CF 101 Introduction to Children S and Family Ministry

CF 501 Introduction to Children’s and Family Ministry

Fall 2008

Dr. Denise Muir Kjesbo

Course Description

This foundational course will present a broad overview of contemporary ministry to children and families set within the broader educational ministries of the church. The field of children's ministry will be analyzed in the context of cultural trends affecting children, families and the church. Students will explore a survey of the history of religious education from Old Testament times to the present day as well as current theories of ministry to children and families. These experiences will guide the students in developing a biblical philosophy of ministry to children and families.

Course Objectives

As a result of this course, students will:

1. Reflect on their role as a minister to children and families.

2. Understand how children's and family ministry interfaces with the broader educational ministries in the local church.

3. Explore the history of religious education from Old Testament to the present day.

4. Examine current trends in culture that impact children and families and develop a ministry response.

5. Articulate a personal philosophy of ministry to children and families.

Textbooks

· Barna, George. 2003. Transforming Children Into Spiritual Champions. Ventura, CA: Regal Books. ISBN: 0830732934

· Beckwith, Ivy. 2004. Postmodern Children’s Ministry. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing. ISBN: 0310257549

· Jutila, Craig, Jim Wideman, & Pat Verbal. Children's Ministry That Works. (revised and updated). Loveland, CO: Group Publishing. 2002 ISBN: 0764424076

· May, Scottie, Beth Posterski, Catherine Stonehouse and Linda Cannell. Children Matter. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans Publishing. 2005 ISBN: 0802822282

· McIntosh, Gary. One Church, Four Generations. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books. 2002. ISBN: 0801091373

· Miller, Sue & David Staal. Your Children's Ministry the Best Hour of Every Kid's Week. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing. 2004. ISBN: 031025485X

Course Requirements

A. READING AND RESPONSE OF ASSIGNED TEXTS:

You are expected to read all six required texts. Each text will require a response via written projects or online discussions.

Note: All assignments MUST be typed

B. PRE-CAMPUS ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Personal Profile

Students will post a personal profile online so that we can get to know one another in the class. Use this discussion forum to introduce yourself to the class. In the first paragraph tell about yourself, family and/or special interests. In another paragraph or two describe your ministry context and your involvement in children and family ministry.

2. Barna text

Students will read the Barna text. Reflection upon the following questions will form the foundation of group discussion on the discussion board.

In addition to posting their responses students will respond to the postings of the members of their small group a minimum of two times. The purpose of the postings is to foster conversation and stimulate interaction among small group members. Please frame your responses with this in mind. Please post your initial post by Wednesday of the designated discussion board week and then respond to your classmates by Friday.

· What was your general response to this text?

· Points of agreement/points of disagreement?

· How would your ministry setting be changed if Barna's tenets and proposals were taken seriously and incorporated?

3. Miller & Staal text

Students will read Miller & Staal. Reflection upon the following questions will form the foundation of group discussion in the discussion board.

In addition to posting their responses students will respond to the postings of the members of their small group a minimum of two times. The purpose of the postings is to foster conversation and stimulate interaction among small group members. Please frame your responses with this in mind. Please post your initial posting by Wednesday of the designated discussion board week and then respond to your classmates by Friday.

· What was your general response to this text?

· Points of agreement/points of disagreement?

· How would your ministry setting be changed if Miller's tenets and proposals were taken seriously and incorporated?

4. Beckwith text

Students will read Beckwith. Reflection upon the following questions will form the foundation of group discussion in the discussion board.

In addition to posting their responses students will respond to the postings of the members of their small group a minimum of two times. The purpose of the postings is to foster conversation and stimulate interaction among small group members. Please frame your responses with this in mind. Please post your initial posting by Wednesday of the designated discussion board week and then respond to your classmates by Friday.

· What was your general response to this text?

· Points of agreement/points of disagreement?

· How would your ministry setting be changed if Beckwith's tenets and proposals were taken seriously and incorporated?

C. POST-CAMPUS ASSIGNMENTS:

5. McIntosh Text

Students will participate in an online discussion forum responding to the following questions re: the text:

· Highlight three points of learning that you gleaned from your reading.

· Offer three ideas which you hope to apply in your ministry context.

· What are the implications of generational research on the children's and family ministry in your context?

6. May Text

The discussion for this text will be broken into two weeks. Each week respond to the following questions in your postings.

· What new concepts did you gain from your reading this week? List three concepts.

· What are your points of agreement/disagreement with the text?

· What are the implications of this text for your ministry setting? Note three potential implications.

7. Jutila text

Students will participate in an online discussion forum responding to the following questions re: the text:

· Highlight three points of learning that you gleaned from your reading.

· Note areas of agreement/disagreement that you encountered while reading this text.

· Offer three ideas which you hope to apply in your ministry context.

8. Philosophy of Children's and Family Ministry paper.

Students will develop their Philosophy of Children's and Family Ministry and write a paper (2500 - 3000 words). The following questions may be used to guide the philosophy statement:

· What is the rationale for children's and family ministry?

· What are the biblical and theological foundations of children's and family ministry?

· What is the goal of children's and family ministry?

· What are the unique challenges of children's and family ministry?

· What is the role of the children's and family minister?

· What is the relationship between church and home in the spiritual formation of children?

· What is the role of church-based volunteers in children's and family ministry?

· How can your strengths be best used in children's and family ministry?

· What are your dreams for children's and family ministry?

Course Grading

Reading and Discussion Forum - Barna 10%

Reading and Discussion Forum – Miller 10%

Reading and Discussion Forum - Beckwith 10%

Reading and Discussion Forum – McIntosh 10%

Reading and Discussion Forum - May, et. Al 15%

Reading and Discussion Forum - Jutila, et. al 10%

Philosophy of Children's and Family Ministry 30%

Attendance and Participation in class 5%

Grading Policies

All work is to handed in on time. If mitigating circumstances arise that make it difficult for the student to submit work on time, contact with the professor as soon as possible is crucial. This course has weekly assignments that must be attended to in order to stay current in the class. Work submitted after the deadline will be penalized.

Discussion Forums

Discussion forums are designed to replicate the interactive discussion present in classroom discussion. Therefore students need to participate in the forum during the appointed time. Submission of responses after the discussion forum closes, while fulfilling the "letter of the law" re: participation, miss out on the interactive nature of the discussion forum. Therefore late participation in the discussion forum will not be counted toward one's grade. Please note the rhythm of the weekly postings that will enhance the discussion process and do your best to follow it.

Disability Services Statement

Accessibility: Please contact the instructor as soon as possible if disability-related accommodations are needed. Accommodations for students with documented disabilities are set up through the office of Disability Services. Contact Kathy McGillvray, Director of Disability Services at (651) 635-8759.

ASSIGNMENTS

Week 1: September 22-27

ROLL CALL: All students will respond to the class "roll call" by replying to the professor's e-mail noting their presence and participation in the class.

POST: Personal Profile; due September 29 (Find under the Communication button - Discussion Board)

READ: Barna text

Week 2: September 29 – October 4

RESPOND: Students will participate in the discussion forum for the Barna text.

READ: Students will read Miller & Staal.

Week 3: October 6-11

RESPOND: Students will participate in the discussion forum for Miller & Staal text.

READ: Students will read Beckwith text.

Week 4: October 13-18

RESPOND: Students will participate in the discussion forum for Beckwith text.

READ: Students will read McIntosh text

Week 5: October 20-25

ATTEND: On-Campus Intensive for this course

No Assignments outside of class

Week 6: October 27 - November 1

ATTEND: On-Campus Intensive for other course

No assignments outside of class

Week 7: November 3-8

RESPOND: McIntosh Discussion Forum (Find under the Discussion Board button)

READ: May, et. al. Chapters 1-8

BEGIN: Begin working on your Philosophy of Children’s and Family Ministry Paper

Week 8: November 10-15

READ: May, et. al. Chapters 9-15

RESPOND: May, et. al. Discussion Forum #1 (Find under the Discussion Board button)

CONTINUE: Continue working on your Philosophy of Children’s and Family Ministry Paper

Week 9: November 17-22

READ: Jutila, et. al

RESPOND: May, et. al. Discussion Forum #2 (Find under the Discussion Board button)

CONTINUE: Continue working on your Philosophy of Children’s and Family Ministry Paper

Week 10: November 24-29 Thanksgiving Week – No Assignments

Week 11: December 1-5

RESPOND: Jutila Discussion Forum (Find under the Discussion Board button)

SUBMIT: Philosophy of Children's and Family Ministry Paper via the Assignments Link in the Week 11 folder; due Dec. 5