Education
- D.Min., Youth and Family Ministry, Fuller Theological Seminary, 2008
- M.Div., magna cum laude, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, 1976
- M.Div. Studies, Duke University Divinity School, 1974
- B.A., Psychology, The University of North Carolina-Charlotte, 1973
Areas of Research
- Youth Ministry
- Practical Theology
- Communication: preaching and teaching (Homiletics)
- Cultural Exegesis
- Christian Nurture and Discipleship
- Contextualization: preaching and teaching to a post-Christian audience
Courses
- Introduction to Youth Ministry
- Introduction to Christian Ministry
- I love teaching these two courses because they give me the chance to introduce my students to a basic understanding of four key issues that shape ministry:
- ecclesiology (why the Church is important),
- spiritual formation (how we help people grow into the likeness of Christ)
- vocation (how God moves in and through our lives for His Kingdom), and,
- philosophy of ministry (we aren’t just program directors; we’re spiritual directors)
- Communicating the Gospel
- It doesn’t do much good to have a lofty philosophy of ministry if we can’t actually communicate the Gospel effectively in a clear and engaging way. I really enjoy the practical skills that are our focus in this class.
- Christ and Culture
- I find this class such a joy to teach because it allows me and my students, like the Apostle Paul, to “walk around and look carefully” (cf. (Acts 17: 16, 23) at the idols in our culture, to the end that we ourselves might practice discernment in our own discipleship, and be able to reflective, biblical contextualization in reaching out spiritually to those who don’t know Christ.
- Leadership and Administration
- In all honesty, the topics in this course are not my favorites to teach. Most people don’t go into teaching so they can talk about “Legal Issues in Ministry”. But, the topics in this class are absolutely mission-critical. I liken them to all the behind-the-scenes work that had to be done to get the paralyzed man in Mark 2 to the feet of Jesus. And, what I’ve observed is that my students are deeply appreciative that someone is willing to teach this material. I always say to them: “No one goes into ministry to talk about this stuff, but a lot of people get out of ministry because they didn’t talk about this stuff”
- Issues in Contemporary Ministry
- The joy of this course is having a relaxed and collaborative format in which to think theologically and practically about key issues that face the church today.
What is the most important piece of advice you give students to help them succeed?
- I start with the presupposition that we are doing what we do – both students and professor – to the best of our ability, as unto God and not men (nor grades given by men!). I try to model that every day in class in my own teaching, and I try to reflect that in my expectations for student work.
Selected Publications
- Ministry of Nurture, (Zondervan/Youth Specialties)
- This Way to Youth Ministry: An Introduction to the Adventure (Zondervan/Youth Specialties Academic).
- Youth Ministry: The Basics and Beyond, co-edited with Deon Kitching (Youth Specialties-South Africa)
- Enjoy the Silence, co-authored with Maggie Robbins (Zondervan/Youth Specialties)
- Speaking to Teenagers, co-authored with Doug Fields (Zondervan/Youth Specialties)
- Building a Youth Ministry That Builds Disciples (Zondervan/HarperCollins)
- Youth Ministry Nuts and Bolts, Zondervan/Harper Collins
Additional Experience
I think my teaching is enhanced by a very active ministry of speaking all over the world to teenagers and people who care about teenagers (youthworkers, pastors, parents), and to people of all ages at various events, conferences and retreats. I think this helps to keep me “keeps me honest,” and grounded. It reminds me that, while the teaching task is critical, my role at GCC is to serve the Church, and the most important fruit of that work will happen off campus. I’ve also enjoyed so much, in my on-campus ministry, the experience of discipling and mentoring my students. They inspire me, and remind me that we aren’t just professor-and- student-seeking-to-learn, but we’re also brothers and sisters seeking together to grow deeper in Christ.