ACOM / Study / Units / P7215C Developmental Youth Ministry

P7215C Developmental Youth Ministry

This unit explores how youth ministry can become a context for deep, lasting discipleship by aligning its structures, practices, and relationships with principles of developmental faith formation.
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Unit Overview

Qualification

Bachelor

Unit Availability

Study Mode

No Facilitation

Placement

30 hours of vocational placement

Tuition

Bachelor BTM Fee

Prerequisite

9cp in any discipline

Corequisite

N/A

Notes

N/A

Unit Details

This unit explores how youth ministry can become a context for deep, lasting discipleship by aligning its structures, practices, and relationships with principles of developmental faith formation. Students will be introduced to frameworks that emphasise the importance of identity, belonging, and purpose in the lives of young people, and will examine how faith is shaped through networks of influence including family, peers, mentors, and the wider church community.

The unit equips students with strategies for cultivating a culture of discipleship and leadership development within youth ministry settings. This includes practical skills in accompanying young people in their spiritual formation, fostering student leadership, and designing ministry initiatives that align with the principles of developmental youth ministry (DYM).

Rooted in both theory and practice, and informed by current Australian research on youth spirituality, this unit offers a theologically grounded, contextually relevant approach to helping young people grow in faith and leadership.

At the end of this unit students will be able to:

  1. Determine the key principles and strategies for making disciples in youth ministry.
  2. Explain the key components for faith development and discipleship in youth ministry.
  3. Analyse the importance of developing a relational approach to youth ministry.
  4. Explain the context of programs in the discipleship and mentoring of young people and leaders.
  5. Apply various models for equipping youth for leadership and ministry.
  1. Start Here: Why Developmental Youth Ministry Matters
    Exploring the Foundations of Faith Formation in Young People
  2. Shifting from Programs to Formation
    Designing Youth Ministry that Grows Faith, Not Just Attendance
  3. Companioning Young People in Faith
    Nurturing Personal Growth Through Meaningful Engagement
  4. Who Am I? Exploring Identity in Christ
    Faith, Formation, and the Search for Self
  5. Belonging Matters (Part 1)
    How Relationships Shape Spiritual Growth
  6. Belonging Matters (Part 2)
    Building Communities that Hold and Empower
  7. Purpose and Participation
    Helping Young People Lead with Meaning
  8. Turning Insight into Action (Part 1)
    Strategies for Leading Developmental Youth Ministry
  9. Turning Insight into Action (Part 2)
    Embedding Developmental Practice in Real Contexts
  10. Looking Back, Looking Ahead
    Integrating Your Learning for Lifelong Ministry Impact
  1. Online Forums (10%)
    Word Limit: 500 total
    Due: Week 3, 4, 5, 8, 10
  2. Interview Analysis (40%)
    Word Limit: 2000
    Due: Week 7
  3. Major Essay (50%)
    Word Limit: 2500
    Due: Week 12
  • Buono, Sean. Youth Empowered: Launching a Student-Led Youth Ministry to Develop Church Leaders of Tomorrow. WestBow Press, 2020.
  • Emery-Wright, Steve and Ed Mackenzie. Networks for Faith Formation: Relational Bonds and the Spiritual Growth of Youth. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2017.
  • Powell, Kara and Brad M. Griffin. 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager: Making the Most of Your Conversations and Connections. Baker Books, 2021.

Unit Details

Key Dates

Student Stories

A lot of theology training focuses on helping you know what to do, formation helped me go deeper and learn about who I wanted to become. As someone who learns a lot by doing, the highly practical nature of the ACOM model helped me put theory into practice immediately. The online learning helped me do that in the context I’d grown up in.
Ben Dainton – Graduate Diploma of Arts

Student Stories

My studies at ACOM equipped me to be job-ready by providing the ability to complete my student ministry placement in local churches, allowing me to apply what I was learning directly to real-world situations. The practical elements of the coursework gave me the hands-on experience and confidence needed to step into ministry roles, fully prepared to make a meaningful impact.
Lachie Ashworth – Bachelor of Ministry

Student Stories

Admittedly, at first I was nervous about the prospect of Spiritual Formation and what might be involved. But after my first Spiritual Formation retreat, Spiritual Formation very quickly became one of my favourite subjects, and created some of my fondest memories throughout my years studying with ACOM. The relationships I built and the journey I went on with my formation companions, has left a profound impact on my faith, the shaping of who I am, how I lead and my continued involvement in ministry today. I couldn’t recommend Spiritual Formation highly enough as a valuable part of your studies.
Lachie Ashworth – Bachelor of Ministry

Student Stories

As a relatively young person in an employed ministry position, I have greatly benefited from my degree of Bachelor of Ministry and have observed my growth through undergoing studies. While studying and working full time in ministry, I have found that each unit, in some way or another, is relevant to my job whether that be learning to preach or growing my Biblical literacy skills. Through working full-time in ministry, I have found that the online content and structures of my studies allows me to be flexible in structuring my learning around my busy ministry schedule. Each week I am able to accommodate my studies to fit my needs based on my schedule demands.
Libby Hall – Bachelor of Ministry

Student Stories

ACOM's online study options have allowed me to study a theological degree without having to leave my current church setting. The experience of journeying with my formation group has been a huge part of my growth this year.
Simon Cauchi – Bachelor of Theology

Student Stories

Studying with ACOM provided me with a unique and incredible academic experience! ACOM worked with me to deliver a course that benefited and enriched my role in ministry, and that was of great benefit as it meant that I was actively able to apply the material that I had been studying. What stood out for me though while studying with ACOM was how seamlessly spiritual formation was integrated with academic learning. Instead of studying material and writing assessments that had little to do with the complexities of life in ministry, many of the units that I studied were tailored in such a way that I was engaging with God, my heart, and others which led to a deep transformation in my own character and relationship with God. I would highly recommend ACOM to anyone who desires more in their life with God!
Alec Van Bockel – Bachelor of Ministry

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