DESCRIPTION:

This course gives an overview of contemporary culture, especially as it affects youth ministry; 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.

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.

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 weekly for three-hour sessions.

Dean, Kendra Creasy, Chapman Clark, and Dave Rahn, eds. Starting Right: Thinking Theologically about Youth Ministry. Youth Specialties Academic, 2001.

Fields, D. Purpose Driven Youth Ministry. Zondervan/Youth Specialties, 1998.

Mueller, W. Understanding Today's Youth Culture. Rev. ed. Tyndale, 1998.

Stevenson, D. and Barbara L. Schneider. The Ambitious Generation: America's Teenagers, Motivated but Directionless. Yale University Press, 1999.

Barna, G. Generation Next. Regal, 1995.

DeVries, Mark. Family-Based Youth Ministry. InterVarsity, 1994.

Neff, Miriam. Helping Teens in Crisis. Tyndale, 1993.

Rice, W. Junior High Ministry. Zondervan, 1987.

Strommen, Merton P., Karen E. Jones, and Dave Rahn. Youth Ministry that Transforms: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Hopes, Frustrations, and Effectiveness of Today's Youth Workers. Youth Specialties Academic, 2001.

Five two-page reflections on the readings.

A midterm on the lectures.

A final project which reflects a programmatic interpretation of the course content.

None.

Meets M.Div. core requirement in Christian Formation and Discipleship (MIN 4); a required course for M.Div. concentration in Youth, Family and Culture; and for M.A. in Youth, Family and Culture.

None.