Paul Angier
CHMN 301 – B01 LUO
by
Journal Article Summaries
NextGen Ministry
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Submitted to Dr. Steve Vandegriff
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
1 "5 Trends Shaping The Next Season Of Next Gen Discipleship - Barna Group", Barna Group,
Last modified 2020, https://www.barna.com/research/five-themes-to-frame-next-gen-
discipleship/.
2 Ibid.
1
The article, “5 Trends Shaping The Next Season Of Next Gen Discipleship” is a work
published by Barna Group for the purpose of understanding the current trends that are facing the
ministries in the church that are geared towards ministering to the next generation. Barna Group
is an organization whose mission is to do research in the field of understanding the trends of
culture and how they relate to the individual behaviors, beliefs, values and attitudes.1 In this
article, Barna Group identifies five key areas in which NextGen ministries should be looking to
address, adjust to, and navigate different cultural norms as they relate to those in their ministries.
The first issue that ministries must address is the proper navigation of screen time. In light of the
pandemic, research has shown that screen time percentages have gone up, and it is something
that the church should be aware of and seek to address. A second issue is that of injustice. Barna
Group advocates that the church should “integrate its response to injustice into student
ministry.”2 Third, the church needs to be actively addressing the feelings of loneliness and
anxiety among young adults. A fourth is the encouragement of disciples to grow their faith, and
the fifth one is the call to reshape the mindset regarding evangelism and outreach.
Article #1 Summary
Biblical Response
The biblical response to these cultural factors is to recognize that they exist and then do
something to help those facing them view and respond from a Biblical worldview. Time and time
again in Scripture the cultural norms of the day are used as leverage to elevate and proclaim the
gospel, and that mandate should be no different today
he raises a very important question, “Are your current adult volunteers the kind of adults you
want students to become someday?”3 Reflection on this question should drive home the process
of finding leaders who can be examples in the lives of the youth. The third area that Sanchez
identifies is that of perception of parents. He states that research evidences a trust between
parents and their teens, and that is a relational intimacy that youth leaders should help to foster.
Parents do care about their kid’s spiritual state, and we need to believe in that.
2
3 Shane Sanchez, "3 Foundational Principles For Next-Gen Ministry", Outreachmagazine.Com,
Last modified 2020, https://outreachmagazine.com/features/leadership/60479-3-
foundational-principles-for-next-gen-ministry.html.
Biblical Response
The biblical response to the areas addressed in this article is that ministry is to be done in
Ministry Application
The ministry application that I glean from this article is that as a youth minister I need to be
actively aware and engaged in learning about the new cultural norms that my students are facing and
going through for the sake of helping them approach it and walk through it with a healthy worldview.
Article #2 Summary
The article “3 Foundational Principles for NextGen Ministry” highlights the key areas of
ministry as they relate to Generation Z. In the article, Shane Sanchez, a minister affiliated with
Northpoint Church, addresses the approaches to three areas of youth ministry that can make or break
the influence that ministers have over their students. His first point is that ministries should be in the
work of developing strategies that outlast personalities. What Sanchez means by this is that the
direction of the ministry should not ride on the shoulders of merely one influencer, but rather should
be developed around a central goal that will not dissipate. The next area that Sanchez discusses in the
element of having leaders worth following. In the search for good leaders that can influence students,
3
Jim Murphy’s article “Essential Skills For Ministry Leadership” focuses on some of the
important elements of leadership that ministry leaders should develop. In this article, he
addresses five specific ones that he feels are very important to the workings of a ministry. They
are as follows: managing checklists, managing calendars, using time well, communicating well,
and building teams. While Murphy does recognize that these are not the only important elements
of leading a ministry, he does think that it is necessary that all of these have a place in the
leadership of a ministry. His thinking behind these specific actions revolves around these ideas.
With regard to managing checklists, he encourages the documentation of daily requirements and
expectations so that these things can be communicated well to the team. In managing calendars,
he encourages the frequent updating of both the ministry and the personal calendar so that
families of students and your own family can be in the loop on what is going on in ministry. He
encourages using time well as a discipline of ministry leaders. “While it’s important to care for
people and maintain good chemistry others, a good leader will find ways to also ensure they’re
community, and that be effective, there is a level of multi-generational relationship and discipleship
happening. The first few chapters of the book of Acts lays out the foundation for church and ministry.
The formula was togetherness, a unit of people with the same mindset doing ministry together and
teaching the younger ones how to do it as well.
Ministry Application
The ministry application for me from this article is that I need to be actively pursuing a
ministry mindset that focuses on the mission of the ministry, and one that is not only held together by
my teaching or influence. In reaching out into my church community, I need to be looking for leaders
who are committed, and leaders who are positive influencers. Finally, the partnership between the
ministry I conduct and the parents of students I serve need to be evident and flourishing.
Article #3 Summary
4 Jim Murphy, "Essential Skills For Ministry Leadership", Nextgen & Family Ministry, Last
modified 2016, https://thenextgenblog.com/2016/12/09/essential-skills-for-ministry-
leadership/.
using their time efficiently.”4 Leading through scheduling work, family, and self-time
leads to good communication because clear boundaries and expectations are in place.
Finally, building teams is important so that no one person is burdened with all the weight
of a ministry because ministry ought to be a community endeavor.
4
Biblical Response
The biblical response to this article is to equip the church for the work of the church. Whether
that is towards youth, parents, young adults, or the elderly in our fellowships, the mission remains the
same. Ephesians 4 states that the work of the church is to prepare the saints for the work of the
ministry. In that sense, all of the disciplines mentioned in this article are ways in which that can be
executed.
Ministry Application
The ministry application that I choose to take from this article is to manage myself as a leader
in such a way that it impacts those around me to whom I do ministry with and for. In this, I want to
manage my life in a way that models good leadership while also making time to love on others.
Article #4 Summary
In the article “Engaging in the Next Generation: The Future Of College Ministry” author
Helen Gibson shares the story of a young college student by the name of Keith Weiser, a student on
the campus of Washington State University, and how Keith was led to start a ministry on his campus
based on a calling that the Lord had given him for his fellow students. Gibson then goes on to share
how the impact that ministry can have on the collegiate level because of the nature of the system of
academics that is already in place and ready to be infiltrated. According to Brian Frye, who serves on
5 Helen Gibson, "Engaging The Next Generation: The Future Of College Ministry - Lifeway
Research", Lifeway Research, Last modified 2019,
https://lifewayresearch.com/2019/02/22/engaging-the-next-generation-the-future-of-
college-ministry/.
5
the North American Mission Board, one of the most receptive seasons in an individual’s life towards
spiritually charged ideas and realities is during the college years.5 Therefore, it is to this end that
Gibson, along with many others, advocates that ministry needs to happen on the college campus for
the sake of reaching young adults who are ready to hear the powerful news of the gospel message of
salvation.
Biblical Response
The biblical response or admonition that arises from this article is to preach the Word of God
and to go out into the areas of culture, namely colleges and universities, for the purpose of raising up
disciples for the kingdom of God from among the next generation of young people at a time in their
lives when they are more than likely going to be open to hearing the message of the gospel readily. In
Matthew 9, Jesus encourages His followers to go out and make disciples by providing them with the
illustration that the world is like a field and the people are like wheat ready to be harvested. Jesus
says that the harvest is plentiful but those to do the labor of bringing it in are few. Therefore, the Lord
instructs that His disciples are to go into the prepared field to reap the harvest for the kingdom of
God.
Ministry Application
The ministry application that is applicable to me in my own ministry is to be aware of the
areas in ministry where students are more receptive of the gospel and navigate my efforts into those
areas, while at the same time not losing sight of the other areas in which this may be happening as
6
In the article “How to Do NextGen Ministry Successfully at Your Church” author Megan
Lacefield presents her formulated thoughts on how to implement a successful NextGen ministry
in one’s church. Lacefield begins her article by presenting a clear definition of what NextGen
ministry is. In her words, “it’s ministry to multiple age groups who are the next generation. It
involves a strategic plan for young people from cradle to college, with measurable goals and
clear objectives for each age.”6 After clearly defining what NextGen is as a philosophy, Lacefield
identifies two big-picture concepts that drive the ministry and nine action steps that are beneficial
in the longevity of the ministry. The two concepts that she mentions are having a unified vision
and being willing to collaborate across ministries within a church fellowship. To be an effective
force in a community, the ministries in a church must share a common goal that they are all
striving towards, and they must be willing to connect and share ideas and plans for the sake of
interconnectedness. The nine practical actions steps that she identifies are as follows: be
intentional, be a team player, rethink the schedule, develop a mentoring program, don’t compete
for volunteers, celebrate ministry traditions, create experiences for the whole family, equip
parents, and capitalize on every encounter with families. The reason for all of these action steps
stems from a desire to meet the students where they are at, maximize off of the relationships that
they already have with their parents and mentors, connect and equip volunteer leaders to be
available and instrumental, and develop a partnership between parents, leaders, students, and
yourself so that there is a unification that exists for the purpose of loving on students.
6 Megan Lacefield, "How To Do Nextgen Ministry Successfully At Your Church", Children's
Ministry, Last modified 2021, https://childrensministry.com/nextgen-ministry/.
well. The Lord is preparing hearts and minds to be receptive of the gospel, and we are merely
instruments by which He brings honor and glory to Himself.
Article #5 Summary
6
they are preparing
students to make a commitment to faith in Christ, feed themselves spiritually, AND consistently
live out their faith at church and in the world.”7 This is what discipleship is according to
Franklin, and it is this mindset that leads him to share what he identifies as the three points in the
roadmap to making discipleship the core of any ministry foundation. The three points that he
shares are these: strategically focusing on teaching the whole gospel, training volunteers in how
to disciple students, and helping students to live out the marks of a disciple. With the first point,
Franklin advocates that churches need to teach their youth the picture of the complete gospel.
7 Doug Franklin, "3 Steps To Making Discipleship The Core Of Your Ministry | Leadertreks
Youth Ministry Blog", Leadertreks Youth Ministry, Last modified 2020,
https://www.leadertreks.org/3-necessary-pillars-discipleship-program/.
Biblical Response
The biblical response that arises from this article in my mind is the admonition to serve the
youth of our ministries as Christ has called His disciples to do. In the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 9, Jesus
reveals to His disciples that to love Him well means to serve His beloved. Using a child as an
illustration, Jesus states that whoever receives a child receives Him, and more so the Father.
Ministry Application
The ministry application that comes from this article is narrowed down to one word in my
mind: unity. The call is to be united as a team of ministries in the church to minister well to the people
that the Lord has placed in our care. The direct-action step that I can take as a result of
reading this article is to seek out ways to connect with my leaders, students, and help my students
connect with caring leaders for the sake of mentorship and one-on-one discipleship.
Article #6 Summary
“3 Steps to Making Discipleship the Core of Your Ministry” is an article by Doug Franklin
that highlights how leaders in ministry can develop a ministry that puts discipleship at its core. In his
article, Franklin states that discipleship ought to be manifested in leaders in that “
6
Too often, he says, the churches are teaching parts of the gospel message, but not the whole
thing. Secondly, he recognizes that the need for training leaders in how to disciple students is
crucial to making discipleship the core of any ministry. Finally, the students themselves should
be challenged to grow and mature in their own discipleship journey as they are called out to their
fellow friends and those in their spheres of influence. These three points are the key to making
discipleship the core of your ministry.
Biblical Response
The biblical response that flows from this article is the truth of “disciples making disciples”
outlined in 2 Timothy 2:2. Here, the apostle Paul is exhorting young Timothy with the call to take
what Paul had taught him in the way of spiritual disciplines and understanding of God’s Word and
pass it on the others who could continue the process of handing off the ministry of discipleship
throughout the generations. This was Jesus’ method for discipleship from the very beginning when
He Himself called followers to Himself for the purpose of spreading His teachings and His lifestyle
to the nations.
Ministry Application
The ministry application that I feel called to employ as a reflection of this article is to be
looking for ways that I can build up and walk alongside my ministry leader volunteers and equip
them with applicable ways to speak truth and life into the lives of the students in their care. I need to
be sure that the leaders of my target audience, students, have what they need to minister well to those
who have been entrusted to us by parents, guardians, and God Himself.
8 Liz Edrington, "New To Youth Ministry: Discipleship First As A Disciple - Rooted Ministry",
Rooted Ministry, Last modified 2018, https://www.rootedministry.com/blog/new-to-
youth-ministry-
discipleship/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAnKeCBhDPARIsAFDTLTJYOffmAz7Jhbj7q2xfEmFIy_
ShVbT0S5SZhkSIRQK3i0yLw4UJZ2kaAvh4EALw_wcB.
7
“Do you love Jesus? Do you love
people? If you can answer ‘yes’ to both of these questions, you can ask people to ‘follow my
example as I follow Christ.’”8 This ideology, presented in the letter of Paul to the Corinthian
church, is what it takes in Edrington’s mind to have an effective approach to discipleship.
Therefore, in the rest of her article, Edrington dives into the idea that to be disciple makers, we
as youth leaders must be disciples first ourselves. She is of the persuasion that the Bible expects
a feasting on the Word of God from the disciple first before he or she is prepared or equipped to
begin the process of feeding others.
Article #7 Summary
In her article on discipleship titled “New to Youth Ministry: Discipleship First as a Disciple”
author Liz Edrington offers a somewhat simplified and yet often overlooked element of discipleship.
In her article, Edrington shares the story of a conversation that she had with a woman named Julie
that rocked how she viewed discipleship both in theory and in practice. The specific question that
Julie would ask students was deeply profound. She would ask
Biblical Response
The biblical response that comes from this article is that followers of Jesus should be feasting
on the Word of God and taking to “abide in Him” as John 15 states. Before we can ever begin to lead
others towards God, we must first sit at His feet like Mary and hear from and be comforted by Him.
Ministry Application
The application from this article hit me the hardest of any of the other articles in this
assignment, because the idea of resting in God and being nourished by the enriching power of His
9 G"Joe Joseph, "6 Needed Shifts For Reaching The Next Generation", The Gospel Coalition,
Last modified 2019, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/6-shifts-reaching-next-
generation/.
8
mentoring that helps to press Christianity into
practical areas like finances, relationships, faith and work, and countless others.”9 The third shift
is to move to a dialogue-oriented form of discipleship, provided though the process of instilling
the framework for healthy conversation with your students. Fourth, a shift needs to be made that
moves from apologetics to hospitality. While some skeptics are brought into the kingdom by
good argument, the majority of non-believers will come to the Lord through the acts of kindness
shown them. A fifth shift is to move from an emphasis of shame before guilt, which helps to
reveal the audiences’ need for the Lord. Finally, the last shift that Joseph identifies is a move
towards boldness in the evangelism realm of ministry for the sake of the power of the gospel.
Spirit through the washing of the Word over me is often neglected as I pursue other ministry
“priorities”. Therefore, I believe that the application for me from this article is to take time to be with
my Heavenly Father and be refreshed in and by Him.
Article #8 Summary
In an article published by the Gospel Coalition, “6 Shifts Needed For Reaching The Next
Generation”, G’Joe Joseph attends to six ways in which churches and ministries geared towards
youth, children, and young adults need to rethink areas in which they do ministry to reach the rising
generation more effectively. The first shift identified is to move away from the assumption that one’s
audience is biblically literate. Rather, in recognition of this, Joseph point to the example of the
apostle Paul, who addressed his Gentile audiences in a different way than he did his more religious
Jewish audiences. The second shift needs to be the movement towards a developmental approach to
ministry. What this means is beginning with “
9
big youth group seem smaller” as well as “provide opportunities for
fellowship that leaves students feeling encouraged and accepted and keep youth group from just
feeling like a show to come and observe.”10 The third strategy identified is to leverage the
10 Josh Hussung, "4 Strategies To Engage Hard-To-Reach Students In Youth Ministry - Lifeway
Research", Lifeway Research, Last modified 2019,
https://lifewayresearch.com/2019/11/04/4-strategies-to-engage-hard-to-reach-students-in-
youth-ministry/.
Biblical Response
The biblical response here is to follow the example of the apostle Paul, who wrote that he had
become all things to all men, that he might in some way save some. This description of adaptability
within ministry while holding on to the core beliefs and choosing to avoid compromise is an example
that this article is pointing towards in its approach to shifting to an application of ministry that still is
in line with the Word of God.
Ministry Application
I believe that the ministry application from this article is to identify ways in which I can
effectively reach the culture of youth that I have the ability to minister to, and then look for ways to
tie in the message of the gospel and Christian living into what they are already experiencing.
Article #9 Summary
Every ministry deals with facing the issue of having students or participants feel as though
they are unnoticed and therefore unwelcome in the ministry gathering. In his article on strategies to
reverse this, “$ Strategies to Engage Hard-to-Reach Students in Youth Ministry,” Josh Hussung with
Lifeway Research presents his ideas on how to defeat this feeling of being unnoticed by providing
four ways in which youth leaders can help students feel important and cared for. The first way to
accomplish this is to create a welcome group and phase that all new students go through to make
them feel a part of something big. The second thing is to facilitate the small group method for the
purpose of “making a
cornerstone to a God-like discipline for the Christian parent. Our heavenly Father disciplines us
because of His love for us. In God’s perfectly manifested love He cannot and does not overlook
10
content of gatherings by making it interactive among students, and by presenting the opportunity
to teach students how to reach out to others. The final tactic is to pay attention to attendance and
reach out to students to let them know that they are cared about and missed when absent. This
creates a mindset of acceptance. Ministry is not the place to be forgotten, so the call is to provide
a place where students feel loved.
Biblical Response
The biblical response to this article is to recognize that Jesus came to “seek and save that
which was lost.” Many times, in student ministry, the students who are quiet or to themselves are in a
season of feeling lost and out of place. It is in the midst of these feelings that youth ministers and
leaders can represent the love that Jesus had for the least and the lost in reaching out to a student and
helping them to feel accepted.
Ministry Application
The ministry application here is twofold. First, as a leader, I want to be aware and proactive
in making new students feel welcomed and accepted. Second, I want to breed a culture among my
teen leaders and volunteers to do the same so that no one leaves youth group with the perception that
they were unnoticed or unwanted.
Article #10 Summary
Discipline is a part of raising children into adulthood, and there is a very real likelihood that
discipline will happen in the ministry of a youth pastor. Therefore, in her article titled “Discipling
Teenagers” Carolyn Lankford shares her story of her own journey in understanding discipline as it
related to her own children, and then offers three concepts that must be understood in effectively
disciplining out of a heart of love. The basis for discipline as a Christian can be defined as the
“
11 Carolyn Lankford, "Disciplining Teenagers - Rooted Ministry", Rooted Ministry, Last
modified 2017, https://www.rootedministry.com/blog/disciplining-teenagers/.
11
our sin. In love He corrects us. We are told also that He is slow to anger and quick to forgive.
God’s wrath, His reaction to our waywardness, is never capricious or histrionic. It is measured
and appropriate. It is the wrath of nothing less than divine love.”11 The three things that she
identifies as needing to be recognized is letting punishment in discipline fir the child, letting the
punishment for the “crime, and clearly addressing what the punishment is for. In these aspects
the love can begin to be manifested through the discipline process.
Biblical Response
The biblical response to discipline as mentioned in this article is to recognize that discipline
is biblical and executed by God for the good of those whom He loves. Therefore, in the discipline that
we offer youth and children, the action should be taken out of a heart of love just like God disciplines
His children.
Ministry Application
The ministry application that I can glean from this article is that my attitude in discipline
needs to be one that is focused on correcting the student because of the love I have towards them and
not out of frustration or anger. If the attitude that I am projecting is not loving, then the application is
to check my heart and ask the Lord to help me love like He loves me.
12
"5 Trends Shaping The Next Season Of Next Gen Discipleship - Barna Group". Barna Group,
Last modified 2020. https://www.barna.com/research/five-themes-to-frame-next-gen-
discipleship/.
Edrington, Liz. "New To Youth Ministry: Discipleship First As A Disciple - Rooted Ministry".
Rooted Ministry, Last modified 2018. https://www.rootedministry.com/blog/new-to-
youth-ministry-discipleship/?
gclid=Cj0KCQiAnKeCBhDPARIsAFDTLTJYOffmAz7Jhbj7q2xfEmFIy_ShVbT0S5SZh
kSIRQK3i0yLw4UJZ2kaAvh4EALw_wcB.
Franklin, Doug. "3 Steps To Making Discipleship The Core Of Your Ministry | Leadertreks
Youth Ministry Blog". Leadertreks Youth Ministry, Last modified 2020.
https://www.leadertreks.org/3-necessary-pillars-discipleship-program/.
Gibson, Helen. "Engaging The Next Generation: The Future Of College Ministry - Lifeway
Research". Lifeway Research, Last modified 2019.
https://lifewayresearch.com/2019/02/22/engaging-the-next-generation-the-future-of-
college-ministry/.
Hussung, Josh. "4 Strategies To Engage Hard-To-Reach Students In Youth Ministry - Lifeway
Research". Lifeway Research, Last modified 2019.
https://lifewayresearch.com/2019/11/04/4-strategies-to-engage-hard-to-reach-students-in-
youth-ministry/.
Joseph, G"Joe. "6 Needed Shifts For Reaching The Next Generation". The Gospel Coalition,
Last modified 2019. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/6-shifts-reaching-next-
generation/.
Lacefield, Megan. "How To Do Nextgen Ministry Successfully At Your Church". Children's
Ministry, Last modified 2021. https://childrensministry.com/nextgen-ministry/.
Lankford, Carolyn. "Disciplining Teenagers - Rooted Ministry". Rooted Ministry, Last modified
2017. https://www.rootedministry.com/blog/disciplining-teenagers/.
Murphy, Jim. "Essential Skills For Ministry Leadership". Nextgen & Family Ministry, Last
modified 2016. https://thenextgenblog.com/2016/12/09/essential-skills-for-ministry-
leadership/.
Sanchez, Shane. "3 Foundational Principles For Next-Gen Ministry". Outreachmagazine.Com,
Last modified 2020. https://outreachmagazine.com/features/leadership/60479-3-
foundational-principles-for-next-gen-ministry.html.
Bibliography
