Youth and Family Ministry
- Course Descriptions
REL 100 or 300 is a prerequisite for all religion and youth and family ministry courses.YFM 205 Topics in Youth and Family Ministry
Topics in Youth and Family Ministry feature a selection of half-credit courses focused in areas of special ministry interest, such as Outdoor Ministry, Service Learning, Program Planning, Youth Culture & Religion, Communications, Media, Music and Ministry, Ministry with Youth on the Margins, and similar offerings.
YFM 208 and 209 Vocational Formation
This course will offer a time for focused attention in a variety of areas, including career planning, vocational discernment, spiritual formation, administrative skills, and so on, as well as a time to feature guest speakers and workshop leaders. Vocational Formation meets at regularly scheduled intervals throughout the term.
YFM 235 Foundations for Ministry with Youth and Families
This course represents an introductory level study in which the biblical, theological, and historical foundations of ministry with youth and families are explored. Students will also be introduced to the principals of practical theology and learn the skills and sensibilities necessary for discerning what faithful ministry might look like in a specific location.
YFM 302 Ministry Practices
This course emphasizes the day-to-day sensibilities, skills, and practices needed for the grounding and guiding of ministry professionals. An exploration of the history and development of the spiritual practices of the Christian tradition, combined with modern practices used for effective ministry, make up the major themes of this course.
YFM 358 Life and Work of the Church
This course features an overview of the manner in which Christianity has carried out its mission throughout the centuries, as well as an exploration of the issues and challenges facing modern and “post-modern” churches. A central element of this course will be a research project that studies the methods and strategies of congregations and other ministry organizations in their efforts to introduce, nurture, and shape the Christian faith.
YFM 399 Internship
The internship centers around 150 hours of supervised leadership practice focused on youth and families, fulfilled in partnership with a congregation or other approved ministry setting. A formal learning agreement as well as the development of a professional portfolio round out the internship experience.