Winter 2015/Houston
YF504
Alston
YF504: INTRODUCTION TO FAMILY MINISTRY (4 Units: 160 hours). Christopher Alston.
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: Upon successful completion of this course, students will have demonstrated (1) theological understanding of the nuclear family and the church as a "family" (cognitive); (2) recognition and appreciation of the unique challenges families face in any social context (affective); and (3) the ability to 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: This class meets once per week for three-hour sessions of lectures and discussion for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction, plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours.
REQUIRED READING:
Clapp, Rodney. Families at the Crossroads: Beyond Traditional and Modern Options. InterVarsity Press, 1993. ISBN: 978-0830816552, Pub. Price $17.00. [200 pp assigned].
Fitzpatrick, Elyse M. Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus. Crossway, 2011. ISBN: 978-1433520099, Pub. Price $14.99. [216 pp assigned].
Garland, Diana. Family Ministry: A Comprehensive Guide. InterVarsity Press, 1999. ISBN: 978-0830815852, Pub. Price $50.00. [600 pp assigned].
Lencioni, Patrick. 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].
RECOMMENDED READING:
Balswick, J., J. Balswick, B. Piper, and D. Piper. Relationship-Empowerment Parenting. Baker, 2003. ISBN: 978-0801064029, Pub. Price $24.26.
Elkind, David. Ties That Stress: The New Family Imbalance. Harvard University Press, 1994. ISBN: 978-0674891494, Pub. Price $20.00. [270 pp assigned].
Marquardt, E. Between Two Worlds: The Inner Lives of Children of Divorce. Crown Publishers, 2005. ISBN: 978-0307237101, Pub. Price $13.95.
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.
Verrier, Nancy Newton. The Primal Wound: Understanding the Adopted Child. Gateway, 1993. ISBN: 978-0963648006, Pub. Price $15.00.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
1,304 pages of required reading. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-3] [72 hours].
Small group discussions on select reading assignments (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-2 and assignment 3]. [10 hours Directed Learning Activities].
Reflection papers (2-3 pp. each) on Ties That Stress, Silos, and Families at the Crossroad (10% each). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-2]. [15 hours].
Midterm exam on lectures and Family Ministry (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-2]. [10 hours].
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. Additional instructions in the syllabus (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3] [23 hours].
PREREQUISITES: None
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Church History "c" (CHC); meets NT Seminary Core Requirement (SCR) for MATM, MAICS, MAFS, MACL (effective Winter 2010).
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.