Thesis

On May 18, 2013, I graduated from Lincoln Christian Seminary (at Lincoln Christian University) with my Master of Arts degree in General Ministry with a focus in Youth Ministry and Counseling. In order to complete my degree, I was tasked with writing a thesis. Below is the main idea, a periodic log of my progress, and a list of the sources used in my research. If you would like read the entire paper, let me know, and I can send you a PDF.

The Main Idea:

The main idea behind my M.A. thesis is mentoring — specifically adult-to-teen mentoring. My goal is to prove its importance (necessity?) in a church’s ministry to teens. I looked into how the church ministers to teens, with the underlining idea that we should make mentoring the groundwork of the ministry. I talked with organizations like “Big Brothers Big Sisters” and “The Mentoring Project,” as they are two of the top mentoring organizations in the country. In the end, I learned a great deal about mentoring from the Bible, secular culture, and church practices. I also formed a solid groundwork for mentoring within the modern church. In fact, my original beliefs were changed a bit, as I learned that while mentoring is incredibly important, experts say an official mentoring ministry is suggested to run alongside other efforts to minister to teens. Nonetheless, I also learned that the concepts of mentoring are the best way to disciple teenagers. Below the “progress updates” section is the full list of resources I used for my research.

Progress Updates (newest posts at the bottom of list):
(Last update: May 21, 2013)
*I apologize for not time/date stamping the older updates.

• The majority of my research is complete. I am still waiting to hear back from 2 mentoring organizations.
• I am working on setting up interviews with Big Brothers Big Sisters and The Mentoring Project.
• I have completed my thesis proposal, only to find that I have started off incorrectly. I am in the process of rewriting the proposal.
• I have rewritten the proposal and awaiting my advisor’s comments.
• My proposal was approved! I received some pointers, and I have been given the green light to work on my first chapter.
• I sent in the first draft of my first chapter and waiting to hear back from my advisor.
• I am currently working on my second chapter.
• I sent in the first draft of my second chapter and now waiting to hear back from my advisor on it, as well.
• I did an e-mail interview with Big Brothers Big Sisters and gained a TON of new research from both their website and mentor.org.
• I am about half-way through the research needed for my third chapter. I hope to start writing soon, and it looks like I am still on pace to finish it by the end of March.
• I started my third chapter, but I was a bit confused on the format, so I am waiting to discuss the situation with my advisor, who is also supposed to return my first two chapters soon.
• I am approximately halfway through writing my third chapter.
• Good news and bad news: I got my first two chapters returned, and I only have a few things to correct and expand upon. The bad news is that I was just informed that I must change my writing style/format to Chicago/Turabian instead of MLA. This will mainly affect my citation style and bibliography format.
• Just finished updating my Works Cited (MLA) to a Bibliography (Chicago). Thankful that it was not too difficult. Now to go back and edit my first two chapters, putting in some footnotes and other recommendations from my advisor.
• Sent in the second draft of chapter 1 with a ton of new footnote citations. Beginning to work on the second draft of chapter 2.
• I finished the second draft of chapter 2, fixed a few things I noticed I mixed up in the second draft of chapter 1, and sent them both to my advisor. Now, back to chapter 3, switching over my MLA citations for Turabian, and then finishing it.
• So… Good news bad news. I was informed that my deadline is now earlier than originally planned. Basically, the next 2 weeks of my life are basically going to be filled with thesis, thesis, and more thesis. However, I will be done earlier than planned.
• Chapter 3 is done and sent off to my advisor!! Wow… I’m not going to get much sleep “tonight.” (4:15 AM on 3/24/13)
• I am currently on the sixth page of chapter 4, with the goal of finishing by this weekend. (10:21 PM on 3/27/13)
• Just started the eighth page of chapter 4. I’m on a good pace, so it is time for bed. (12:38 AM on 3/28/13)
• Starting the tenth page for chapter 4. Getting tired, so I think I’ll call it a night, especially since I’ve got most of tomorrow to work on it. (12:07 AM on 3/29/13)
• I just finished chapter 4 and sent it in to my advisor. (8:30 PM on 3/29)
• After a couple days off to rest and serve at RCC for our Easter festivities, I’m back to writing. Currently on the second page of chapter 5, the final chapter. (4:25 PM on 4/1/13)
• I’m on page 9 of my final chapter. Time for bed soon. (2:40 AM on 4/2/13)
• I’m on page 11 of my final chapter, with just one section left to write, before going back for clean-ups and proofreading! (5:50 PM on 4/2/13)
• I just sent off my final chapter (5) to my advisor! Now, I wait to hear back from him on re-writes, edits, and formatting before I start to put it all together in one document, add my updated table of contents, write a preface and abstract, and include anything else that might be missing. (10:20 PM on 4/2/13)
• After having a couple friends proofread my final document, I have compiled all chapters into the final format, and I have added the table of contents, preface, abstract, appendix, and bibliography. I just sent it off to my advisor, and I am hoping to hear back from him soon. (2:35 PM on 4/9/13)
• I received some minor edits from my advisor on late Friday evening, and I plan to start completing those edits tonight, with the goal of finishing them and turning in the final product by Wednesday. (7:50 PM on 4/29/13)
• All edits are done (except a couple tiny things I had questions about), page numbers added, and just emailed… all 99 pages of it. Feeling good! (9:35 PM on 5/1/13)
• I just heard back that my second reader found a couple VERY small things I needed to correct (capitalization, one misspelled quote, and a 2-sentence paragraph), so I fixed those things and sent it back in. I think this might be it! (11:45 PM on 5/5/13)
• I graduated on May 18, 2013, with my M.A. in General Ministry, with a focus in youth ministry/counseling! Praise God!!

Research Bibliography:

• Alleyne, Sonia. “Go Ahead, Be a Mentor.” Black Enterprise (June 2006), http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1365/is_11_36/ai_n16533071/print (accessed October 11, 2006).
• Baber, Kristine M. “Mentoring Youth.” University of New Hampshire College of Health and Human Services website, last modified June 2005, http://www.chhs.unh.edu/sites/chhs.unh.edu/files/docs/fs/adolescent_resources/
• Mentoring_Youth.pdf.
• Bell, Rob. Velvet Elvis. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005.
• Bergen, Abe. “Authentic Mentoring.” Group (Jan/Feb 1999), http://archive.youthministry.com/details.asp?ID=1249 (accessed March 18, 2013).
• “Big impact–proven results.” Big Brothers Big Sisters website, http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.9iILI3NGKhK6F/b.5961035/k.A153/Big_impact8212proven_results.htm (Accessed March 5, 2013).
• Biehl, Bobb. Mentoring: Confidence in Finding a Mentor and Becoming One.  Nashville:  Broadman and Holman Publishers, 1996.
• Boshers, Bo. “Jesus-Style Mentoring.” Group (Nov/Dec 2005), http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3835/is_200511/ai_n15742953/print (accessed October 11, 2006).
• “A Brief Overview of Catholic Schools in America.” National Catholic Education Association website, http://www.ncea.org/about/historicaloverviewofcatholicschoolsinamerica.asp (accessed March 21, 2013).
• Campbell, Regi. Mentor Like Jesus. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2009. Kindle edition.
• “Career-focused Mentoring for Youth: The What, Why, and How.” U.S. Department of Labor website, http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/fact/cfm.htm (accessed February 27, 2013).
• “CAYM Mentoring Best Practices.” Christian Association of Youth Mentoring, http://caym.org/www/default/ckfinder/userfiles/25/files/1_%20CAYM%20Best%20Practices(1).pdf (accessed March 27, 2013).
• The Center for Evidence-Based Mentoring, http://www.umbmentoring.org (accessed March 23, 2013).
• Claassen, Lorraine, and Thurman Williams. “Building Youth Mentoring Programs.” University of Kansas – The Community Tool Box website, http://ctb.ku.edu/en/tablecontents/sub_section_main_1197.aspx (accessed March 5, 2013).
• “Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.” Catholic Online Catholic Encyclopedia, http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=2925 (accessed March 21, 2013).
• Corry, Donald J.K., “Organic Ministry: Early Church Practices of Mentoring and Mission.” Master of Theological Studies thesis, McMaster Divinity College, 2008. Open Access Dissertations and Theses (Paper 5293).
• Cutshall, John. “Intensive Caring: Practical Ways to Mentor Youth/Successful Youth Mentoring.” Group (Sept/Oct 1998), http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3835/is_199809/ai_n8825369/print (accessed October 11, 2006).
• Drury, Keith, Bill Eakin, Tim Elmore, Andy Fletcher, Steve Gardnet, Tim Mills, Art O’Dell, Dave Scherer, Richard Wynn, and Gail Zainea. Successful Youth Mentoring. Loveland: Group Publishing, 1998.
• DuBois, David L. “Effectiveness of Mentoring Program Practices.” Research in Action. Issue 2. 2007, http://www.mentoring.org/downloads/mentoring_383.pdf.
• DuBois, David L., Bruce E. Holloway, Jeffrey C. Valentine, and Harris Cooper. “Effectiveness of Mentoring Programs for Youth: A Meta-Analytic Review.” American Journal of Community Psychology 30.2 (Apr. 2002), http://www.wmich.edu/evalphd/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Effectiveness-of-Mentoring-Programs-for-Youth.pdf.
• DuBois, David L., and Michael J. Karcher. Handbook of Mentoring Youth. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, 2005.
• Elmore, Tim. The Greatest Mentors in the Bible: 32 Relationships God Used to Change the World: A Devotional Guide. Kingdom Publishing House, 1996. Quoted in Tammy Wright, Grant T. Bird, and Doug Fields, Mentoring from Start to Finish: How to Start and Maintain a Healthy Mentoring Program for Teenagers (Loveland: Group Publishing, 2010), PDF version, 13.
• Harr, Eric. “You Get What You Give: Mentoring Isn’t Just a Great Way to Help Others; It Might Even Inspire You to Achieve Your Own Goals Too – Get Motivated.” Shape (Sept 2003), http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0846/is_1_23/ai_107488045/print (accessed October 11, 2006).
• Hastings, Henry W. III. “The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Believer.” Chafer Theological Seminary Pastor’s Conference (2006). http://www.archangelbibleministries.org/notes/role_of_holy_spirit.pdf (accessed March 20, 2013).
• Hendricks, Howard G., and William D. Hendricks. As Iron Sharpens Iron: Building Character in a Mentoring Relationship. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 1995. Kindle edition.
• Higgs, Mike. Youth Ministry from the Inside Out. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2003.
• “History.” Christian Association of Youth Mentoring website, http://caym.org/history (accessed March 27, 2013).
• “History.” Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City website, http://www.bigsnyc.org/a-history.php (accessed March 5, 2013).
• Hoehl, Stacy. “The Mentor Relationship: An Exploration of Paul as Loving Mentor to Timothy and the Application of this Relationship to Contemporary Leadership Challenges.” Journal of Biblical Perspectives in Leadership 3, no. 2 (Summer 2011), 32-47. http://www.regent.edu/acad/global/publications/jbpl/vol3no2/JBPL_Vol3No2_Hoehl_pp32-47.pdf (accessed February 16, 2013).
• Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary, The Tyndale reference library. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.
• Joiner, Reggie. Think Orange: Imagine the Impact When Church and Family Collide. Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2009.
• Joiner, Reggie, and Carey Nieuwhof. Parenting Beyond Your Capacity. Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2010. Kindle edition.
• Jones, G. Brian, Linda Phillips-Jones, Kevyn Jones, and Wally Unruh. “Mentoring Examples in the Bible (Part 1)” Faith Centered Mentoring and More website, http://www.faithmentoringandmore.com/html/articles/idea_6.htm (accessed March 19, 2013).
• Jones, G. Brian, Linda Phillips-Jones, Kevyn Jones, and Wally Unruh. “Mentoring Examples in the Bible (Part 2)” Faith Centered Mentoring and More website, http://www.faithmentoringandmore.com/html/articles/idea_7.htm (accessed March 19, 2013).
• Karcher, Michael, and Carla Herrera. “School-Based Mentoring.” Research in Action. Issue 6. 2007, http://www.mentoring.org/downloads/mentoring_387.pdf.
• Keating, Lisa M. “The Effects of a Mentoring Program on At-Risk Youth.” Adolescence (Winter 2002), http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2248/is_148_37/ai_97723209/print (accessed October 11, 2006).
• Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
• Keller, Thomas E. “Program Staff in Youth Mentoring Programs: Qualifications, Training, and Retention.” Research in Action. Issue 3. 2007, http://www.mentoring.org/downloads/mentoring_384.pdf.
• “The latest news–big and little.” Big Brothers Big Sisters website, http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.9iILI3NGKhK6F/b.5961563/k.F90D/The_latest_news8212big_and_little.htm (accessed March 9, 2013).
• Lerner, Richard M., Aerika S. Brittian, and Kristen E. Fay. “Mentoring: A Key Resource for Promoting Positive Youth Development.” Research in Action. Issue 1. 2007, http://www.mentoring.org/downloads/mentoring_382.pdf.
• Lottes, John D. “Jesus as Mentor: Biblical Reflections for Ministry with Young Adults.”  Currents in Theology and Mission (Apr 2005), http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0MDO/is_2_32/ai_n14935367/print (accessed October 11, 2006).
• Matthaei, Sondra Higgins. Faith Matters: Faith Mentoring in the Faith Community. Valley Forge: Trinity Press International, 1996.
• Maxwell, John C. Mentoring 101. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2008. Kindle edition.
• Mendler, Allen N. Connecting with Students. Alexandria: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2001.
•  “Mentoring in America 2005: A Snapshot of the Current State of Mentoring.” MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership (2006), http://www.mentoring.org/downloads/mentoring_333.pdf.
• “Mentoring: It May Change Your Life.” Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research (Fall 2006), http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1128298001.html (accessed March 18, 2013).
• “Mentoring: Why Giving Back is Important – Social Work with Youth – Brief Article.”  Jet (September 10, 2001), http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-78545751.html (accessed March 18, 2013).
• Myers, Allen C. The Eerdmans Bible Dictionary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987.
• “New Study Shows Teens with ‘Natural’ Mentors Have Higher Sense of Self and Take More Positive Risks.” SADD website, last modified December 13, 2006, http://www.sadd.org/teenstoday/mentors.htm (accessed February 27, 2013).
• “Our programs get things started.” Big Brothers Big Sisters website, http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.9iILI3NGKhK6F/b.5968193/k.5031/Our_programs_get_things_started.htm (accessed March 5, 2013).
• “Parachurch.” Wordnik website, http://www.wordnik.com/words/parachurch (accessed March 19, 2013).
• Parrott, Les III. Helping the Struggling Adolescent: A Guide to Thirty-six Common Problems for Counselors, Pastors, and Youth Workers. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000.
• Pennington, April Y. “Joining Forces: Whether You Need a Mentor or Want to Be One, Here’s What You Need to Know to Get Started.” Entrepreneur (June 2004), http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-117420527.html (accessed March 18, 2013).
• “Quality Mentoring Enhances Youth Outcomes – Research – Brief Article.” Camping Magazine (July/Aug 2002), http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1249/is_4_75/ai_88826026/print (accessed October 11, 2006).
• Rahn, Dave. “Outreach Notebook: the Power of Mentoring.” Group (May/June 2004), http://archive.youthministry.com/details.asp?ID=5231 (accessed March 18, 2013).
• Rhodes, Jean E., and David L. DuBois. “Mentoring Relationships and Programs for Youth.” Current Directions in Psychological Science 17.4 (2008): 254-258, http://www.rhodeslab.org/files/RHODESDUBOISCURRENTDIRECTIONS.pdf.
• Rhodes, Jean E., ed.  A Critical View of Youth Mentoring.  San Francisco:  Jossey-Bass, 2002.
• Rhodes, Jean E. “Fostering Close and Effective Relationships in Youth Mentoring Programs.” Research in Action. Issue 4. 2007, http://www.mentoring.org/downloads/mentoring_385.pdf.
• Rhodes, Jean E. “Group Mentoring.” MENTOR website, 2002, http://www.mentoring.org/downloads/mentoring_1323.pdf.
• Rhodes, Jean E. “Gauging the Effectiveness of Youth Mentoring.” MENTOR, 2002, http://www.mentoring.org/downloads/mentoring_1324.pdf.
• Rhodes, Jean E. “Research Roundup.” MENTOR, 2003, http://www.mentoring.org/downloads/mentoring_1315.pdf.
• Rhodes, Jean E. Stand by Me: The Risks and Rewards of Mentoring Today’s Youth. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2002.
• Rhodes, Jean E. “Work based Mentoring.” MENTOR, 2003, http://www.mentoring.org/downloads/mentoring_1310.pdf.
• Rivera, Orlando. “Mentoring Stages in the Relationship between Barnabas and Paul.” Biblical Perspectives (May 2007). http://www.regent.edu/acad/global/publications/bpc_proceedings/2007/rivera.pdf (accessed February 16, 2013).
• Scheetz, Jeffrey. “Mentoring in a PDS Program: What’s in It for Me?” Kappa Delta Pi Record (Fall 2005), http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4006/is_200510/ai_n15642438/print (accessed October 11, 2006).
• Sheneman, Paul. The Art of Mentoring: A 14-Day Study of Biblical Experts, http://discipleshipremix.com/paul/mentoring.pdf.
• Sherman, Amy L. “Mentoring on the Margins: a Ministry to Public Schools.” Christian Century (January 11, 2005), http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_1_122/ai_n8703014/print (accessed October 11, 2006).
• Simpson, Amy, ed. Intensive Caring: Practical Ways to Mentor Youth. Loveland: Group Publishing, 1998.
• Smither, Edward L. Augustine as Mentor: A Model for Preparing Spiritual Leaders. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2008.
• “Something for everyone.” Big Brothers Big Sisters website, http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.9iILI3NGKhK6F/b.5968195/k.7035/Something_for_everyone.htm (accessed March 5, 2013).
• Spencer, Renée. “Why Youth Mentoring Relationships End.” Research in Action. Issue 5. 2007, http://www.mentoring.org/downloads/mentoring_386.pdf.
• “Spiritual Life.” Lincoln Christian University website, http://www.lincolnchristian.edu/students/spiritual-life/#sfg (accessed March 20, 2013).
• “Starting something since 1904.” Big Brothers Big Sisters website, http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.9iILI3NGKhK6F/b.5960955/k.E56C/Starting_something_since_1904.htm (accessed March 5, 2013).
• Stoddard, David A. and Robert J. Tamasy. The Heart of Mentoring: Ten Proven Principles for Developing People to Their Fullest Potential. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2003.
• “Student Ministry.” Westport Church website, http://www.westportchurch.org/ministries/students-mshs (accessed March 19, 2013).
• Taylor, Andrea. “Mentoring Across Generations: Engaging Age 50+ Adults as Mentors.” Research in Action. Issue 8. 2007, http://www.mentoring.org/downloads/mentoring_389.pdf.
• Tierney, Joseph P., Jean Baldwin Grossman, and Nancy L. Resch. “Making a Difference: An Impact Study of Big Brothers Big Sisters.” Public/Private Ventures, 2000, http://www.issuelab.org/click/download2/making_a_difference_in_schools_the_big_brothers_big_sisters_school_based_mentoring_impact_study/publicprivate_ventures_9.pdf.
• Thomas, Nan, and Thomas Trevethan. “Faculty Ministry: A Christian Theology of Mentoring.” InterVarsity website, http://www.intervarsity.org/gfm/faculty/resource/
• a-christian-theology-of-mentoring (accessed March 5, 2013).
• Walker, Mel. Mentoring the Next Generation: A Strategy for Connecting the Generations.  Schaumburg: Regular Baptist Press, 2003.
• “What we achieve.” Big Brothers Big Sisters website, http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.9iILI3NGKhK6F/b.7721453/k.8DB5/What_we_achieve.htm (accessed March 5, 2013).
• Wilbanks, Eric. “Cutting Edge Ministry Today.” MinistryToday website, http://ministriestoday.com/index.php/ministry-life/youth/1072-cutting-edge-youth-ministry (accessed March 19, 2013).
• Wright, Tammy, Grant T. Bird, and Doug Fields. Mentoring from Start to Finish: How to Start and Maintain a Healthy Mentoring Program for Teenagers. Loveland: Group Publishing, 2010. PDF version.
• “Youth Ministry.” YouthPastor.com website, http://www.youthpastor.com/Youth_Ministry/#.UUfA8qWeygc (accessed March 18, 2013).
• Zachary, Lois J. The Mentor’s Guide. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2000.
• Zimmerman, Marc A., Jeffrey B. Bingenheimer, and Paul C. Notaro. “Natural Mentors and Adolescent Resiliency: A Study with Urban Youth.” American Journal of Community Psychology. 30.2 (2002): 221-243.