DESCRIPTION: This course gives an overview of contemporary culture, especially as it affects youth ministry, and provides historical and theological youth ministry concepts and grounding. In addition, a broad spectrum of ministry programs and issues will be addressed, such as "youth ministry as practical theology," the changing family, organizing a ministry program, missions and service, and ministering in a multi-cultural, multi-contextual world.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: 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.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) understand cultural trends that influence and affect adolescents and their families; (2) develop a comprehensive theology and philosophy of youth ministry and know how to obtain and use tools to implement these; (3) understand the different ministry needs of early, middle, and late adolescents, especially in relation to families; (4) create multi-generational relational programs and curriculum that enable discipleship and Christian nurture within a theologically driven framework of congregational ownership and assimilation.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for three-hour sessions of lectures, class discussion, and presentations by guest experts. Each student will complete a detailed final project.

REQUIRED READING: The texts below and 250 pages from the recommended reading are required.

Clark, Chap. Hurt: Inside the World of Today's Teenagers. Baker Academic, 2004.

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

Clark, Chap & Kara Powell. Deep Ministry in a Shallow World. Youth Specialties/Zondervan, 2006.

Okholm, Dennis L., ed. The Gospel in Black and White: Theological Resources for Racial Reconciliation. InterVarsity Press, 1997. 165 pages.

Emerson, Michael O. & Christian Smith. Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America. Oxford University Press, 2000.

Jacobsen, Eric O. Sidewalks in the Kingdom: New Urbanism and the Christian Faith. Brazos, 2003.

Johnston, Robert K., ed. The Use of the Bible in Theology: Evangelical Options. Wipf and Stock, 1997.

Regnerus, Mark. Forbidden Fruit: Sex & Religion in the Lives of American Teenagers. Oxford University Press, 2007. 307 pp.

Robbins, Duffy & Len Kageler. This Way to Youth Ministry--Companion Guide: Readings, Case Studies, Resources to Begin the Journey. Zondervan, 2004. 176 pages.

Roxburgh, A. J. & Fred Romanuk. The Missional Leader: Equipping your Church to Reach a Changing World. Jossey-Bass, 2006.

Yaconelli, Mark. Growing Souls: Experiments in Contemplative Youth Ministry. Zondervan/Youth Specialties, 2007. 288 pp.