Content

This unit provides students with an understanding of children’s, youth and family ministry within Anglican and broader ecclesial contexts. The unit is suitable for those already involved with children and young adults in a parish or community setting, although it is designed to address principally the formation and engagement of young people in the Christian faith aged from 12-25 years. The unit explores the theology of youth ministry and models of youth ministry that are drawn from this theology. The unit investigates the developmental needs of children and young people from an early age including the stages of faith formation. It examines the social and cultural context of young people, children and families, and the barriers and reasons why children and young people might be absent from faith communities. Further, the unit will explore the meaning of Christian community in today’s contexts with specific attention to the place and experience of children and young people within society, families, and the church’s ministry.

Unit code: DP1509T

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 1

Unit discipline: Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies

Delivery Mode: Online

Proposing College: Trinity College Theological School

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Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate an understanding of the theology of ministry with specific attention to children, young people and families.

2.

Demonstrate an understanding of the social and cultural contexts of children, young people and families

3.

Critically engage with various models of ministry with children, young people and Families, and articulate the theology that these models espouse.

Pedagogy

Forum activities and discussions

Indicative Bibliography

  • O.M. Bakke, When children became people: the birth of childhood in early Christianity. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2005.
  • I. Beckwith, Postmodern children’s ministry: ministry to children in the 21st century church. Zondervan/Youth Specialties, 2004.
  • J. Berryman, The complete guide to Godly Play. Colorado: Moorehouse, 2002.
  • J. Bessant, J.R. Watts & H. Sercomb, Youth studies: an Australian perspective. South Melbourne: Longman, 1998.
  • M.J. Bunge, The child in Christian thought. Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, 2001.
  • S.Burns, *Worship in Context: Liturgical Theology, Children and the City. Peterborough: Epworth, 2006
  • K. Creasy Dean, OMG: A Youth Ministry Handbook*. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2010.
  • K. Creasy Dean and R. Foster, The Godbearing Life: The Art of Soul Tending for Youth Ministry. Nashville: Upper Room Books, 1998.
  • P.J. Hughes, Putting life together: findings from Australian youth spirituality research. Fairfield: Fairfield Press, 2007.
  • M. Mason, The spirit of generation Y: young people’s spirituality in a changing Australia. John Garrett Publishing, 2007.
  • A. Root, Revisiting relational youth ministry: from a strategy of influence to a theology of incarnation. Downers Grove: IVP, 2007.
  • A. Root, Taking Theology to Youth Ministry. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
  • M. Yaconelli, Growing Souls: Experiments in Contemplative Youth Ministry. London: SPCK, 2007.
  • M. Senter (ed.), Four views of youth ministry: inclusive congregational, preparatory, missional, strategic. Grand Rapids: Youth Specialties, 2001.
  • D. Tacey, The Spirituality Revolution: The Emergence of Contemporary Spirituality. Sydney: Harper Collins Publishers, 2003.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

Written Presentation (1500 words)

1500 40.0
Essay

Essay (1500 words)

1500 40.0
Forum

Fortnightly forum activities (Equivalent: 1000 words)

1000 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 31 Dec, 2016

Unit record last updated: 2021-09-28 15:58:04 +1000