The Youth and Family Ministry track is designed to develop skilled ministry practitioners who are able to design effective local church ministry for both youth and families. Special attention will be given to helping parents fulfill their primary responsibility of teaching the truths of God from His Word.

In addition to the Master of Arts in Specialized Ministry Core Outcomes, the Youth and Family Ministry Track attempts to achieve specific outcomes:

1. Know how to apply the principles of human learning to how people learn Bible truths
2. Be confident in the ability to teach the Bible effectively
3. Know how to design and implement an effective educational plan
4. Know how to promote effectively the spiritual growth of others
5. Know both the theory and the practice of ministry to youth and families
6. Be one who has formulated a written statement of youth and family ministry philosophy that incorporates Scripture and an awareness of key philosophical issues
7. Know how to utilize the goal setting process as an important element in enhancing the effectiveness of both one’s own life and ministry

The program requires a minimum of 60 credit hours:

Spiritual formation: 6 hours
SFS 501 Learning to Love God and Others (2)
SFS 502 Practicing Prayer and Other Key Disciplines (2)
SFS 504 Growing into Ethical Maturity (2)

Biblical interpretation studies: 16 hours
DBS 506 Learning to Interpret Scripture (4)
BLS 501 Interpreting Genesis to Song of Solomon (4)
BLS 502 Interpreting the Prophets to Gospels (4)
BLS 503 Interpreting Acts to Revelation (4)

Theological studies: 10 hours
THS 501 Knowing the Triune God: Theology I (4)
THS 502 Glorifying the God of our Salvation: Theology II (4)
THS 503 Living as the Community of the Spirit: Theology III (2)

Ministerial core studies: 12 hours
Required—4 hours:
DMS 501 Thinking Theologically about Ministry (2)
DMS 506 Developing Godly Leadership for the 21st Century (2)

Restricted electives—Select 8 hours from among the following:
DIS 501 Communicating Christ in Culture (2)
DMS 502 Introducing Theology and Practice of Worship (2)
EMS 505 Growing Disciples Intentionally (2)
PTS 503 Practicing Evangelism and Apologetics (2)
PTS 504 Maximizing the Church’s Redemptive Influence (2)
PTS 507 Providing Pastoral Counseling (2)
PTS 508 Developing Strong Families (2)
PTS 510 Preparing and Preaching Expository Sermons (2)

Mentored Ministry: 6 hours
MFM 500 Discovering/Developing Your Ministry Potential (2)
MFM 501-504 Mentored Field Ministry (1+1+1+1)
(see program advisor for MFM/practicum details)

Specialization track: 8 hours
Select 8 hours from the courses below, or related electives with advisor
approval:
FMS 501 Family Ministry in the Church (2)
FMS 503 Building the Pastoral Team (2)
YMS 501 Understanding Adolescent Development (1)
YMS 502 Developing a Theological Model for 21st Youth Ministry (2)
YMS 503 Managing Youth Ministry (2)
YMS 504 Communicating to Youth (1)
YMS 505 Issues for 21st Century Youth Ministry (1)
YMS 506 Spiritual Formation of Youth (1)
CNS 546 Counseling Adolescents (1)

Open electives: 2

Total: 60 hours

• M.A. in Specialized Ministry Chaplaincy Track
• M.A. in Specialized Ministry Children / Youth at Risk Track
• M.A. in Specialized Ministry Coaching Track
• M.A. in Specialized Ministry Evangelism and Equipping Track
• M.A. in Specialized Ministry Pastoral Care to Women Track
• M.A. in Specialized Ministry Youth Ministry Track
• Back to M.A. in Specialized Ministry Main Page

Top of Page