Assignments for this course take the form of written summaries, research, and analysis. They are designed to help us work through the course objectives, while keeping a focus on our spiritural growth through conceptual learning.

For each assignment, please develop a document and submit it to me in either Microsoft Word, RTF (rich text format), or HTML format (your word processing software should permit you to do a "save as" and choose either of those formats).

For each assignment, please be sure to that your responses indicate that you have read and carefully considered the resource material, as assigned.

Additional Comments 2

Objective: Understand the unique environment faced by the contemporary church;

Comments

The contemporary church—the church of the early 21st century—is confronted by the transition from what some have called the “modern” era to the “postmodern” era. As with all transitions, the current era is marked by massive, disruptive, and usually unpredictable changes.

The nature of the transition from modern to postmodern is one of profound impact on practice, doctrine, and perhaps even intrinsic belief. As is the case when times are in flux, many are asking deep and probing questions about the role of the church, and the nature of faith itself.

The Postmodern Youth Minister
By definition, the youth pastor is concerned with all things “young.” In no other part of church ministry is the emergence of the “postmodern” church more evident than in youth ministry.

Youth ministry is “ground zero” for changes and challenges in the church. It is and will be the first place to experience the structural and operational changes of shifting cultural and faith values.

For that reason, it is crucial that a prepared youth pastor have a strong handle on the transition to postmodern life, in the broader culture and in the church.

Resources for Postmodern Youth Pastors
Fortunately, there are many excellent resources readily available for youth pastors. Among them are resources grouped under the following categories (each of which makes a good search engine query phrase):

Emerging Church
Future Church
Postmodern Church
Postmodern Christianity
“New Kind of Christian”

Among the leading thinkers and writers on the postmodern church:
Leonard Sweet
Brian McLaren
Tom Hohstadt