Youth Ministry and Christian Education

An investigation and formulation of a philosophy of ministry to and with adolescents. Various theoretical issues will be examined which will inform and assist students in the development of a philosophy which is biblically grounded, developmentally sensitive, culturally relevant, and theologically contextualized to the world of contemporary adolescence. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department) Prerequisite: Junior or senior class standing.

This course provides an opportunity to focus on different topics in a more specific and in-depth way. The topics will relate to contemporary issues in either Christian education or youth ministry and adolescent studies. (2 or 4 credits; non-yearly, consult department)

In this course students will explore the identity of the church by engaging biblical, historical, cultural, and missional perspectives, grounding the life and ministry of the church in God?s ministry to the world in Jesus Christ. More specifically, this course will focus on the nature and role of youth ministry as an expression of this ministry as students are called to enter into the experiences of young people within contemporary Western culture. Prerequisite: REL 250. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)

The focus of CEY401 and CEY402 is intentional exposure to various aspects of practical ministry in either Christian education or youth ministry in a local church or para-church organization, for two consecutive semesters. The practical experience must be under supervision of an on-site supervisor and the professor of Christian Education. Weekly seminars for discussion and reflection on ministry and preparation for the writing of a major paper on the philosophy of ministry are conducted on campus. (2 credits) Prerequisites: Senior class standing and permission of instructor.

The focus of CEY401 and CEY402 is intentional exposure to various aspects of practical ministry in either Christian education or youth ministry in a local church or para-church organization, for two consecutive semesters. The practical experience must be under supervision of an on-site supervisor and the professor of Christian Education. Weekly seminars for discussion and reflection on ministry and preparation for the writing of a major paper on the philosophy of ministry are conducted on campus. (2 credits) Prerequisites: senior class standing and permission of instructor.

A study of the meaning, purpose and practices of Christian spirituality as this has been understood in the Christian tradition. The course emphasizes the practice of spiritual disciplines and the relevance of spirituality in our contemporary world. Prerequisite: BTS250. (2 credits)

This course explores the relationship between Christian faith and culture. It will begin by establishing a biblical and theological approach to cultural engagement, as well as a brief historical survey of how the Christian community has engaged issue of faith and culture in different historical and cultural moments. An important part of this course will be interdisciplinary exploration of the fields of "cultural theory" and "popular culture", specifically focusing upon what they have to contribute to different forms of Christian ministry. Finally, this course will prove the opportunity for students to begin to articulate what it means to live faithfully with a diversity of cultural contexts. Prerequisite: BTS250. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)