ASSEMBLIES OF GOD THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Continuing Education Course Springfield, Missouri October 24-25, 2003 PTHE 640 Special Studies: Engaging the Millennial Generation (1 Credit) Jay P. Taylor, D. Min. Fall 2003 COURSE SYLLABUS COURSE DESCRIPTION This course will provide an opportunity for focused reflection on the emerging Millennial culture and what the Church must do to engage it. More specifically, this course will facilitate a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Millennial world in order to produce greater ministry effectiveness within contemporary youth culture. COURSE OBJECTIVES The seminar-style course is an arena for learning and growth of several kinds: Cultural exploration: to understand and appreciate major forms of cultural influence that are creating the context in which Millennials live and are shaped, and how these cultural shifts can be maximized to facilitate the Millennial quest for holistic spirituality. Cultural appreciation: to experience first-hand the Millennial world through onsite field study, personal interviews, and interactive exercises in order to gain a deeper appreciation for the unique contributions it can make to our Christian journey. Theological reflection: to hear Millennial culture posing critical life questions, and to exercise reflective skills needed to begin the process of developing meaningful answers. Ministry enhancement: to be better prepared with the attitudes and skills necessary to facilitate Millennial spirituality and cultivate authentic community, as well as to develop relationships with other leaders devoted to this mission. METHODOLOGY This course will utilize a wide variety of learning methods including guest lectures and phone interviews with field practitioners currently engaged in Millennial ministry, onsite field study 1and interviews, panel discussions, interactive exercises, and selected reading. While the course will have a cognitive component, it is largely intended to be personal and experiential in nature. REQUIRED TEXTBOOK Howe, Neil and William Strauss. Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation. New York: Vintage Books, 2000. RECOMMENDED READING Barna, George. Real Teens: A Contemporary Snapshot of Youth Culture. Regal Books, 2001. COURSE REQUIREMENTS 1. Class Attendance: Students are expected to attend all class sessions and be active participants in all field studies, interviews, discussions, activities, etc. 2. Reading Requirement: Read the required text in its entirety and prepare a two page typewritten "Reflective Reading Report.” In this report you are to state whether or not you have completed the reading in its entirety, and discuss 3-4 of the most important ideas or challenges you picked up from the book and how they relate to your ministry context. (This is not a review or summary outline of the book’s main points, but a personal reflection on specific insights that were significant for you personally, and why.) Due: December 29, 2003. 3. Final Project. Each student will design a final project that assists them in integrating materials from the course with their ministry context. Final project options include: • Multimedia project: Using the course as a starting point, develop a brief multimedia (PowerPoint/Web-based, etc.) presentation designed to effectively reach Millennials or to assist non-Millennials in understanding and/or ministering to Millennials. • Sermons/Messages: using insights gained from the course, write two messages designed to reach a Millennial audience. • Internet Project: research Millennial culture on the Internet and prepare a 8-10 page paper on your findings, including the implications for ministry. • Research paper: prepare a 10-12 page paper on some aspect of Millennial ministry that would be helpful to you. • Personal ministry growth plan: Discuss in practical terms some of the ways the course can be implemented into your own life and ministry. • Self-designed project: Participants have the option of proposing a customized post-session project. The proposal must be submitted in written form, and the professor’s permission must be secured in advance. Final project is due: December 29, 2003. 23GRADING PROCEDURE Class Participation 15% Reading of Textbook/Reading Reflection 35% Final Project 50% 100% Note: Late work will be penalized. Submit all assignments to: AGTS Continuing Education ATTN: Jay Taylor 1435 N. Glenstone Avenue Springfield, MO 65802 NOTE: Work received after the semester due date specified in the syllabus will result in a change of grade fee ($15.00) being charged, even when an extension has been granted by the instructor. SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY Careaga, Andrew. eMinistry: Connecting with the Net Generation. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2001. Gaylor, Dennis, ed. Reach the U: A Handbook for Effective Campus Ministry. Springfield, Chi Alpha Ministries, 2003. Jones, Tony. Postmodern Youth Ministry: Exploring cultural shift, creating holistic connections, cultivating authentic community. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001. SPECIFIC DATA Prepared by Jay Taylor, August