Aubrey Malphurs

1. Your "Values Driven Leadership" is among the 10-14 books that have radically changed my thinking. How can someone better understand and accurately discern their actual values versus their articulated values?

It's fairly simple. Ask; What is the evidence that this is an actual value? There is obvious evidence for actual values and little for aspirational.

2. What are some of the important issues youth workers should keep in mind as they work with and lead volunteers in their ministry?

The importance of a clear mission and vision and values for the youth ministry and how they fit into the same for church as a whole. They can't repeat this enough to any ovlunteers. Also keep in mind that most people come to faith in their youth. Thus youth ministry is critical to the life of any church.

3. Describe a difficult time in your life or ministry and how your faith changed as a result.

Early on, while in school, we (my wife and I) wondered if we would survive on such little income, we were really poor. However, God had taught us prior to going to seminary that he would provide for our legitimate needs. And I can attest that he did and we survived.

4. What six resources would your recommend to youth workers on leadership and vision? (why would be great but not necessary)

My trilogy on leadership:

Being Leaders (Defines leadership)

Building Leaders (Tells how to develop leaders)

Leading Leaders (Addresses Board issues)

Developing Your Vision

Advanced Strategic Planning (Addresses vision, mission & strategy)

Wait a minute, these are all my books. :-) Sorry about that but I wrote them all to address what I believe are vital areas in ministry.

5. Which 3 of your 18 books do you think would most benefit a typical youth worker?

Values Driven Leadership, Being Leaders & Building Leaders.

6. What is the greatest joy you have in your ministry?

To come alongside churches and see them capture a fresh vision for their future that exalts Christ.

7. How can we better strengthen and protect our character and reputation?

To discover what our strengths and weaknesses and genuinely address the latter on a daily basis.

8. What's the most unique thing you've ever bought on e-bay?

Sorry but I've not used ebay, now Amazon, that's another story.

9. What are the biggest frustrations you hear from full time youth workers in your consulting with churches?

A senior pastor that's not a leader and isn't a person of integrity. It's tough to follow and support such a person. Churches need to do a better job selecting senior pastors who believe in strong youth ministries and fully suport such ministries

10. You deal with analyzing trends and research while talking about the future of the church and how churches need to change. In light of that, how does youth ministry need to change?

Make sure that the ministry is about more than fun and games. Address issues that young people are facing from the Scriptures. Let them know that the Bible has real life answers for real life issues. Finally, prepare them for what they'll face in college. My church (Lake Pointe Church in Rockwell, TX) does a fantastic job of this.

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Aubrey Malphurs has been a professor of Pastoral Ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary for over 25 years and he is also the President of The Malphurs Group. As president of the Malphurs Group and is a trainer and consultant to churches, denominations and ministry organizations throughout North America and Europe. His research and teaching interests include church planting, church growth and leadership development.

Dr. Malphurs is a visionary with a deep desire to influence a new generation of leaders through his classroom, pulpit, consulting and writing ministries. He is involved in a number of ministries ranging from church planting and growth to leadership development. He has also served three churches as pastor and is the author of numerous books and articles on leadership and church ministry.