Francis E. Clark (September 12, 1851–May 26, 1927) is considered by many to be the founder of modern youth ministry. Concerned with the disconnection of young adults from his congregation, he created a segregated prayer ministry that he called the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor (Y.P.S.C.E). Armed with an “iron-clad” pledge, a weekly newsletter, and the incessant travels of its founder, the society grew to be a worldwide organization boasting more than 4 million members by the time of his death at the age of 75.
CannisterM. (2001). Youth ministry's historical context: The education and evangelism of young people. In DeanK., ClarkC., & RahnD. (Eds.), Starting right: Thinking theologically about youth ministry (pp. 77–90). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
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ChaplinW. K. (1903). Francis E. Clark.Nottingham, UK: J&J Vice.
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ClarkE. (1930). A son's portrait of Dr. Francis E. Clark.Boston, MA: Williston Press.
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ClarkF. E. (1882). The children and the church and the Young People's Society as a means of bringing them together.Boston, MA: Congregational Sunday-School and Publishing Society.
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ClarkF.E. (1895). World wide endeavor: The story of the Young people's society of Christian endeavor, from the beginning and in all lands.Philadelphia. Gillespie.
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ClarkF. E. (1922). Memories of many men in many lands. An autobiography.Boston, MA: United Society of Christian Endeavor.
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KuklickB. (1985). Churchmen and philosophers: From Jonathan Edwards to John DeweyNew Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
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NilesK. (1929). A survey and critique of Young People's Societies.Religious Education, 24, 526–535.
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SenterM. (2010). When God shows up: A history of Protestant youth ministry in America.Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.
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A Few Other Selected Resources About Francis E. Clark and Christian Endeavor
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Publications by Francis E. Clark
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ClarkF. E. (1895). World-wide endeavor.Philadelphia, PA: Gillespie and Metzgar.
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ClarkF. E. (1902). Training the church of the future.New York, NY: Funk and Wagnalls.
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ClarkF. E. (1903). Christian Endeavor manual.Boston, MA: United Society of Christian Endeavor.
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ClarkF. E. (1906). Christian Endeavor in all lands.Philadelphia, PA: Winston.
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ClarkF. E. (1916). Christ and the young people.New York, NY: Fleming H. Revell.
CannisterM. (2001). Youth ministry's historical context: The education and evangelism of young people. In DeanK., ClarkC., & RahnD. (Eds.), Starting right: Thinking theologically about youth ministry (pp. 77–90). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
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ChalmersT. (1893). The juvenile revival: Or the philosophy of the Christian Endeavor Movement.St. Louis, MO: Christian Publishing Company.
21.
ChaplinW. K. (1903). Francis E. Clark.Nottingham, UK: J & J Vice.
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PollockJ. (1929). The British manual of Christian Endeavor (7th ed.). London, UK: Christian Endeavor Union of Great Britain and Ireland.
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PrattD. (1891). A decade of Christian Endeavor.New York, NY: Fleming H. Revell.
24.
WellsA. (1896). Prayer meeting methods: How to prepare for and conduct Christian Endeavor prayer meetings and similar gatherings.Boston, MA: United Society of Christian Endeavor.
