The Set-Up

We ask each site we visit to arrange for as many key, informed leaders of their youth ministry as can be drafted--both young people and adults--to be available to meet with us. However, we want to make sure that there are at least 2 student leader-types for every adult present. For at least one phase of the data-gathering, we'll reassemble the groups into sub-groups of 5-7 persons. Let's ask for a time commitment of two hours.

Group Demographic Profile

One person (typically the youth pastor) will help us to fill in the following questions offering a description of the group.

As it relates to your group's size (senior high only)...

...how many students are on your “official roll”?

...what's the average attendance at your biggest weekly event?

...how many students do you have involved in weekly small groups?

...how many students are involved in student leadership/ministry teams?

...how many full time (paid) staff work with this group?

...how many part time/volunteer staff work with this group?

As it relates to your group's weekly programming (senior high only)...

...what various meetings/activities do you have going on each week and what purpose have you identified for each?

As it relates to evangelistic results of your group's ministry (senior high only)...

...how many persons have come to Christ through your ministry this school year?

Huntington College Link Institute

Student Leader Research Project

Timed Team Responses

After organizing the group into teams of 3-5, inform them that you are about to hand them some group assignments. Once they look at them, they will have exactly 5 minutes to complete each of the tasks. The following assignments will each be completed within this 5 minute time period:

“Assume that there is a clear consensus among people who know: this youth ministry is extremely effective on behalf of the kingdom of God. In the next 5 minutes this group is to agree upon and write down NO MORE THAN the 3 most important factors contributing to that ministry effectiveness. You may write less than 3, but please do not write more than 3 factors.”

“In the next 5 minutes this group is to identify and agree upon the 3 most important historical events that have taken place in the life of this ministry during the past 2 years. Write down NO MORE THAN 3; you may write less than 3, but please do not write down more than 3 events.”

“Imagine that this group has a chance to offer practical advice to other youth minstries all around the country about HOW to help young people reach their classmates for Jesus Christ. In the next 5 minutes this group needs to agree upon and write down NO MORE THAN 3 sentences representing that advice. You may write less than 3, but please do not write down more than 3 statements of advice.”

“In the next 5 minutes this group is to identify and agree upon the 3 most important truths that have been taught to your group during the past year. Write down NO MORE THAN 3; you may write less than 3, but please do not write down more than 3 of these teaching truths.”

Huntington College Link Institute

Student Leader Research Project

Questions used in FCR Interview

Please take a few minutes to answer the following questions by checking the box that most accurately represents what you believe.

For how many of your friends who have come to Christ would you say you played a key role?

RESPONSE OPTIONS: 1) none 2) 1 - 3 3) 4 -8 4) more than 8

How did you come to put your faith in Christ?

RESPONSE OPTIONS:1) one on one with youth pastor/staff 2) one on one with an adult 3) one on one with other teen 4) parents/family 5) I was by myself 6) through a youth group program/event 7) other

What is the most important thing you do as a leader in your youth group?

RESPONSE OPTIONS:1) invite friends 2) encourage others 3) provide up-front leadership 4) lead a small group 4) meet with other leaders 5) plan meetings/activities 6) share my faith

What has been the biggest personal obstacle you've faced to your leading others to Christ?

RESPONSE OPTIONS: 1) my own fears 2) my lack of training 3) my busy schedule 4) I need someone to get me started

What has helped you the most to become a person that works at leading others to Christ?

RESPONSE OPTIONS: 1) youth pastor/key adult 2) my parent(s) 3) Christian friends 4) youth group meetings 5) special huge conference 6) missions trip 7) my own experiences 8) small group meetings

What is most helpful to you as you try to convince your friends to put their faith in Christ?

RESPONSE OPTIONS: 1) adults who care 2) leadership team 3) other friends 4) youth group meetings 5) special conferences 6) special trips/retreats 7) special activities 8) small group meetings

For each of the following statements, please place a check in the ONE box that most accurately reflects what your personal experiences have been in the last six months.

RESPONSE OPTIONS FOR EACH STATEMENT BELOW:

1) never happens 2) seldom happens 3) about monthly 4) about weekly 5) few times weekly 6) about daily 7) few times daily

I pray for opportunities to tell someone about Jesus

I pray specifically for one particular friend to become a Christian

I pray with others so that our specific friends will become Christians

I organize others to pray for specific friends who need to become Christians

I do some things just so I can build friendships with classmates who aren't Christians

I invite non-Christian friends to large group activities where I know they will learn about Jesus

I invite non-Christian friends to join me in a small group where they will learn about Jesus

I invite non-Christian friends to talk with me about Jesus

I invite non-Christian friends to talk about Jesus with an adult friend I know

I help plan events where non-Christians can hear about Jesus

I tell my non-Christian friends what my personal relationship with Jesus Christ means to me

I pray with non-Christian friends for special problems

I explain to non-Christians how they can begin a relationship with Jesus Christ

I pray with non-Christians when they ask Jesus to come into their life

I hang out with my church friends

I am involved in church-related activities

I read the Bible on my own

I memorize Scripture

I've seen a teenage friend lead an individual into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ

I've seen an adult lead an individual into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ

I've seen one of my parents lead an individual into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ

I've been coached or trained by an adult about how to share my faith with others

I've been coached or trained by another teen about how to share my faith with others

I've met with an adult individually to talk about my own walk with the Lord

I've gone out with a team of friends for the single purpose of sharing our faith

Thanks for your help!

Student Leadership Research Project

Data Collection Design for Round Two Interview Template

Demographics

Gender? Male _____ Female _____ Grade? _____

For how many of your friends who have come to Christ would you say you played a key role?

none _____ 1-3 _____ 4-8 _____ more than 8 _____

What groups are you involved in at your school?

student council _____ class officers _____ sports _____ band _____

drama _____ academic _____ not much _____ other (specify) _____

If you have a part-time job, about how many hours per week do you work?

don't have job _____ 1-9 _____ 10-15 _____ 16-20 _____ more than 20 _____

What positions or offices have you held at your school?

President _____ Captain of sports team _____ Vice President _____

Secretary _____ Club Officer _____ Other (specify) _____ None _____

How would you describe your role on the youth group's ministry team?

Vocal leader _____ Helper/behind the scenes _____ Worker _____

Creative person _____ Loner _____ Prayer Warrior _____

Youth Pastor's helper _____ Other _____

Interview Questions

1) Looking back over your last 6 months of involvement with ( _____ ), how many friends have you invited to a ( _____ ) meeting that were not already involved?

...1 or more ...zero

1a) Why? Why did you invite Why? What has kept you from

others to ( _____ )? bringing friends to ( _____ )?

1b) What about your group gave you confidence that it would be OK socially to

invite your friends? (be sure to probe beyond “unity”)

1c) What about your group gave you confidence that it would help your friends find

Christ if you invited them?

1d) How would kids at school describe your youth group?

2) Do you consider it important that student leaders are good examples in their

Christian life? (probe)

3) Do you have any regular one-on-one meeting time with an adult where you are helped to grow in your faith and responsibility as a student leader?

3a) Who? (no name necessary) What role does this person play in your life? Ex:

father, pastor, etc.

3b) How did this meeting first come about? When? What goes on? Describe details.

3c) Are you held accountable in any way? Describe.

4) Have you ever seen someone lead a person to Christ?

...yes ...no

4a) Any chance it was the person How do you think that could

you meet with one-on-one? help you as a student leader?

4b) Any chance it was a teenage peer?

4c) Describe what you remember.

5) Have you ever individually led another student to faith in Jesus Christ?

...yes ...no

5a) How? What one thing do you think Why not? What one thing would you

was most instrumental in the process say was missing that you think would of leading them to Christ? have “opened the door” to lead a peer to

Christ?

6) What is the one personal experience or training event that most effectively developed you to be a student leader who reaches your friends for Christ? Describe.

6a) What one experience or training strategy from this point forward do you believe

would most contribute to your growth as a student leader who reaches others for Christ?

7) Describe what role (if any) missions or service trips have played in your development as a student leader.

8) What is the philosophy of ( __youth ministry___ )? How would you describe its purposes?

9) As a student leader, are you clear about what is expected of you? Please explain.

9a) Are the expectations just described the same for everyone who is a student

leader, or are there some differences?

9b) How are these expectations communicated to you?

9c) Do you have contracts or covenants?

END OF INTERVIEW