Youth Ministry Case Study

Education, training, and discipleship are the primary goals of the Preparatory approach. While typical youth activities are still used, the purpose of these activities is clear: the continued spiritual development of adolescents. Preparatory model is very much focused on developing future church members, advocating “a specialized ministry to adolescents that prepares them to participate in the life of existing churches as leaders, disciples or evangelists. Students are viewed as disciples-in-training...Developmental dynamics suggest that youth ministry be viewed as a laboratory in which disciples can grow in a culture guided by spiritual coaches.”

Seeking to both separate youths in terms of their developmental and social needs, the Preparatory model emphasizes that all are called to discipleship. Thus, this model strikes a delicate balance in how the specific needs of youth are met while ensuring that youth are part of the larger community. The presentation of the Preparatory model offers some very solid practices (weekday ministries, youth ministry council & lead teams). Black is especially critical of youth ministry as a series of

Of these skills, it is common for youth workers to focus their efforts on the relational tasks—befriending teenagers, building trust. Beyond the fellowship and trust building, there has to be teaching and proclamation of the message of Christ. Effective youth ministers find themselves in teaching situations constantly; in small groups and large, one-to-one with youths, with parent groups and volunteer leader groups, speaking to the entire congregation, and standing before other youth ministers. The skills of effectively communicating to others, leading the learning process, and designing learning experiences are essentials in effective youth