PM 360: Contemporary Issues in Youth Ministry

• 3.00 Credit Hours

• Online

Course Description The foundation of an effective youth ministry must be sound biblical and theological principles as well as research drawn from the social sciences and personal experience. This course will reflect the dynamic combination of theory and practice. Class activity will take note of the nature of adolescence spirituality, adolescent development, today's youth culture, models of youth ministry, and the general ministry of nurturing teenagers into maturing followers of Christ. (Three credit hours)Course Objectives. As a result of completing this course, the student will: 1. Reflect on one’s own potential calling to ministry with adolescents and/or young adults. 2. Identify the developmental theories that apply to adolescence (psychological, cognitive, faith), and be able to apply conclusions from these theories to adolescents in today’s world 3. Articulate and navigate the contours of adolescent spirituality (i.e. what does it mean to be a teenage/young adult disciple of Jesus Christ?) 4. Demonstrate basic skills for communicating biblical truth to teenagers 5. Evaluate the faith and human developmental characteristics and needs of the preteen and the adolescent. 6. Identify and discuss current issues and struggles faced by adolescents and craft biblically based, theologically sound and research informed responses.