Get your writing skills down.  Learn how to think.  Get used to reading… a lot. No class or is a blow off class.

You are preparing to work with students who need cutting edge, strategic thinking, integrity strong, well-read, loving leaders who know how to build a team, guide parents, and get into a young persons life and love them into the kingdom.  

Youth Ministry-Traditional

Youth Ministry-General Ministry

Youth Ministry/Preaching

YM111 Youth Ministry Orienteering: A Practicum  An introductory course (meeting several times throughout the semester) that will orient students to the youth ministry program, to the various youth ministry vocational opportunities, and to developing a personal ministry preparation strategy that includes both fueling their passion and pointing them toward practical ministry. (0)

YM211 Foundations for Youth Ministry An overview of the theological, philosophical, administrative and practical ministry issues necessary for an effective disciple-making youth minister. This class will lay the foundation for the other Youth Ministry classes on which the student will build during the process of becoming a complete, fully prepared disciple-making youth minister for whatever ministry context God leads the student to enter. Prerequisite: YM111 or approval of Youth Ministry coordinator. (3 Credits)

YM325 Relational Dynamics for Youth Ministry A practical examination of the relational dynamics for effective leadership, administration, and ministry in the life of the youth minister, including his/her relationship with God, personal family, students, the ministry staff, the church, and the world. Prerequisite: YM211. (3 Credits)

YM327 Social Issues for Youth and Family Ministry An exploration of the current social issues confronting young people and their families (abuse, sexuality, drugs/alcohol, suicide, self-esteem, pornography, etc), and basic counseling skills needed to effectively address these issues from a Biblical perspective so as to provide the necessary guidance for young people on their journey to becoming disciples of Jesus. Prerequisite: YM211. (3 Credits)

Homiletics A course providing the theological basis for preaching and the basic techniques necessary for sermon construction and delivery. (3 Credits)

PR 310 Expository Preaching. A course providing the re-sources necessary for accurate and relevant expository preaching, including the interpretation of Biblical passages from the various genres of Scripture. Prerequisite: PR 212 Homiletics. (3)

PR 320 The Preacher’s Inner Life. An examination of the theological basis, unique challenges, and practical helps for the life-long spiritual growth of the preacher. Emphasis will be placed on the preacher’s reading. (3)

YM242 Youth Sports and Outreach Recreation A philosophical and practical course in preparing students to use sports and recreation in youth ministry and as a means for outreach for a church or para-church organization. Focus will be placed on sport philosophy, outreach program organization, safety, and pedagogy. (1) Coming Soon

YM328 Ministry to Inner City Children and Youth  A course designed to help equip students for youth ministry in inner cities in North America, looking at the unique challenges and skills involved with ministering to children and youth of the inner city. Students will also look at holistic youth ministry models through reading, research, and field interviews. Same as IC329. (3 Credits)

YM329 Ministry to International Children and Youth A course designed to help equip students for youth ministry in two areas: long-term youth ministry in a foreign culture and U.S. Campus ministry to international students. Same as IC329.(3 Credits)

YM330 Crucial Issues in Youth Ministry/NYLC This is a course that provides youth ministry networking and the philosophical and practical aspects of youth ministry, in a convention setting. This course is offered officially during Winter Term by attending National Youth Leaders Convention in Joplin, Missouri, but can be used independently for another convention if approved by Youth Ministry Professor. (Winter-term) (3 Credits max: 2 credits the first year, 1 credit for a second year.)

YM332 Children's Ministry for the Youth Minister A practical exploration of the philosophies, methods, practices, and resources necessary for a youth minister (with oversight of young people from birth to college) to lead and oversee a vibrant ministry to and with children and their families. Prerequisite: YM211. (1 Credit)

YM333 Youth Ministry Camping An experiential course exploring the value, rationale, and practice of youth ministry in a camping or wilderness camping context. Participants will learn how to plan and deal with the logistics of leading camping experiences, and how to facilitate the development of community, leadership, and spiritual growth. Prerequisite: YM211. (1) Coming Soon

YM399 Special Issues in Youth Ministry (1-3 Credits: this is an open option for special projects or classes offered for youth ministry majors.  A special independent study could be arranged with the student to further develop a weak area of ministry preparedness.)

YM400 Youth Ministry Programming: Nuts and Bolts A practical course designed to equip the participant with ideas, resources, understanding, and abilities to develop creative and biblical youth ministry programming (from brainstorming to implementation and evaluation as well as administration) for an effective ministry to youth and their families. Prerequisite: YM211 and YM327. (1) Coming Soon

YM410 Ministry to the College Campus This course will examine the theory and practice of leading and participating in an effective campus ministry. Pre-requisite: YM211. (1) Coming Soon

YM420 Youth Ministry Discipleship: Spiritual Formation of Youth This course focuses on understanding what discipleship and maturity look like in the lives of adolescents and helps the student to develop the knowledge and skills to facilitate the spiritual formation of young people and the ability to equip others to do the same. An emphasis is placed on training adults as mentors and small group leaders, selecting or writing biblical, life-changing, and age-developmentally appropriate curriculum, as well as being sensitive to the Spirit’s role in the spiritual formation of those we lead. Prerequisite: YM211 and YM327. (1) Coming Fall 05

CC430 Introduction to Counseling. An introduction to the basic principles of effective counseling, with special emphasis upon counseling situations likely to be confronted by specialized Christian workers. Same as CE430. (3)

CM242 Leading and Learning in Small Groups. A course emphasizing the skills necessary for organizing and guiding small groups in the church. (2; plus 0-credit lab)

PR423 Theology of Ministry. A course developing a theology of ministry and its application within the local congregation. (2)

WM373 Live Production Techniques for Worship. A survey of production techniques for worship services including live sound reinforcement, theatrical lighting, and stage/aesthetic design. Emphasis will be given to the use of these tools in the worship environment. (2)

WM374 Visual Media for Worship. A survey of digital graphics and digital video techniques that can be used in a worship environment. Emphasis will be given to developing and preparing thematic graphics for the screen, as well as storyboarding, shooting, and editing video. (2)

These electives are listed in the catalog and class schedules with a prefix of CM.