Impact of Tweens’ (Ages 8–12) Leadership Experience Over Other Children as Children Shepherds in House Church Ministries on Their Self-Concept Development as They Build Up the Body of Christ

Abstract

This qualitative study is designed to explore how tween (ages 8–12) children shepherds in house church ministry develop their positive self-concept, through their helping leadership experience over other children. The purpose of the current study is articulated in the following three research questions: (a)What is the influence on self-concept development? (b) What environment/relational factors impact self-concept? (c) What is the influence of systematic support on tweens’ leadership experience? A total of 30 children shepherds participated in in-depth interviews (n = 30); 27 children shepherds’ parents participated in the short surveys (n = 27): seven ministers/volunteers participated in unstructured interviews (n = 7) from five different local churches with the house church ministry in Texas and California. There are seven emerging themes implicating that children shepherds in the tween period could develop their positive self-concept along with the development of sociability, pro-sociality, and proactivity. Children shepherds’ holistic self-concept development is brought up by the social-emotional and programmatically practical support from church ministry. At the same time, this development can potentially influence their successful social adjustment in the faith community so that they can contribute to building up the body of Christ as members of the church in return. Furthermore, these findings extend their implications to examine the possibility of building up a novel model for the new era of children's ministry—Ministry by Children as children lead the ministry with their active participation and holistic dedication to their faith community.