Symposium Publications
Many Seventh-day Adventist clergy suffer the loss of their adult children to denominational attrition, and their pain is shared throughout the general population of North American Adventist parents. To identify the causative factors and design remedies, I devoted a Doctor of Ministry project involving active and retired clergy couples in the Mid-America Union. A 111-point questionnaire was mailed to each of 222 active and retired clergy who have adult children. Data requested was based on the research question: What influences from Seventh-day Adventist clergy parents in Mid-America may affect whether their children experience attrition from that denomination upon becoming adults? …
Suffer The Little Children (And The Young Adults), Ed Dickerson
Suffer The Little Children (And The Young Adults), Ed Dickerson
180 Symposium Publications
In addressing the problem of young adults leaving the church, Adventists tend to concentrate on changing the youth, while the real solution calls for changing the church to adapt its methods and worship to make the congregation attractive. This involves making church a place friendly for children and creating intergenerational worship. Separate ministry to young adults fails to integrate them into the congregational life.
Youth Ministry: It Starts Sooner Than You Think! A Youth Ministry Case Study Report, Jiwan S. Moon
Youth Ministry: It Starts Sooner Than You Think! A Youth Ministry Case Study Report, Jiwan S. Moon
180 Symposium Publications
When does youth ministry really begin? It is a question we all need to ask to be effective in ministering to our youth. What really is youth ministry? These two questions come from a belief that there is a specific time frame and a particular way to minister to young people that is different from where they have come and where they are going. However, I would like to introduce a different idea. The idea that youth ministry really begins before childhood ends. It is a continuous mentoring and nurturing of children, helping them mature and grow in Christ from …
Bringing Home Our Adventist Prodigals, Paul Tompkins
Bringing Home Our Adventist Prodigals, Paul Tompkins
180 Symposium Publications
Studies agree that the church is losing a significant proportion of its young people. This trend is hurting families, congregations and the church as a whole but very little seems to be done about it. Now is the time to do so. Back in the 1990’s the church last looked at restructuring youth ministry — following a commission on youth, the autumn council of 1992 voted a six point plan including revival, recovery, evangelism and nurture. A strategic plan was also authorized but the aspect of recovery has only recently begun to gain significant attention. Now is the time to …
Principles For Relational Young Adult Ministry, Lisa M. Hope
Principles For Relational Young Adult Ministry, Lisa M. Hope
180 Symposium Publications
Young adults are conspicuously missing from the majority of Seventh-day Adventist churches. Finding effective means of ministry for the millennial generation is essential for the health and growth of Adventist young adults in the 21st Century. While each young adult is unique, there are general relational principles that are imperative to build the relationships and establish the community this generation seeks: finding a social prop, mastering small talk, asking questions, curiosity, vulnerability. The church must move forward, choosing to err on the side of love, acceptance, and mercy to be relevant to young adults today.
The Millennial Generation: A Demographic, Ethnographic, And Religious Profile, Monte Sahlin
The Millennial Generation: A Demographic, Ethnographic, And Religious Profile, Monte Sahlin
180 Symposium Publications
A new generation is emerging into adulthood in the first years of the new century. Born from 1977 through 1994, most are the offspring of parents in the Baby Boom generation. Just as their parents’ childhood and adolescence largely paralleled the development of television, so the Millennial generation has grown up with the Internet. They share many of the values and interests of their Baby Boomer parents, although the world is starkly different. There is much greater diversity, and global boundaries are transparent, while economic anxiety is increased. The young adults and teens in the Millennial generation tend to be …
Burst The Bystander Effect: Making A Discipling Difference With Young Adults, A. Allan Martin
Burst The Bystander Effect: Making A Discipling Difference With Young Adults, A. Allan Martin
180 Symposium Publications
Decades of research continue to point to greater than 50 percent attrition of young adults from faith community, yet there appears to be minimal efforts to change this alarming trend. This article offers suggestions as to what you can do to foster authentic relationships and revive young adult discipleship in the Seventh-day Adventist Church context.
The Development Of Adventist Youth Groups And Ellen White’S Empowerment Of Youth In Evangelism And Service, Cindy Tutsch
The Development Of Adventist Youth Groups And Ellen White’S Empowerment Of Youth In Evangelism And Service, Cindy Tutsch
180 Symposium Publications
How did youth work begin in the Adventist church? Did it start with “professionals”? What was the point of Adventist youth groups originally? And what is the point today? This provocative paper may generate some discussion with your youth and leadership team –and maybe even re-focus your ministry!
I Don’T Want To Go To Church Anymore!, Margaret D. Dudley
I Don’T Want To Go To Church Anymore!, Margaret D. Dudley
180 Symposium Publications
It is heartbreaking when a young person, raised in an Adventist home, decides to abandon the faith. There are practical steps that can turn the situation around. Suggestions are given for friends, parents, and church leaders. In a climate of love, God can work miracles.
Prevention Of At-Risk Behaviors, Resilience, And Youth Retention: A Mandate For Action In The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Peter N. Landless
Prevention Of At-Risk Behaviors, Resilience, And Youth Retention: A Mandate For Action In The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Peter N. Landless
180 Symposium Publications
No abstract provided.
Where Have All The Youth Leaders Gone?, Timothy P. Nixon
Where Have All The Youth Leaders Gone?, Timothy P. Nixon
180 Symposium Publications
Valuegenesis has been a tremendous tool that has given the Seventh-day Adventist church valuable information about youth and young adults. It represents a fair cross-section culturally and ethnically of our young people. However, the sample is of 16,000 respondents of Seventh-day Adventist Youth in Seventh-day Adventist schools throughout the North American Division during the 2000 school year (Gillespie, 2004). The majority of the expenses are borne by local parents and churches (Gillespie, 2004). Sixty percent of the students said there was a youth pastor at their home church (Gillespie, 2004). Monte Sahlin’s work in Adventist Congregations Today, says most Adventist …
Adventist Identity Crisis: In The Leaders Or The Led?, Japhet De Oliveira
Adventist Identity Crisis: In The Leaders Or The Led?, Japhet De Oliveira
180 Symposium Publications
Recent church attendance statistics indicate a high percentage of the millennial generation is exiting their local faith communities–either openly rejecting the values or silently slipping away. In addition to these two types of departure lies a third group not included in the statistics that appear faithful through attendance but in reality are disconnected. Should we combine these three categories our only success is retention with engagement. Which begs the answer to this question: Retention and engagement with what? Our once proclaimed uniform Adventist identity is crumbling by globalization. Today within two streets of each other you can experience practically opposite …
Unity And Ministry Through The Massification Of Adventism, Van G. Hurst
Unity And Ministry Through The Massification Of Adventism, Van G. Hurst
180 Symposium Publications
The Seventh-day Adventist Church has a history of ministering to people groups who have been fractured from their original congregations or social norms (demassification) and then renew their identity in Adventism (remassification). The unique needs of today’s generations are a rapid remassification of youth groups who need to be discipled. The uniqueness of these youth, their need for parental influence, peer affirmation, and a horizontal leadership structure to enable future mentoring and ministry at minimal cost are a vital part of the cycle of ministry which appears to be currently nonexistent in many Adventist congregations.
Stop The Sad Exodus: Three Practical Solutions, Chris Blake
Stop The Sad Exodus: Three Practical Solutions, Chris Blake
180 Symposium Publications
Students of Adventist campuses of higher education experience the finest in ministry options. When they graduate, they often return to congregations that are much lacking the ministries to which they have been accustomed. Three solutions for the campus are: (1) Risky Sabbath schools that involve students in outreach, (2) Youth summits, and (3) Training for involvement in local congregations.
Praying The Back Door Shut, Michaela V. Lawrence
Praying The Back Door Shut, Michaela V. Lawrence
180 Symposium Publications
Through a study of how we pray we may better understand current pictures of who God is and how God works in the world—there’s a definite connection. One of the ways our picture of God is formed is through our experiences with corporate prayer and the ideas about God expressed as people make requests, offer praise, and thanksgiving. Each public encounter with God is, ideally, an opportunity to reveal a biblical view of God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who is still alive and well. As it pertains to young adults, corporate prayer not only impacts their concept …
Handing On Faith: Equipping The Next Generation To ”Leave Church”!, Peter Roennfeldt
Handing On Faith: Equipping The Next Generation To ”Leave Church”!, Peter Roennfeldt
180 Symposium Publications
In view of the continuing high attrition of next generations from the Adventist church, perhaps, like with effective parenting, the best the church can do is to equip the next generation to “leave church” — releasing them to give birth to the next generation of Adventism. This involves trust — trusting the next generations, and trusting God with the future of his church.
Church Climate And Youth Ministry, Barry Gane
Church Climate And Youth Ministry, Barry Gane
180 Symposium Publications
This paper compares youth who belong to congregations with a strong program of youth ministry with those who do not. Those who experience youth ministry are more likely to have personal devotions, remain in the church, perceive the pastors’ influence more positively, and avoid at-risk behaviors. It stresses the need for personal involvement, demonstrations of caring, and willingness to make changes in congregational programming. It gives a number of suggestions for discussions with youth groups.