Youth ministry within the Western World has, for the most part, lost its prophetic edge. That is, many youth ministries have ceased to facilitate holistic growth of young people into radical disciples who live an alternative lifestyle to the lure of the hyper-real promises of Western Society. Young people are called to be a prophetic sign to their peers of what life could be.

Yet, more often than not, the life of the Christian teen, aside from what they do on a Sunday and Friday night, looks exactly the same as any other of their peers. This subject focuses on how youth ministries can create programs to bring about effective formation and discipleship of young people. A discipleship that will require, not only engagement with Spiritual growth of adolescence, but a holistic integration of the spiritual, social and self-development aspects of young people.

With a specific emphasis upon Praxis this subject is designed to help youth ministry practitioners bring theological reflection to bear upon the programs and ministries they are currently engaged in. Assessment is, therefore, based around the student’s ability to identify the holistic needs of groups/individuals; design and implement appropriate informal/formal programs to bring about formation; competently deliver and be engaged in this program and subsequently both evaluate and theologically reflect upon the engagement.

Topics include: The Praxis of Youth Ministry; The adolescent driving force of identity formation; Relationships and sexuality; Adolescence and Hyper-consumerism; Adolescent ministry and social engagement; Physical/emotional/cognitive development of adolescence; the Critical thinking desert of adolescent faith; creating a community of pacing and modelling; spiritual initiation and rites of passage, Shaping a Rhythm of life around THE Story, and much more.

When

Wednesday Nights (6:30-9:45pm) 16 Weeks: 5th August - 18th November (With a two week break on 21st September - 2nd October)

Applying

This subject can be studied at a CertIV/Diploma level

If you are already a Certificate or Diploma student at Tabor simply include this unit on your semester 2, 2009 enrolment form

Or it can also be studied as an auditing student

NOTE: This subject is for CertIV/Diploma students only. If you are a Bachelor student a similar subject that you can choose to do is ‘Youth and Spirituality’ which is offered as a Saturday Plus Intensive. See Tabor’s website.

Fees

Standard Tabor fees apply for this subject)

More Information

For more information contact Joel Mckerrow at joel@yearintheson.org or on 0413331673.

We look forward to having you study with us.