Daniel B. Stockstill, Ph.D.
Professor of Youth and Family Ministry
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My Mission (Why I am at Harding)
"What we win people with is what we win people to!" My mission at Harding University is founded on the determination to allow God to direct my life according to his purpose. This is not an easy choice for me but it is an important choice. It is my priority to be the man of God I need to be--for the sake of my Lord, for my sake, for my family, and for my students. I hope that my efforts in preparing others to minister to teens and families always reflects the priority of yielding to God and his call. I believe that we are to be 'tools' in his service controled by his will and surrendered to his desire.
My life has been shaped by what I understand as God's call to minister to young people and their families. As I have aged, I have found the need to reach the young with the 'good news' of Jesus more critical in today's world than the world of my youth. Families are in crisis. The adolescent and younger years are prime years for the message of Jesus to heard and obeyed. This is one of our closest and most fertile mission fields. We need to help parents, congregations, and cities to touch these tender lives with a God's message of redemption and renewal.
Since my coming to the university, I have endeavored to develop a program which emphasizes the following elements:
- Prepare students to be the people of God so they might do the work of God.
- Develop a program which provides spiritual depth and spiritual development as well as sociological and skills training.
- Collaborate with fellow faculty members and full-time practicioners to seek the best methods and materials for training ministers to youth and family and to expand the faculty trained in this vital area as the growth of the program warrants.
- Prepare students to meet both the challenges of today's society and provide students with the tools to adapt to rapid changes in tomorrow's society.
- Every semester provide an opportunity for students to meet and study with practicing ministers on the field.
- Build practical outlets of ministry for students through Youth Corps, internships, and summer field work. Youth Corps challenges students to take the theory and materials of our academic program into the area surrounding the university. Internships and summer field work gives further hands-on opportunities that inform the student of specific ministry gifts as well as areas of weakness.
- The Youth and Family Education Lab is developing a wealth of valuable information for the youth and family minister. My colleague Dr. Jerry Bowling and I continue to research the thoughts, feelings, and actions of teens (especially in the churches of Christ) with a longitudinal study of the current generation. This work began active data collection in 2000 and will continue through the decade.
- Help students build relationships with God, other students, and with teens which will prepare them for service in a special and unique way.
- Expand the number of mentors available to the students from area ministers, church families, and faculty and staff within the university.
- Work with my colleague, Scott Adair, to provide specific resources and experiences in youth and family ministry and to remain fresh through continued voluteer involvement with teens and families at local congregations as well as participation in various ministry efforts as speakers and trainers.
Disclaimer:
The information contained herein is for the sole purpose of information and education. Dr. Daniel B. Stockstill and Harding University do not guarantee correctness of all information presented and are not liable for any reliance by the user on the information obtained through this Web site. However, every attempt is made to ensure the accuracy of the content. Please contact Dr. Stockstill if you find anything that is a concern.
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