Youth, Children, and Family Ministry

This course introduces interdisciplinary material in Youth, Children and Family Ministry of particular relevance to the core curriculum. Topics may vary. May be repeated for a different topic.

This course focuses on developing one's personal vision and practice of youth, children and family ministry and gives attention to the foundational and diverse elements of this ministry. It will explore the biblical and theological foundations of ministry with young people and families. Special attention will be given to those in early to late adolescence (11-29 years of age). Attention will be given to the church's responsibility to young people in and beyond congregations. This course emphasizes incarnational and missional approaches to the gospel, as well as young people's own agency as participants in the total mission of the church.

This course covers recent literature written about both secular and ecclesiastic leadership. Students will be shepherded through a process of honing their own philosophy of leadership in the Church. Attention will be given to case studies and the formation of a practical theology of leadership.

Study of an assigned topic or guided research as directed by a graduate faculty member. Approval of department director required.

This course will survey the key developmental periods of a young person's life. Attention will be given to puberty (transition from childhood) and how adolescents grow into adults, stages of family life, and family systems theory.