Fall 2012 Courses

COURSES OFFERED FALL 2012

The following courses will be offered by Memphis Theological Seminary for students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Youth Ministry degree program (this includes all CYMT graduate residents) during the 2012-2013 school year.  Please note the dates and times of these courses; they are offered in retreat-based format on the campus of Memphis Theological Seminary.

All residents will take the following core course:

Introduction to Interpreting the Old Testament

Instructor:  Dr. Steven McKenzie

An introduction to the literature, history, and methods of interpreting the Old Testament. The course intends to assist the student in appropriating the biblical texts for the practice of ministry. (Prerequisites:  None.  Meetings: On retreat, Aug. 6-9 / Sept. 20-22 / Nov. 8-10 and in regional discussion groups on Aug. 16, Aug. 30, Sept. 13, Oct. 4, Oct. 11, Oct. 25, and Nov. 15.)

In addition to Old Testament, all 2nd year residents will take the following course:

Communicating the Gospel to Youth

Instructor:  Rev. Andrew Zirschky

Throughout Christian history various approaches have been used to share the Gospel, pass along the faith, and disciple young people.  In this course we will explore contemporary approaches for communicating the Gospel to adolescents and assess them both theologically and in light of our sociocultural situation.  Students will test these approaches by crafting and teaching lesson plans that draw from each of them.  In the process students will move toward formulating a personal philosophy of youth ministry to guide the formation and education of youth.  Students will come away from this course with a deeper understanding of approaches to faith formation, and with a more intentional and developed skill-set for engaging in the work of communicating the Gospel to young people. (Prerequisites: This course is open to students who have completed Youth Ministry Practicum 1 & 2. Meetings: On retreat, Aug. 6-9 / Sept. 20-22 / Nov. 8-10 and in discussion groups on Aug. 23, Sept. 6, Sept. 27, Oct. 18, and Nov. 1.)

In addition to Old Testament, all 1st year residents will take the following two courses:

Formation for Ministry 1

Instructor: MTS Staff

Spiritual formation for ministry and the integration of theological education with family life, church and the larger community are essential for development as Christian servant leaders. Credit for this class is earned over a period of the first, second, and last semesters of the student’s degree program. This class will help ground participants in covenants of accountability that lead to lifelong theological learning, holy friendships, and a set of practices that will sustain pastoral excellence throughout their lives. Participants will explore major themes of Christian life and leadership, including: Being and Becoming a Beloved Child of God, God’s Dream for the World, Wholeness and Health, Building Relationships and Learning to Live in Solidarity With Those Made Poor and/or Marginal in Society, Keeping the Sabbath, Power, Money, Building the Beloved Community, Call, and Discipleship Over the Long Haul. (This course is required for all first-year graduate residents.  Meetings: On retreat, Aug. 6-9 / Sept. 20-22/ Nov. 8-10.)

Youth Ministry Practicum 1

Instructor: Rev. Dietrich Kirk

Students will gain in-the-trenches youth ministry experience by serving in a local church as a part of their practicum experience. The program is designed for all students to work full- or part-time as a youth minister during their education allowing them to put all the pieces together—everything they learn from peers in their cohort, the professors in the classroom, and from their coach. (This course is required by all first-year graduate residents. Meetings: On retreat, Aug. 6-9 / Sept. 20-22 / Nov. 8-10.)

The following two courses are elective courses.  All residents will be required to participate in the Contemporary Issues in YM course even if they choose not to take it for credit.

Cumberland Presbyterian History and Doctrine

Instructor:  Rev. Andy McClung

The historical and doctrinal development of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church from its origins in the Reformed tradition to the present day is the focus of this course. (Please note: This course is available only to third-year graduate residents.  Meetings: On retreat, Aug. 6-9 / Sept. 20-22 / Nov. 8-10 Wednesday.  Also, all day on Sept. 19.) 

Contemporary Issues in Youth Ministry — FROM TXT-2-SPEECH

Instructor: Rev. Andrew Zirschky

This course will be taught in conjunction with the CYMT Summit, FROM TXT-2-SPEECH: Proclaiming Scripture in a Digital Age, to be held Nov. 29-Dec. 1 in Nashville.  What is the future of Christian proclamation in a society increasingly driven by networked technologies and 140-character communications? What place does preaching to young people have in such a society, and what form might it take? How might we move from mere sermons and “youth talks” into affecting the lives of young hearers? Bringing together a diversity of voices, we’ll explore both the present and future of the sermonic event. Students will receive practical and theological guidance in proclaiming Scripture to young people in digital culture. This course is repeatable with unique topics investigated at each offering. (Prerequisites: None. Meetings: Nov. 29-Dec. 1.)