DE011-512 - Youth in the Churches

  • 2,784 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 5
    AQF level
  • Category developing unit
    B
  • deUnit Discipline

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Foundational knowledge and understanding of youth in the churches, including the methods and standards of professional, safe and ethical practice.

B. Be able to

1. Outline a theology of young people and the church

2. Describe the dimensions of ministry among young people

3. Present Organised evidence-based perspectives on youth in the churches

C. Be in a position to

1. Relating perspectives and skills from ‘Youth in the Churches’ to ministry contexts

Content

Section A: Theoretical Study (70%)

  1. Young people, their place and role in the life of the churches, their rituals and liturgy, including nurture/conversion tensions, baptism/confirmation, worship participation, music, witness and pastoral care.
  2. Christian education for the adolescent in various contexts:  Sunday school, home groups, catechesis, church youth groups, secondary school religious education and voluntary groups, Christian camps; methods and models of Christian discipleship in youth ministry.
  3. Youth leadership; biblical imperatives for nurture and discipleship; tasks and roles; the youth pastor; youth leaders; team building and dynamics; organisational structures; relationships with other church ministries; burnout.
  4. The content and planning of a balanced youth program: strategies, aims and objectives; methods and evaluation of appropriate social, educational, liturgical, counselling and empowerment strategies, syllabi, themes, literature, resources.
  5. The evaluation of an existing substantial youth program in a Christian church.

Section B: Ministry with Youth (30%)

  1. Christian ministry among adolescents in a particular church, including a minimum of 20 hours field work.  Of this, at least 5 hours are to be spent in observation, at least 8 hours in ministry by the candidate, and at least 5 hours in supervised reflection upon observation and teaching.  (These hours exclude preparation and writing up time.)
  2. In addition to and distinctively different to Section 6, candidates are required to participate in one of the following:
    1. Participate in the planning, preparation and leadership of a camp of at least 48 hours duration, for a Christian group;
    2. The planning and conduct of a one-off youth event;
    3. Organising and conduct of a youth leadership training program.

OR, as an alternative to 6 and 7:

  1. Christian Ministry among adolescents including a minimum of 30 hours of fieldwork.  Of this at least 7 hours are to be spent in observation, at least 12 hours in ministry by the candidate, and at least 7 hours in supervised reflection upon observation and teaching (these hours exclude preparation and writing time).

Further Information

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code DM211 or DM011-512.

Set Readings

This unit's indicative bibliography is currently being revised. Students should contact their home college for further details at the time of taking this unit.


Brain, P., Going the Distance: To Stay Fit For a Lifetime in Ministry (Sydney: Matthias Ministry, 2004).

Brierly, D., Growing Community: Making Groups Work with Young People (London: Authentic Lifestyle, 2003).

Dean, K., C. Clark and D. Rahn, Starting Right: Thinking Theologically about Youth Ministry (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001).

Dean, K., Practicing Passion: Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004).

Fields, D., Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002).

Hawkins, T., Leaders Who will Last (Sydney: Hawkins Ministry, 2002).

Kimmel, T., Why Christian Kids Rebel (Nashville: World Wide, 2004).

King, M., Presence-centered Youth Ministry: Guiding Students into Spiritual Formation (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2006).

Lawrence, R., Jesus-Centred Youth Ministry (Loveland, CO: Group, 2007).

Moser, K., Changing the World Through Effective Youth Ministry (Sydney: Aquila, 2000).

Robbins, D. and L. Kageler, This Way to Youth Ministry – Companion Guide: Readings, Case Studies, Resources to Begin the Journey (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004).

Strommen, M. P., K. Jones and D. Rahn, Youth Ministry That Transforms (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001).

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