DESCRIPTION:

This course gives an overview of contemporary culture, especially as it affects youth ministry; provides foundational and historical youth ministry concepts, models and philosophies. In addition, a broad spectrum of ministry programs and issues will be addressed, such as "the changing family," recruitment and care of volunteers, organizing a ministry program, missions and service, outreach to adolescents, camping, etc.

From a human perspective, the future of the church rests in the hands of the next generation. How those in power pass on the Christian faith to children and adolescents will determine the shape of the church for years to come. Understanding the nature of human and spiritual development, how to read a culture, how to solicit support and adult ownership and how to develop programs and models that reach an adolescent subculture will honor God by preparing them for service in the Kingdom.

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

Clark, Chap. The Youth Worker's Handbook to Family Ministry. Zondervan/Youth Specialties, 1997.

Clark, Chap, Kendra Dean & Dave Rahn. Starting Right: A Practical Theology of Youth Ministry. Zondervan/Youth Specialties, 2001.

Fields, Doug. Purpose Driven Youth Ministry. Zondervan/Youth Specialties, 1998 (390 pages).

Mueller, Walter. Understanding Today's Youth Culture. Rev. ed. Tyndale, 1998 (260 pages).

250 pages of recommended reading (or other reading approved by the professor).

Jones, Karen & Dave Rahn. Youth Ministry That Transforms. Zondervan/Youth Specialties, 2001.

Lambert, Dan. Teaching That Makes a Difference: How to Teach for Holistic Impact. Zondervan/Youth Specialties, 2004.

Nichols, Sharon L. & Thomas L. Good. America's Teenagers--Myths and Realities: Media Images, Schooling, & the Social Costs of Careless Indifferences. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2004.

Olson, Ginny, Diane Elliot & Mike Work. Youth Ministry Management Tools. Zondervan/Youth Specialties, 2000.

Rice, W. Junior High Ministry. Rev. ed. Zondervan/Youth Specialties, 1998.

Robbins, Duffy. This Way to Youth Ministry: An Introduction to the Adventure. Zondervan/Youth Specialties, 2004.

Stevenson, D. & Barbara L. Schneider. The Ambitious Generation: America's Teenagers, Motivated but Directionless. Yale University Press, 1999.

• Five 2-3 page reflections on the readings.

• A midterm on the lectures.

• A final project which reflects a programmatic interpretation of the course content.

Meets M.Div. core requirement in Christian Formation and Discipleship (MIN 4); a required course for M.Div. concentration in Youth, Family and Culture; and for M.A. in Youth, Family and Culture.