The role of critical thinking in youth ministry leadership praxis: A grounded theory

This dissertation examined the significance of the critical thinking abilities of youth ministers in the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) denomination in leadership praxis and develops a grounded theory to explain the findings. Chapter 1 identifies the research concern which is the significance of critical thinking in the leadership praxis of youth ministry professional. This chapter contains the definition of key terms and the research questions for the study. Chapter 2 reviews the literature on critical thinking reporting the way critical thinking is understood in general practice. The chapter continues with a description of how critical thinking in being used in youth ministry. This chapter does have a focus for the practice of critical thinking through a leadership lens. Chapter 3 describes the research methodology and reports the details of the population, sample selection and the process used to complete the study. Chapter 4 addresses the analysis of findings from the interviews conducted for the study. Descriptions of the specific findings from the interviews are included to support the grounded theory which is expressed as a quadrant diagram and described at the end of the chapter. Chapter 5 evaluates the implications of the findings for the study. These implications are both personal and corporate in nature and may provide groundwork for additional inquiry into the nature of critical thinking use by the youth ministry professional serving in the local church and the possible consequence to youth ministry dedicated to the discovery and winning process of teens to the gospel message of the Lord Jesus Christ. Key Words . Critical Thinking, Youth Ministry, Organizational Culture, Grounded Theory, Ministry Praxis, Leadership, Leadership Praxis, Youth Ministry Professional.

Author dc:creator

• White, Douglas Andrew

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Williams, Dennis E.

• Church work with youth.
• Critical thinking.
• Grounded theory.
• Christian leadership.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Dc Identifier Other

THESES Ed.D. .W582r

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.sbts.edu:10392/494