DESCRIPTION:

This course explores the biblical mandate to "go and make disciples" as it relates to the adolescent subculture. Students will learn how to articulate and pass on to others the biblical and theological view of evangelism and outreach. Through readings, lecture, projects, and discussion, students will learn how to design an incarnational as well as relational ministry program which takes seriously Christian care and evangelism with unbelieving students. Issues covered are: the content and message of the Gospel as it relates to an age-specific population, contemporary models of youth evangelism, and the partnership and networking of local parishes and the parachurch.

In contemporary youth ministry evangelistic models abound, but are they truly effective, or even theologically advisable? This course will enable the student to develop a biblically sound as well as culturally relevant theology of youth outreach and evangelism. The student will develop an appreciation for the thoughts and motivation of the secular person, thus enabling the Spirit to work in the lives of those we are trying to reach.

Class will meet weekly for three-hour sessions. Lectures, class discussion, and presentations by various guest experts will make up the class time. Each student will complete a detailed final project.

Peace, Richard. Conversion in the New Testament. Eerdmans, 1999.

Posterski, D. Reinventing Evangelism. InterVarsity Press, 1990.

Clark, Chap. An Inside Look at the American Teenager. Baker Academic, forthcoming (manuscript will be available from the Fuller bookstore).

Van Gelder, Craig, ed. Confident Witness--Changing World: Rediscovering the Gospel in North America. Eerdmans, 1999.

Brueggemann, W. Biblical Perspectives on Evangelism: Living in a Three-Storied Universe. Abingdon, 1993.

Dockery, D. S., ed. The Challenge of Postmodernism: An Evangelical Engagement. Baker, 1997.

Guder, D. The Continuing Conversion of the Church. Eerdmans, 2000.

Guder, D., ed. Missional Church. Eerdmans, 1998.

Hauerwas, S. With the Grain of the Universe: The Church's Witness and Natural Theology. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2001.

Klaiber, W. Call and Response: Biblical Foundations of a Theology of Evangelism. Abingdon, 1997.

Kreider, A. The Change of Conversion and the Origin of Christendom. Trinity Press, 1999.

Richardson, R. Evangelism Outside the Box. InterVarsity Press, 2000.

Rudnick, M. Speaking the Gospel through the Ages: A History of Evangelism. Concordia, 1984.

Salter, D. American Evangelism: Its Theology and Practice. Baker, 1996.

Wuthnow, R. After Heaven: Spirituality in America since the 1950s. Univ. of California Press, 1998.

1. Interview a full-time youth ministry parachurch staff member and submit a paper comparing and contrasting the organization's philosophy, theology, and methodology to content of course.

2. Complete a midterm on the lectures and readings.

3. Complete a final project which reflects the course content.

Meets M.Div. core requirement in Evangelism (MIN 3).