School of Arts and Sciences
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Department of Theology
Minor in Youth & Family Ministry
Ministry is relational. Learn the biblical and sociological foundation for building relationships and fostering faith development, especially in youth and their families.
Minister the faith needs of our youths and families
This minor is a great addition to any program. Whether you plan to go to seminary or another graduate school to become a full-time church worker, or you just want to serve in this role part-time or as a volunteer, this minor will help you know the Bible, understand youth, be equipped for relational ministry, and gain tools for fostering faith development among youth, children, and families.
Program Overview
The Youth and Family Ministry Minor prepares students to serve the church in youth, family, and relational ministry in a part-time or avocational capacity. Graduates will practice Christ-like love, integrity, and excellence as they learn to develop youth and family programming, understand the fundamentals of relational and family ministry, and prepare to teach the truth of God's Word.
What to Expect
As a minor, students will not be admitted directly into this program, but it will be a helpful addition for students interested in serving their churches or in mission while studying for other vocations.
Locations
- Ann Arbor
Theodore J. Hopkins
Ph.D., M.Div.
Director - Pre-seminary studies for CUAA, Associate Professor
Office: Krieger K-110
Phone: (734) 995-7480
Bio
I am a husband and father, Lutheran pastor and professor, who is particularly interested in Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I began teaching at Concordia University, Ann Arbor in 2015.
Education
- Ph D - Doctrinal Theology, Concordia Seminary (2016)
- M Div - Theology, Concordia Seminary (2011)
- BS - Physics, Valparaiso University (2007)
Contributions
- Hopkins, T. (2021). Christ, Church, and World: Bonhoeffer and Lutheran Ecclesiology after Christendom. (pp. ~200). Lanham, MA: Lexington Books/Fortress Academic Press.
- Hopkins, T. (2020). Luther and Bonhoeffer on the Sermon on the Mount: Similar Tasks, Different Tools. (1 ed.,vol. 7,pp. 34-59). Mequon, WI: Concordia Theological Journal.
- Hopkins, T. (2019). Review of Mark Chavez, American Religion: Contemporary Trends (2nd edition). (1 ed.,vol. 28,pp. 44-45). Logia.
- Hopkins, T. (2018). Review of DeJonge, Michael P. Bonhoeffer’s Reception of Luther. (1 ed.,vol. 6,pp. 91-93). Concordia Theological Journal.
- Hopkins, T. (2018). Theology Is for Confession. (1 ed.,vol. 6,pp. 7-9). Concordia Theological Journal.
Presentations
- Hopkins, T. (2023). Experience Makes the Theologian: Recovering Lutheran Patterns of Christian Experience. Keynote/Plenary Address. 2023 Circuit Visitor's Conference. Frankenmuth, MI.
- Hopkins, T. (2022). Strangers, Yet at Home: Going Beyond the Walls in Humility. Keynote/Plenary Address. Theological Conference 2022: Beyond the Walls with Jesus. Lansing, MI.
- Hopkins, T. (2019). Reading Scripture Against Ourselves: Bonhoeffer's Penitential Hermeneutic. Paper. Devoted: Reforming the Devotional Life (30th annual Theological Symposium). St. Louis, MO.
- Hopkins, T. (2018). The Servant Church: Mission After Christendom. Lecture. St. Luke Lutheran Church Sermon/Bible Study Two-Part Series on The Church's Mission After Christendom. Ann Arbor, MI.
- Hopkins, T. (2018). The Location of Congregational Vocation: The Importance of Place in the Mission of the Church. Oral Presentation. The Lutheran Foundation Grant Workshop. Fort Wayne, IN.
Research Interests
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- Church and World
Teaching Interests
- Systematic Theology
- Lutheran Confessions
Ryan Peterson
Assistant Professor
Phone: (734) 995-7596
Bio
Rev. Dr. Ryan Peterson serves as Campus Pastor/Assistant Professor of Theology. He oversees the worship life of the campus and teaches The Bible, Christian Faith, and other theology courses.
Education
- D Min - Leadership and Ministry Management, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (2017)
- M Div - Theology, Concordia Seminary (2007)
- BA - Pastoral Ministry/Theological Languages, Concordia University Wisconsin (2003)
Research Interests
- Leadership and Ministry Management
- Missions and Evangelism
Teaching Interests
- The Bible
- Christian Faith/Christian Doctrine
Charles R. Schulz
Ph.D, S.T.M., M.A., M.A., M.Div.
Associate Professor
Phone: (734) 995-7384
Bio
Professor Schulz, Pre-seminary Director, loves helping students realize God's calling. At Concordia since 2001, he also served as pastor of St. Thomas (2005-2014). His hobbies include running, travel, and German.
Education
- Ph D - Historical Theology, Concordia Seminary (2020)
- M Div - Concordia Seminary (1996)
- MA - Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity, University of Virginia (2004)
- MA - Classical Languages, Washington University (1998)
- BA - General Science, Concordia University (1990)
- Exegesis, Concordia Seminary (1998)
Contributions
- Schulz, C. Origen's Exegetical Legacy. In Joshua Hollmann, Scott Yakimow (Ed.), Ann Arbor, MI: Concordia Theological Journal . https://www.cuaa....
- Schulz, C. (2018). "Catechism Sermon on the First Article of the Creed." In Benjamin Mayes (Ed.), Luther's Works, Vol. 56, Sermons III. (1 ed.,vol. 56,pp. 307-11). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House. https://www.cph.o...
- Schulz, C. (2018). "Sermon for Exaudi Sunday Afternoon, On Divorce ." In Chris Brown and Benjamin T. Mayes (Ed.), Luther's Works, Vol. 56, Sermons III, pp. 27-36. (1 ed.,vol. 56,pp. 9). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House. https://www.cph.o...
- Schulz, C. (2018). "Sermon for the 10th Sunday after Trinity." In Chris Brown and Benjamin T. Mayes (Ed.), Luther's Works, vol 56, Sermons III. (1 ed.,vol. 56,pp. 62-8). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House. https://www.cph.o...
- Schulz, C. (2018). "Sermon on the Legend of St. Christopher ." In Chris Brown, Benjain Mayes (Ed.), Luther's Works, Sermons III. (vol. 56,pp. 312-7). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.
Presentations
- Schulz, C. (2022). Origen's Exegetical Legacy. Paper. Theological Symposium: Search the Scriptures. St. Louis, MO.
- Schulz, C. (2022). Arguing Over the Gods: Apologetic Interpretations of Ps 82:6 in the Fourth Century. Paper. North American Patristics Society Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL.
Research Interests
- Patristics (Church Fathers)
- Theology of the Lord's Supper
Teaching Interests
- Classical Languages
- Church History
Scott E. Yakimow
Ph.D., M.Div., M.A.
Professor
Office: Krieger 114
Phone: (734) 995-7411
Bio
Rev. Dr. Scott Yakimow arrived at Concordia University Ann Arbor after spending five years as a mechanical engineer working in hydraulics, another four as a missionary in both East Africa and Morocco, and five years as an Associate Professor at Concordia - Portland. His academic interests cover the areas of philosophical theology and comparative religion. Most specifically, he is interested in scriptural logics, particularly those exhibited by pre-modern Christian exegesis, contemporary Lutheran theology, and medieval Islamic tafsir, analyzing them through the thought of the American philosopher, Charles S. Peirce and the contemporary Jewish philosopher, Peter Ochs. This interest leads him to investigate such diverse areas such as Lutheran confessional theology, pragmatic philosophy, ethics, scriptural exegesis and Islam. <br><br>Scott is married to Miriam, and they have five children together. His interests include enjoying his family, mountain biking, hiking, reading, and traveling.
Education
- Ph D - Comparative Scripture, Interpretation, and Practice, University of Virginia (2014)
- M Div - Concordia Seminary (2004)
- MA - Comparative Scripture, Interpretation, and Practice, University of Virginia (2011)
- MA - Islamic Studies, Luther Seminary (1999)
- BS - Mechanical Engineering, Valparaiso University (1994)
- Christ College Scholar, Valparaiso University (1994)
- Modern Standard Arabic, Arabic Language Institute in Fez (2006)
Contributions
- Yakimow, S. (2021). Spreading Open the Letter and Peering Inside: Gregory Nazianzen, Scriptural Pragmatism, and Doctrinal Development. In Jacob Goodson (Ed.), (1 ed.,vol. 19,pp. 37). The Journal of Scriptural Reasoning. https://jsr.shant...
- Yakimow, S. (2019). Testing the Spirits: The Early Church on Judging Prophecy and Prophets. In Theodore Hopkins and Scott Yakimow (Ed.), (1 ed.,vol. 6,pp. 13-37). Ann Arbor, MI: Concordia Theological Journal.
- Yakimow, S. (2016). Signs of Transformation: Communicating the Gospel in an Age of Nones and Dones. In Victor Raj (Ed.), (2 ed.,vol. 24,pp. 281-297). Lutheran Mission Matters.
Presentations
- Yakimow, S. (2020). Signs of Transformation: A Semiotic Approach to a Lutheran Engagement with the World. Lecture. Tri-Circuit Gathering. LCMS Michigan District offices.
- Yakimow, S. (2016). Inquiring into Inquiry. Paper. Theological Educators Conference. Irvine, California.
- Yakimow, S. (2015). Proclamatory Pragmatism: An Investigation into the Lutheran Logic of Law and Gospel. Lecture. Puget Sound Pastor's Conference. Whidbey Island, WA.
- Yakimow, S. (2015). The Role of Doctrine in the Church’s Life. Lecture. Oregon Pastor's Conference. Bend, OR.
- Yakimow, S. (2014). Doctrine and Truth. Lecture. Bi-Circuit Gathering. Portland, OR.
Research Interests
- Biblical Interpretation / Hermeneutics
- Theology and Science
Teaching Interests
- Philosophical Theology
- Scriptural Pragmatism