| This dissertation is a 360-degree analysis of the leadership styles of Southern Baptist ministers of youth. Many experts in the field of youth ministry agree that there is a current crisis in this field. Though many possible causes and combinations of causes have been suggested, the common thread linking all of these is leadership. How a leader merges resonance with practice is a question of leadership style, which is the focus of this work.;A review of the literature including the theological basis of: church, a theology of Christian education, a biblical view of human development, youth ministry, and leadership as well as spiritual gifts are covered. Biblical models of leadership including the Good Shepherd, servanthood, and Nehemiah are discussed. The education and leadership considerations of adolescent development theories and leadership theories are discussed at length. The Biological, Psychoanalytical, Psycho-Social, Cognitive, Ecological, Social Cognitive, Anthropological, and Moral views of adolescent development are covered.;The methodological design including the population and sample, instrumentation and procedures are also given attention. The study uses the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire that provides for 360-degree measurement of a target leader through a “leader form” and “rater forms” which was administered to the ministers of youth and from four to twelve constituents in their ministry. The completed instruments were analyzed to determine the predominant leadership styles of ministers of youth in Southern Baptist churches in light of the five research questions.;The study identified the predominant self-perceived leadership style among Southern Baptist ministers of youth as Idealized Behaviors. This was also the predominant leadership style identified by various youth ministry constituents. The study further found associations between various youth minister demographic characteristics and leadership styles from several different perspectives. Some associations were also detected between leadership style and church factors. The research identified some possible growth opportunities for youth ministers to increase their leadership style level. The study concluded that Southern Baptist youth minister leadership practices are sound, but leadership resonance may be lacking. |
