This course examines the relationship of theology and youth ministry practice as it has developed in North America. The course explores the centrality of Jesus in all ministry in the relationship that Jesus already has with young people. That relationship is explored in its post-Christian, postmodern cultural context, with an emphasis on the importance of mentoring as a relational/incarnational tool in youth ministry.

1. Students will identify and describe an approach to youth ministry that is expressive of a theology of ministry that is Trinitarian, Christ-centered and incarnational. This outcome will be demonstrated through contributions to online discussions and the short reflection paper. 
2. Students will describe the history of youth ministry in North America and the trending of North American culture toward post-Christendom and post-modernity. This outcome will be demonstrated through contributions to the online discussions and in the final paper. 
3. Students will describe how these historical/cultural forces impact the contemporary practice of youth ministry. This outcome will be demonstrated through contributions to the online discussions. 
4. Students will compare an Incarnational, Trinitarian approach to youth ministry to other approaches. This outcome will be demonstrated through contributions to online discussions, including reporting on a visit to an existing youth ministry program in the student’s community. 
5. Students will design a youth ministry program that is faithful to a Trinitarian, Incarnational theology in their particular ministry setting. This outcome will be demonstrated in the final paper, which sets forth the student’s assessment of current youth ministry programming and their proposal for the redesign of that programming.