Module Narrative

Module Title: Philosophy of Youth Ministry
Module Code: YOU500
Level: 5
Credit Points: 20 Credits
Compulsory or Optional: Optional (Youthwork Pathway)
Pre-requisites/co-requisites: YOU400
Excluded combinations or modules: Youthwork Pathway only
Mode of attendance: Mixed

Rationale:
The course aims to provide a Biblical, theological and social science foundation to support creative youth ministry in any context. It provides insightful discussions on adolescence, adolescent development and today’s youth culture. Its emphasis is on outreach; touching youth unrelated to churches and generally alienated from adults and youth programmes. Students will seek to understand contemporary adolescent issues and the essential ingredients needed to make an effective youth ministry. Students will develop strategies for integrating youth ministries into the local church.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge
On completion of this module, the successful student will be able to:

1. discuss the importance of youth ministry from the perspective of sociology, psychology and theology.
2. explain the underpinning philosophy behind youth work and apply this understanding to various stages of development in young people.
3. discuss how youth ministries may be developed and evaluate youth programmes.

Skills
This module will call for the successful student to demonstrate:

4. an ability to initiate and sustain contemporary youth ministry in a local church context.

Syllabus

This course provides insightful discussions of adolescence, adolescent development with the particular aim of understanding the philosophy of youth work. To understand young people, their culture and interests. Topics to be covered includes: general knowledge of adolescents; including growth and development, adolescents culture and crisis; stages in the developments of youth ministry, research and building a support base for youth ministry, counselling and referrals, scheduling retreats and evangelistic meetings, proclaiming the gospel and recruitment and training.

Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy

This course will be taught through the art of facilitation aimed at drawing out insights from students in response to stimulating readings, lectures and videos. It includes lectures, workshops, video clips, self guided field trips, discussions of qualitative research articles and practical exercises.. The course will be assessed based on Journaling, essay and a review of a named Christian website.

Independent study to supplement these activities is an essential element of the programme, including reading and producing the module assignments. In additional to attending classes, students should be prepared to spend about another six hours per week on activities related to this course. These activities include reading the required and recommended articles of relevance to this course and preparing for assignments and writing a journal.

Tutorial time enables Tutors to give formative feedback on draft essays, guidance to students on developing their presentations and constructive feedback on summative work.

Assessment Scheme

• Website Review (formative assessment)
• Essay plan (formative assessment)

• Essay 2000 words (summative assessment)
• Journal 1500 words (summative assessment)

Assessment Weighting
Essay 50%
Journal 50%

Core Text
Seal, M. and Frost, S. (2014) Philosophy in Youth and Community Work
Dorset, England: Russel House Publishing

Essential
Bake, T. (2009) The Youth Worker Book of Hope: True Stories of Brokenness and Healing Grand Rapids, MI.: Zondervan

Clark, C. et al (2015) Youth Ministry in the 21st Century: Five Views (Youth, Family, and Culture) Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academics
Sercombe, H. (2010) Youth Work Ethics London: Sage Publications

Recommended

Black, W. and Clark, C. (2001) Four Views of Youth Ministry and the Church: Inclusive Congregational, Preparatory, Missional, Strategic Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan

Rubbins, D. (2009) This Way to Youth Ministry: An Introduction to the Adventure, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan
Robbin, D. (2010) Youth Ministry Nuts and Bolts, Revised and Updated: Organizing, Leading, and Managing Your Youth Ministry Grand Rapids MI: Zondervan

Taylor, A. (2015) Reaching Young People New ideas for your youth ministry
Oxford: The Bible Reading Fellowship

Verschelden, G. et al Editors (2012) The History of Youth Work in Europe: Relevance for Youth Policy Today, Volume 3, Strasbourg: Council of Europe Publishing

Online Application
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