DESCRIPTION: This course gives an overview of contemporary culture, especially
as it affects youth ministry, and 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.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/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.
RELEVANCE FOR 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.
COURSE FORMAT: 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 for ten three-hour sessions; please see the web
schedule for dates.
REQUIRED READING: