Course Descriptions
Youth Ministry 2915-Q: Loitering with a Purpose: Building Community in Youth Ministry
This course is designed to give an introduction to the philosophy, theology, and practice of youth ministry with a special emphasis on building community and developing student leaders. Due to the individualism of western society community is an often overlooked aspect of life in the church. Students will learn that building community has to be intentional and foundational in all that is done in youth ministry. This includes creating and maintaining a safe and caring Christian community not only in the youth ministry context but in the whole life of the church.
Youth Ministry 2945-Q: Not Your Grand-Mother’s Sunday School: Youth & Christian Education
As you can tell by the title this course acknowledges the changing landscape of education in the church. Old models may not meet the needs of today’s youth who are children of the technology and information era. The challenge to help youth grow in faith can be intimidating, but knowing how youth develop psychologically, emotionally, morally, and spiritually can help youth leaders develop effective and meaningful educational experiences. This course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of Christian education in the context of youth ministry. Topics to be discussed include programs, developmental psychology, faith development, catechesis, and Bible teaching.
Youth Ministry 2925-Q: Beyond Kumbaya: Youth, Worship, and the Church
The goal of this course is to develop a realistic, holistic, and practical approach to worship as an integral part of a healthy Christian community. In reality it is becoming increasingly difficult for youth to identify with the worship life of the church. Youth are inundated with visual stimulation from film, television, video games, and print media. To ask them to sit through worship that is often from another time and culture is problematic. The challenge of contemporary youth ministry is to be faithful to the rich worship traditions of the church, while meeting the spiritual needs of today’s youth. Youth need to be involved in the liturgical life of the church; the church needs youth to be involved in its liturgy. This course will focus on developing theoretical and practical ministry skills in areas such as spiritual disciplines, sacraments, music, and retreats.
Youth Ministry 2955-Q: Re-Telling the Old, Old Story: Evangelism, Discipleship, and Popular Culture
This course will explore evangelism and discipleship within youth ministry while seeking to cast a contemporary vision for both evangelism and discipleship within the larger Christian community. Students will examine theoretical and practical aspects of both. This course takes seriously the role of popular culture in the lives of today’s youth and attempts to dialogue with it rather than condemn or glorify it. In order to proclaim the gospel in any culture one must first know and understand the culture, the same is true of ministry to youth. Topics to be discussed include student mentorship, small group ministry, youth retreats, homiletics/preaching, creative evangelism.
Youth Ministry 2935-Q: Children of the Revolution: Youth, Service, and Social Justice
It is becoming increasingly “cool” within pop culture to be socially and politically active. Countless stars become the face and voice of HIV, world hunger, animal rights, and political reform. More and more youth are getting involved in social justice issues. What is the church’s role to be in such issues? What does the Christian perspective have to offer? The example of Jesus’ life and death point to self-giving has the root of personal and social change. The church has traditionally taught that service to others grows out of a profound encounter with grace and love. The revolution of Christ is one of selflessness over selfishness. This course will examine the theology of service and social justice and provide practical approaches, strategies, and skills for getting youth involved as part of a Christian community.
