Shaping Youth Ministry

Exploring Influences on Youth Pastors' Approaches to Programme Design

Datos Bibliográficos

ID3248201
AutoresTimothy A Mullen (0000-0001-7090-8928, Edith Cowan University, autor de correspondencia), T Cooper (0000-0002-4758-5881, Edith Cowan University)
Año2025
Volumen16
Número9
Páginas1160
Fecha de publicación2025-09-09
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaReligions (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
EditorialMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel16091160
OpenAlexW4414210870
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas1
Referencias citadas20

The literature on youth ministry practices is mostly anecdotal, and empirical research into the practices, goals, and meanings of youth ministry to youth pastors is rare, especially in Australia. In this study, 20 youth pastors in Perth, Western Australia, were interviewed about their goals, priorities, practices, training, and what influenced them. This study forms part of a larger doctoral research project. The interview data were analysed utilising a phenomenological approach, drawing upon Goffman's framing analysis to examine the link between 'meaning making' and explicit and tacit motivations for youth ministry practice. The research found that youth pastors were most often motivated by their personal experiences, influenced by mentors and peers, and sometimes their formal studies. Goffman's framing was useful for explaining how motivations, influences, and goals shape 'what' is happening. The research contributes to knowledge about cross-denominational youth ministry practices with young people and has implications for youth ministry training and the need to support youth pastors' informal learning through their networks

Christian ministry · Empirical research · Participant observation · Positive Youth Development · Qualitative research · Youth studies · Religion, Society, and Development · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Religious Education and Schools