Children and family ministry focus
Mission-focused learning – in community
Thanks to a creative partnership between Church Mission Society and Frontier Youth Trust, pioneer children and family workers can join a unique learning programme that combines the best of CMS’s experience of pioneering mission and ministry and FYT’s experience of working with young people on the margins.
The Certificate of Higher Education in Theology, Ministry and Mission can be focused towards children and family work by choosing the modules which are outlined below.
These are taught over one year. The modules are taught either online, in-person at CMS House, Oxford, or in context. Each module has 20 hours contact time generally taught over five days, generally Mondays. The days run from 10.30am to 4pm. There is a weekend residential and one week residential incorporated to visit and learn from mission practice.
The resulting award is a Certificate of Higher Education in Theology, Ministry and Mission through Durham University as part of the Common Awards.
Modules
Pioneering Children’s and Families Work (Level 4)
Exploring play, informal education and/or non-formal education among young people and children, questioning and articulating their value and impact in practice. Includes consideration of how children and young people learn and develop and approaches to working with challenging behaviour. A foundation in ministry with children and families, including context, professional standards (including legal frameworks), principles and values involved, and the opportunity to reflect on practices and principles in this area of ministry. An introduction to good practice in relationships with children and families, and to explore the principles and processes involved in using and leading play in your children’s work practice.
Introduction to the Bible (Level 4)
An overview of the purpose, context and content of the Old and New Testaments, becoming familiar with approaches to biblical study and considering how to engage biblical texts in mission and ministry.
Pastoral care, ethics and ministry (Level 4)
An introduction to key issues in both pastoral care and ethics, giving you the tools and theological framework to approach pastoral situations, as well as the space to reflect on your own views and experiences.
Foundations for theology and reflective practice (Level 4)
An introduction to contextual theology, principles and methods of reflection, and their place in mission and practice.
Mission and evangelism (Level 4)
Puts the Bible in conversation with culture to help us gain greater understanding about our own practice of mission, looks at historical trends and current approaches to engaging with and witnessing to the world around us, along with practical engagement in mission.
Spirituality and discipleship (Level 4)
Explores different approaches to discipleship, considering various Christian spiritual practices and biblical models for prayer and engaging practically with these in your own life.