Winter 2009/Pasadena
YF503
Clark

YF503: YOUTH OUTREACH AND EVANGELISM. Chapman Clark.


DESCRIPTION: This course explores the biblical mandate to follow the call to "go to all nations," especially as it relates to adolescents. Students will learn how to articulate and pass on to others the biblical and theological view of evangelism and outreach. Through readings, lecture, projects, and discussion, students will learn how to design an incarnational as well as relational ministry program which takes seriously Christian care and evangelism with unbelieving students.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) understand how people respond to persuasion; (2) develop a theology of evangelism, specifically targeted at adolescents; (3) understand how to design and implement relational strategies and programs that enable contextually applied participation in God's kingdom purposes; and (4) train others in a practical theology of evangelism.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: In contemporary youth ministry evangelistic models abound, but are they truly effective, or even theologically advisable? This course will enable the student to develop a biblically sound as well as culturally relevant theology of youth outreach and evangelism. The student will develop an appreciation for the perspective of the secular person, thus fulfilling the call to "gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15), while engaging people with the gospel in word and deed.

COURSE FORMAT: Lectures, class discussion, and presentations by various guest experts will make up the class time. Each student will complete a final project. Class will meet for a three-hour session every Monday of the quarter, including week 11 (March 16), but not including the Martin Luther King holiday (January 19).

REQUIRED READING:

Guder, D., ed. Missional Church. Eerdmans, 1998.

Kallenberg, Brad J. Live to Tell: Evangelism for a Postmodern Age. Brazos Press, 2002.

Peace, Richard. Conversion in the New Testament. Eerdmans, 1999 (pp. 1-125, 285-346).

Van Gelder, Craig, ed. Confident Witness--Changing World: Rediscovering the Gospel in North America. Eerdmans, 1999.

Read an additional 500 pages from the recommended reading list (-5% if not submitted).

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

Dockery, D. S., ed. The Challenge of Postmodernism: An Evangelical Engagement. Baker, 1997.

Hauerwas, S. With the Grain of the Universe. Brazos Press, 2001.

McLaren, Brian. A Generous Orthodoxy. Zondervan, 2004.

Parker, Evelyn. Trouble Don't Last Always. Pilgrim Press, 2003.

Richardson, R. Evangelism Outside the Box. InterVarsity Press, 2000.

Wood, Christine. Character Witness. InterVarsity Press, 2002.

ASSIGNMENTS (learning objective[s] assessed by assignment):
  1. Submit for each required book a 2-page response and at least 2 pages of quotes (2, 3, 4) - 20% of grade.

  2. There is a content exam on the lectures and readings (1, 2, 3, 4) - 40% of grade.

  3. Complete a final project which reflects the course content (1, 2, 3, 4) - 40% of grade.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Evangelism (MIN 3) or General Ministry (MIN 1). Meets the MA and MACL Youth, Family, and Culture program requirement.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (10/08)