I love being part of the prayerful, hopeful learning community of St Mellitus College. I love investing in our youth ministry students and those involved in other forms of non-ordained mission and ministry in the church and for the world.
Dr Mark Scanlan is Tutor in Theology and Youth Ministry and Lead Undergraduate Tutor at St Mellitus College. He holds a PhD in Theology from Durham University and an MA in Youth Ministry from Kings College London. Mark's particular research interests revolve around the role that youth ministry can play in shaping the life of the church and also how the theological expression young people can be encouraged and harnessed. He is an active member of the IASYM (International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry) and regularly presents on his research at their European and International Conferences. Prior to working at St Mellitus Mark was involved in both local church and parachurch youth ministry for nearly twenty years, including a number of years leading the youth ministry and youth centre team at Stopsley Baptist Church in Luton where he also served as an Elder for eleven years. Mark still lives in Luton with his wife, Linda, and their two children. He is a keen cricket fan and captains a team in the nearby village of Lilley.
Publications
Books:
- An Interweaving Ecclesiology: The Chruch, Mission and Young People (SCM Press, 2021)
Journal Articles:
- Interruptions and Co-constructions: Towards a Theology of Equal Opportunity for Mission and Ministry to Young People in Anvil, A Journal of Theology and Mission
- Youth Ministry Creating Ecclesial Space in the Journal of Youth and Theology (2015)
Book Reviews:
- Making Jesus Attractive: The Ministry and Message of Young Life by Gretchen Schoon Tanis, (Journal of Youth and Theology, Vol 15, Issue 2)
- Youth Ministry and Theological Shorthand by David Bailey, (Journal of Youth and Theology, Vol 19, Issue 10)
Education
- PhD in Theology from Durham University in 2017 with a thesis titled 'Urban Saints: An Interweaving Ecclesiology as a Contribution to the Fresh Expressions Debate'
- MA in Youth Ministry from Kings College London in 2011
Modules Taught
- Youth Ministry Foundations
- Youth Ministry in Context
- Youth Ministry Research and Reflection
- Youth Ministry and Communication
- Youth Ministry Leadership, Theology and Practice
- Developing Mission and Ministry in Context
- Mission and Apologetics in Contemporary Culture
- MA Research & Reflection: Resources & Methods.
Research Projects
In 2020 Mark collaborated with the Youthscape Centre for Research in a project exploring the role and place of theological reflection among both paid and volunteer youth workers. The research was funded by a Common Awards Seedcorn Grant and the research report is available via https://www.youthscape.co.uk/research/theological-reflection.