Diploma in Youth Ministry

MM575: Pastoral Care of Adolescents

Aim

To create an understanding of the developmental and behavioural dynamics of adolescence and to develop effective pastoral care practice.

Content Outline

a. Adolescence
Developmental changes in adolescence, the needs of the adolescent, adolescent adjustment issues, the family and the adolescent.

b. Adolescent Pastoral Care
Biblical principles of adolescent pastoral care, pastoral care of adolescents in youth ministry, the process of helping adolescents, dealing with common adolescent issues.

Assessments

Assessment 1: Personal Reflection (2,000 words): Reflect on your own adolescence. Discuss those experiences, events and circumstances that shaped who you are today and describe their impact. Reflect on the implications of the above on your ministry to young people. List specific points you will apply to your life and leadership.

Assessment 2: Written Assignment(1,000 words): Present a pastoral care policy document for a youth ministry. The document must: present a brief theology of pastoral care; describe a practical strategy for providing comprehensive pastoral care to all young people in various need; describe a procedure for the recruitment and training of pastoral care providers; identify areas requiring immediate implementation or change.

Assessment 3: Case Study (1,000 words): Present a case study on an adolescent. The case study must:
Either -
Describe a pastoral response you have made to a young person in need. Evaluate your response, analysing its effect, and identify specific areas for future improvement.
Or -
Describe a process you would use for helping a young person through a common adolescent issue. Identify those aspects of the process you feel most competent and least competent to perform and describe their impact on the pastoral care process. List strategies for developing competency.

Mode of Delivery

Distance study. On site option available in Auckland and Christchurch Semester 2, 2010.