UMS : Unit: DP3100Z

Content

This unit examines the theological, developmental and methodological resources for children and families ministries in varied contexts and across the spectrum of Australian church based, community based and para-church expressions, including age-sensitive and intergenerational settings. Addressing the theology, spirituality and sociology of the child in relation to family, church, faith, culture, technology, history and philosophical discourse, the unit develops critical skills for evaluating and designing robust, contextual processes for discipleship, pastoral care, safe practice, mission and leadership with children and their families.

Unit code: DP3100Z

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies

Proposing College: Stirling College and Pilgrim Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.	Explain the fields of child theology, theologies of child, child spirituality and theology for children in key faith formation contexts, such as Faith community, education, family, mission and welfare.
2.	Examine the interaction between child development, theological architecture, biblical texts, social discourse and faith formation praxes, interpreting these strands in their own context.
3.	Evaluate the place, agency and needs of the child within ecclesiological, missional, faith formation and discipleship structures.
4.	Identify and interpret risk factors and best practice procedures regarding protective behaviours to safeguard the welfare of children, practitioners and communities and use this knowledge in analysing case studies.
5.	Critique different methodologies and theologies in ministry with children and their families.

Unit sequence

Prerequisite of 18 points in DP

Pedagogy

Lectures, facilitated workshops, immersive classroom, reflective journaling, case studies.

Indicative Bibliography

Allen, Holly C., and Christine Lawton Ross. Intergenerational Christian Formation : Bringing the Whole Church Together in Ministry, Community and Worship. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2012.
Buckland, Ron. Perspectives on Children and the Gospel: Excellence in Ministry with Children and their Families. West Gosford, NSW: Scripture Union, 2001.
Bunge, Marcia J. The Child in Christian Thought. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2001.
Csinos, David. A Gospel for All Ages: Teaching and Preaching with the Whole Church. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2022.
Espinoza, Benjamin D., James R. Estep, Jr., and Shirley Morgenthaler. Story, Formation, and Culture : From Theory to Practice in Ministry with Children. La Vergne: Pickwick Publications, 2018.
Jensen, David. Graced Vulnerability. Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 2005.
Kociumbas, Jan. Australian Childhood; A History. St Leonards, N.S.W : Allen & Unwin, 1997.
Lings, George, ed. Messy Church Theology: Exploring the Significance of Messy Church for the Wider Church. Abingdon: BRF, 2013.
Seibel, Cory. Engage All Generations: A Strategic Toolkit for Creating Intergenerational Faith Communities. Abilene, TX: Abilene Christian University Press, 2021.

Assessment

Type	Description	Word count	Weight (%)
Case Study	Small group investigation of a Duty of Care case study with class presentation	900	10.0
Book Review	Book review on a text relating to theology of the child	1100	25.0
Journal	Two 550-word journal reflections on the 'World of the Child'	1100	25.0
Essay	Essay on core issues	1900	40.0

Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 9 Sep, 2022

Unit record last updated: 2022-09-09 12:45:27 +1000