DE037-512 - Children's and Youth Ministry

  • 2,784 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 5
    AQF level
  • Category developing unit
    B
  • develop ministeriesUnit Discipline

Exclusions

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code DM506. Unit exclusions: DE010; DE020

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Foundational knowledge and understanding of children’s and youth ministry, including the methods and standards of professional, safe and ethical practice

B. Be able to

  1. Identify the biblical, theological, historical and strategic foundations of children’s and youth ministry
  2. Outline the essential aspects of child and adolescent development in relation to contemporary culture
  3. Describe the nature, shape and forms of children’s and youth ministry
  4. Present Organised evidence-based perspectives on children’s and youth ministry

C. Be in a position to

1. Relating perspectives and skills from ‘Children’s and Youth Ministry’ to contemporary Christian living and children’s and youth ministry contexts

Content

Section A: Biblical, Theological, Developmental, Cultural, and Historical Foundations for Children’s and Youth Ministry

  1. The Bible’s teaching on children and youth
  2. Introduction to a theology of childhood and youth; developing a theology of children’s and youth ministry.
  3. A survey of the place and understanding of children and young people in western society: historical perspectives on children and young people; generational theory; major aspects of children’s and youth culture and sub-cultures in Australia today
  4. Child and adolescent development: theological engagement with processes and theories of physical, cognitive, moral and faith development
  5. Historical overview of children and young people and the church: catechism, Sunday School movement, age-segregated ministries, inter-generational ministry

Section B: Strategic approaches to children’s and youth ministry

  1. Evangelism and outreach in children’s and youth ministry
  2. Nurturing faith and discipleship in children’s and youth ministry
  3. Structures for Church-based children’s and youth ministry: Age-segregated ministries; Family ministry; Intergenerational ministry

Set Readings

This unit's indicative bibliography is currently being revised. Students should contact their home college for further details at the time of taking this unit.

 

Prescribed:

Allen, Holly Catteron, ed. InterGenerate: Transforming churches through intergenerational ministry (Abilene, TX: Abilene University Press, 2018).

Beckwith, Ivy, Postmodern children's ministry: Ministry to children in the 21st century (El Cajon, CA: Youth Specialties, 2004).

Berryman, Jerome W., Children and the theologians: clearing the way for grace (New York, NY: Morehouse, 2009).

Bunge, Marcia J., Terence E. Fretheim, and Beverly Roberts Gaventa eds. The child in the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2008).

Clark, Chap, ed. Adoptive Youth Ministry: Integrating Emerging Generations into the Family of Faith (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2016).

Erwin, Pamela. A Critical Approach to Youth Culture: It’s influence and implications for ministry (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010).

Estep, James Riley and Jonathan H. Kim, Christian formation: Integrating theology & human development (Nashville, TN: B & H Academic, 2010).

Joiner, Reggie and Kristen Ivy, It’s just a phase so don’t miss it: Why every life stage of a kid matters and at least 13 things your church should do about it (Cumming, GA: Orange, 2015).

Jones, Timothy Paul ed. Perspectives on Family Ministry: Three Views (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing, 2009).

Stinson, Randy and Timothy Paul Jones, Trained in the fear of God: family ministry in theological, historical, and practical perspective (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2011).

Vanhoozer, K. J., Anderson, C. A., & Sleasman, M. J. Everyday Theology: How to read cultural texts and interpret trends (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2007).

Ward, Pete, Introducing practical theology: Mission, ministry and the life of the church (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2017).

Recommended:

Anthony, Michael ed. Perspectives on children’s spiritual formation: 4 views (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 2007).

Borgman, Dean. Foundations for Youth Ministry: Theological engagement with teen life and culture (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013).

Bunge, Marcia J., ed. The Child in Christian Thought (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2001).

Clark, Chap. Hurt 2.0: Inside the World of Today's Teenagers (Grand Rapids, MI.: Baker Academic, 2011).

Dean, Kenda Creasy and Andrew Root, The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2011.

McKoy, Brandon K., Youth ministry from the outside in: How relationships and stories shape identity (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2013).

May, Scottie, Children matter: celebrating their place in the church, family, and community (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2005).

Nash, Sally, and Jo Whithead, eds. Christian Youth Work in Theory and Practice: A handbook (London: SCM, 2014).

Santrock, John W., Life-span development. 15th ed (New York, NY: McGraw Hill, 2015).

Senter, Mark. Four Views of Youth Ministry and the Church (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2001).

Stonehouse, Catherine and Scottie May, Listening to children on the spiritual Journey: Guidance for those who teach and nurture (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2010).

Willmer, Haddon and Keith J. White, Entry point: Towards child theology with Matthew 18 (London, UK: WTL, 2013).

Journals:

Journal of Youth and Theology

Journal of Youth Ministry

Journal of Christian Education

Journal of Discipleship and Family Ministry

Classics:

Garland, Diana R., Family Ministry: A Comprehensive Guide (Leicester, UK: InterVarsity Press, 1999).

Fowler, James W., Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development and the Quest for Meaning (Blackburn, VIC: Dove Communications, 1981).

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