DESCRIPTION:

This course seeks to provide a biblical, theological, sociological, psychological and historical understanding of the family. Through lecture, discussion, reading, personal reflection and research each student is encouraged to see how their own understanding and experience of family and other related systems affect who they are and how they operate. This process, in turn, will equip the student to be more effective in serving people in the name of Christ in a variety of ministry settings.

Contemporary models of church and parachurch ministry often deny the nature of family systems. In addition, most of the programmatic models in operation today were designed for a familial culture that no longer exists. Every church and parachurch leader must be aware of the history and theology of the family, and also how family life has changed over the past fifty years. This course will enable Christian leaders to connect with people where they are, instead of where they were.

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

Balswick, Jack O. and Judith K. Balswick. The Family. Baker, 1989.

Barna, G. The Future of the American Family. Moody, 1993.

Clapp, Rodney. Families at the Crossroads: Beyond Traditional and Modern Options. InterVarsity, 1994.

Elkind, David. Ties That Stress: The New Family Imbalance. Harvard, 1994.

Airhart, P.D. and Bendroth, M., eds. Faith Traditions and the Family. WestminsterJohn Knox, 1996.

Crabb, L. Silence of Adam. Zondervan, 1995.

Demos, J. Past, Present, and Personal: The Family and the Life Course in America. Oxford, 1986.

Osherson, S. Finding Our Fathers: The Unfinished Business of Manhood. Free Press, 1986.

Pipher, M. The Shelter of Each Other: Rebuilding America's Families. G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1996.

Nock, Steven M. Sociology of the Family. Prentice-Hall, 1987.

1. Take three quizzes (on readings only).

2. Complete a midterm on the lectures.

3. Submit a theological and experiential paper (from an integrated perspective) of what has been your experience of the family system.

4. Submit a final research paper on either a given relationship within the family system or connect family systems issues to a ministry interest.

None.

Required course for M.Div./M.A. Youth Ministries concentration.

None.