Spring 2014/Fuller Live!

Pasadena and Seattle

YF504

Clark

YF504: INTRODUCTION TO FAMILY MINISTRY (4 Units). Chapman Clark.

DESCRIPTION: This course presents an analysis of the current understanding and “modes” of “family ministry” over against a theological, sociological, and developmental understanding of contemporary culture. Various models of family ministry will be examined, and through the use of case studies, lectures, and research, students will learn how to create a family ministry that best suits the needs and vision of a given church or ministry organization.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will be able to (1) grasp a comprehensive theological understanding of the nuclear family and the church as a “family” (cognitive); (2) recognize and appreciate the unique challenges families face in any social context (affective); and (3) create relational programs and parish strategies that enable both the strengthening of marriages, families, and the church as a multi-generational missional community (skills).

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:.

Elkind, David. Ties That Stress: The New Family Imbalance. Harvard University Press, 1994. ISBN: 978-0674891494, Pub. Price $18.95 [272 pp.].

Garland, Diana. Family Ministry: A Comprehensive Guide. 2nd ed. InterVarsity Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-0830839711, Pub. Price $50.00 [656 pp.].

Hellerman, Joesph. When the Church was Family. B & H Academic, 2009. ISBN: 978-0805447798, Pub. Price $19.99 [240 pp.].

Patrick Lencioni. Silos, Politics and Turf Wars: A Leadership Fable about Destroying the Silos that Turn Colleagues/Competitors. Jossey-Bass, 2006. ISBN: 978-0787976385, Pub. Price $24.95 [224 pp. assigned].

Zimbardo, Phil and Nikita Duncan, The Demise of Guys: Why Boys Are Struggling and What We Can Do About It is part of the TED Books series, which is available for the Kindle and Nook as well as on Apple’s iBookstore for $2.99 (http://tinyurl.com/7noz76y).

RECOMMENDED READING:

Balswick, J., J. Balswick, B. Piper, and D. Piper. Relationship-Empowerment Parenting. Baker, 2003. ISBN: 978-0801064029, Pub. Price not available. ***OUT OF PRINT.

Clapp, Rodney. Families at the Crossroads: Beyond Traditional and Modern Options. InterVarsity Press, 1993. ISBN: 978-0830816552, Pub. Price $21.00.

Marquardt, E. Between Two Worlds: The Inner Lives of Children of Divorce. Three Rivers Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0307237101, Pub. Price $15.00.

McKenna, Theresa. The Hidden Mission Field: Caring for Single Parent Families in the 21st Century. WinePress Publishing, 1999. ISBN: 978-1579211714, Pub. Price $12.95.

Perkins, James C. Building Up Zion’s Walls: Ministry for Empowering the African American Family. Judson Press, 1999. ISBN: 978-0817013370, Pub. Price $16.00.

Ramsay, Nancy. Pastoral Care and Counseling: Redefining the Paradigms. Abingdon, 2005. ISBN: 978-0687022243, Pub. Price $26.50.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Reflection papers (2-3 pp.) on Ties That Stress, Silos, and Families at the Crossroads (30%).

2. Midterm exam on lectures and Family Ministry (25%).

3. Write a three- to four-page practical theology of “family ministry in the local church” (10%).

4. Design a family ministry program, including but not limited to every issue covered by the lectures and the majority of those covered by the texts (35%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the MDiv core requirement in General Ministry & Spirituality (MIN 1) and MDiv Core requirementin Christian Formation and Discipleship (MIN 4); fulfills requirement for the Family course for MDiv, Youth, Family and Culture concentration; MA in Youth, Family and Culture; and MACL–YM.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.