The National Study of Youth and Religion: An
Exclusive Interview with Dr. Christian Smith
Dan Lambert

               In this exclusive interview with Dr. Christian Smith (assoc. chair of Sociology at UNC Chapel Hill), Dr. Smith articulates his initial interest in undertaking a research project on American youth and religion. Dr. Smith answers questions regarding his research team, the scope of his "religious" study, challenges and goals for the study, as well as the study's potential to add to an understanding of adolescent religiosity. Smith points out that most research on American adolescent religiosity is purely theoretical, inaccurate and flawed, or simply out of date; this research project hopes to find "nationally representative and up-to-date empirical knowledge about adolescent religiosity." Dr. Smith also hopes that this research will lead to a "baseline stage for longitudinal research on religious influences in people's lives."

Lessons Learned on My Link Institute Research Journey
Dave Rahn

               With a new passion for research in his faculty position after receiving his doctorate, Dave Rahn embarked on a journey to cast vision and gain support for his new research endeavor. Showing the administration the study's great benefits for his institution, Rahn gained their support and moved forth with his research. Describing the joys and challenges of assessing the effectiveness of DCLA '94, DCLA '97 and YouthFest, Rahn leaves us with the positive aspects of how such research can advance an institution through the fulfillment of institutional goals and objectives.

Grounded Theory as a Scientific Methodology for Youth Ministry Research
Terence D. Linhart

               This article asserts that qualitative research, specifically in the form of grounded theory, can have an invaluable impact on youth ministry research. Grounded theory is described as "theory which emerges from the data, rather than preceding the data in the form of a hypothesis" (Lincoln and Guba, 1985). Linhart describes the process of "constant comparison analysis" which leads the researcher to a central focus in the qualitative data. He asserts that effective grounded theory generates conclusions which accurately represent the data rather than trying to fit data to a hypothesis and that this research method is uniquely helpful in youth ministry research with social process quality.

The Nature of God from an Adolescent Perspective:
Bibilcal, Developmental, and Theological Insights
Robert W. Pazmiño

               This article explores adolescent views on God through following three Biblical examples of adolescence seeking what can be learned from their growth to adulthood. He also looks at developmental studies seeking a better glimpse of how youth see and experience God and he explores theological perspectives to present youth with Truth that will foster their relationship with God. Pazmino's theological perspective includes these six prepositions with the corresponding characteristic of God: 1.) God for us and me: God as triune. 2.) God despite us and me: God as holy and concerned about sin. 3.) God with us and me: God as incarnate in Jesus and a person like us. 4.) God in us and me: God as the Holy Spirit who encounters our spirits. 5.) God through us and me: God's presence in the church and the world. 6.) God beyond us and me: God as mystery and present in the future.

Understanding and Counseling Youth: A Biblical Cardiology
Tim Cantrell

               In this article the author offers a unique, powerful, and appealing solution to the malaise in our society over youth-related problems.  All who seek to help today's hurting youth need to be equipped with an essential tool  what the author calls a "biblical cardiology." This refers to a Scriptural understanding and evaluation of the inner person, with special emphasis on diagnosing and remedying their problems through the authoritative and all-sufficient Word of God. The author begins by summarizing today's major youth problems, followed by a survey of popular diagnoses which actually seem to worsen the problem in many cases. This is because most interpretations of youth issues are rooted in questionable sources. So in contrast to this, the biblical alternative is then presented, showing that only the truly Christian counselor can get to the root of a young person's problem and offer the best remedies. Our young people's greatest need is first for a new heart with the new desires it brings, and then for a heart that keeps growing in both godly roots and godly fruits.

The State of the Professoriate: An Empirical Study
of Youth Ministry Professors in North America
Mark W. Cannister

               This study of youth ministries faculty at colleges and seminaries in North America, revealed a variety of information concerning the general characteristics of this population, academic and ministry backgrounds, involvement in scholarship, professional career issues, institutional relationships, and the perceived scope of the field of youth ministries.
               The purpose of this study was two fold. First, the challenge was to create a profile of youth ministry professors in North America by examining their demographic characteristics, institutional distinctives, and professional views of the field of youth ministry. Second, it is the intent of this study to examine these elements and to encourage further dialogue among colleagues and proactive strategic planning for the future of the discipline as it develops and matures. This study is highly limited in that it simply serves as a snapshot in time, describing the current state of the professoriate, and provides little if any insight into the discussion concerning the attributes necessary to be an effective professor of youth ministry.

Identity Formation and the Challenge of Individuation in Youth Ministry
Malan Nel

                 Adolescence in the 21^st century challenges churches and youth ministry in specific to rethink how we support adolescents in identity formation. The many different contexts in and with which adolescents have to cope makes the development of a coherent self complex, almost impossible, and even highly unlikely. Developing  narcissistic individualism is not only possible but highly likely. The challenge is to give guidance and support in the process of individualization (socially speaking) and individuation (psychologically speaking). This article is an attempt by Malan Nel to stimulate this discussion and hopefully further empirical research as to how churches are doing and what should be done to facilitate initiation, guidance and discernment on this road of developing a coherent self. Or to put in words used before: to facilitate 'self-reliant spiritual functioning' (Firet, 1986).