Youth Ministry, Vocational Track (YTHVO.BA)

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Christian Ministries

Youth Ministry prepares students to work with adolescents in local church and para-church ministries. The program blends the discipleship and pastoral ministry programs, also incorporating courses tailored to youth ministry. This track allows students to pursue minors in other disciplines.

Degree Checklist

For a check list of all the courses required for this degree program and a suggested four-year sequence of study, please click on the link below.

General Educational Requirements - Total Hours: 56

Click here for the General Education Core requirements

SPECIALTY AREA REQUIREMENTS

CHMN 150 - Mission of the Church Credit Hours: 3

This course will focus on the biblical, holistic and contextual mission of the church: worship, evangelism, discipleship, benevolence, social justice and stewardship. It is designed as the gateway course to the majors in the Department of Christian Ministries.

CHMN 210 - Personal Evangelism Credit Hours: 3

This introductory course is designed to equip students to think strategically and act compassionately in the process of effectively communicating the gospel message in a variety of ministry settings. Special attention will be given to spiritual character, one's faith story, contemporary culture, and effective evangelism one's faith strategies.

CHMN 220 - Biblical Interpretation for Ministry Credit Hours: 3

This course intends to prepare students for quality Bible study which supports the work of evangelical, Pentecostal ministry. The pragmatic nature of this course emphasizes the inductive method of Bible study, fostering direct engagement with biblical texts and demonstration of sound hermeneutical skills. Sensitivity to a text's literary features will be a primary focus of the course.

Prerequisites

BIBL-101 and 102, ENGL-110, and CHMN-150.

CHMN 230 - Introduction to Preaching and Teaching Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed to introduce students to the theology, basic construction and delivery of biblical messages through preaching and teaching within diverse ministry settings.

Prerequisites

CHMN-150 and CHMN-220.

CHMN 310 - Spiritual Formation and Discipleship Credit Hours: 3

This course will introduce the student to the nature of Christian spiritual formation. Key biblical, theological and historical persons and events will be examined. Socio-psychological issues will be reviewed as they specifically pertain to the process of Christian spirituality. Attention will be given to the development of the individual student's spiritual life as well as to how ministry personnel can cultivate spiritual growth in other people.

Prerequisites

CHMN-150 (or MUSW-112 for Music & Worship majors).

CHMN 320 - Introduction to Multicultural Ministry Credit Hours: 3

This course is premised upon the understanding that multicultural ministry is normative for the mission of the Church. Consequently, the course provides students with an appreciation for ministry from culturally diverse perspectives. Students are apprised of the basic tools required for integrating pastoral and theological skills in multicultural contexts.

Prerequisites

CHMN-150.

CHMN 330 - Ministry of Worship Credit Hours: 3

This course intends to foster student knowledge in a biblical, historical, philosophical and contextual approach to Christian worship. Particular focus is on analysis of evangelical-Pentecostal traditions. Practical skills of leading worship events are developed and critiqued.

Prerequisites

CHMN-150.

CHMN 340 - Christian Leadership Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed to introduce the student to significant concepts and theories that shape the contemporary study of Christian leadership. An emphasis will be placed on the biblical concept of servant leadership.

Prerequisites

CHMN-150.

YTHM 245 - Introduction to Adolescent Ministry Credit Hours: 3

This course will survey various elements of the youth culture and the adolescent experience while considering ways that these elements of culture and experience are addressed by the gospel of Christ.

Prerequisites

This course is a prerequisite to all other YTHM courses.

YTHM 331 - Models of Youth Ministry Credit Hours: 3

An examination of contemporary models of youth ministry, considering their theological bases and ministry implications. The objectives, leadership styles, decision-making processes, programming approaches and relevant resources of various models will be considered. These aspects of youth ministry practice will be the object of theological reflection and practical experimentation. This course is intended to assist students in adopting or developing a personal model of youth ministry.

Prerequisites

YTHM-245

YTHM 332 - Strategies for Youth Ministry Credit Hours: 3

A study of the organization and administration of principles, methods and materials for effective ministry in the local church and Christian youth organizations.

Prerequisites

YTHM-245

YTHM 433 - Contemporary Issues in Youth Ministry Credit Hours: 3

A study which focuses on helping teens and families of teens who are in problem situations.

Prerequisites

YTHM-245

COLLATERAL REQUIREMENTS

YTHM 390 - Internship Credit Hours: 3

This internship will provide the student with extensive supervised experience in youth ministry. A minimum of one hundred and fifty (150) hours of work in an approved youth ministry context is required.

Prerequisites

Major in Youth Ministry, and completion of CHMN-150, CHMN-210, CHMN-220, CHMN-230, YTHM-245 and one of the following: YTHM-331, YTHM-332, or YTHM-433.

YTHM 450 - Senior Seminar in Ministry Credit Hours: 3

This course is a senior capstone course for Children, Discipleship and Youth ministry majors. The seminar class will engage students about issues of their vocational area of ministry. Issues such as calling, training, church expectations and cultural awareness will be discussed, particularly in relation to the student's impending employment in church related fields. 

Prerequisites

YTHM-390

Bible/Theology Elective (3 hours)

Choose one of the following:

THEO 334 - Doctrine of Christ Credit Hours: 3

A historical and systematic study of the doctrine of the person and work of Jesus Christ. This course surveys the primitive Christologies of the New Testament and the Christological controversies of the early church and continues by examining the various reconstructions of Christologies in the modern era. The centrality of Christ for other doctrines and for Christian proclamation will also be stressed.

Prerequisites

THEO-230 or THEO-250

THEO 335 - Doctrine of the Holy Spirit Credit Hours: 3

A study of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit with emphasis upon the Spirit's relationship to Christ. The work of the Holy Spirit in relation to other fundamental doctrines will also be considered (e.g. creation, salvation, ecclesiology, eschatology, etc.). Special attention will be focused on the distinct work of the Holy Spirit within the economy of salvation, specifically dealing with things such as regeneration, sanctification, and mission.  Some attention will be given to the meaning of "living in the Spirit" and spiritual gifts.

Prerequisites

THEO-230 or THEO-250Additional DAL prerequisites: BIBL-101, BIBL-102 and THEO-231.

THEO 336 - Doctrine of the Church Credit Hours: 3

This course will examine the various models of the Church proposed by the New Testament and later throughout the history of Christianity. Special attention will be given to these areas of ecclesiology: governmental structures and leadership; the nature and mission of the church; sacraments; and the church empowered by the Spirit. Relating these studies to the contemporary Body of Christ will always be a central goal.

Prerequisites

THEO-230 or THEO-250.