spirituality for all ages - holly allen promotes intergenerational spirituality through two national conferences
may 10, 2021
since 2016, lipscomb’s institute of christian spirituality within the hazelip school of theology, has served as the host for two alternating academic conferences designed to promote an intergenerational approach and research-based foundation to worship, ministry and spiritual development.
in 2021, the children’s spirituality summit (css) and the pioneering intergenerate conference, are combined into one virtual conference held may 24-26, with keynote speakers live streamed from the lipscomb campus.
these two conferences, both chaired by holly catterton allen, professor of family science and christian ministry, draw up to 500 participants combined from about 32 states and seven international locations and represent more than 15 christian faith traditions. both academicians and practitioners from churches, schools and faith-based organizations attend these conferences to discuss ways to apply current research and fresh theological insights to their daily missions.
the intergenerate conference explores how to become more intentionally intergenerational in outlook and practice.
allen, author of the 2012 book intergenerational christian formation: bringing the whole church together in ministry, community and worship (intervarsity press), argues that intergenerational ministry nurtures spiritual formation in all ages. while age-segregated activities are also valuable for spiritual formation, the pendulum has swung too far toward age-specific approaches in churches, she said.
“we believe that intergenerational experiences uniquely and especially nurture spiritual formation across all ages,” said allen, referring to the intergenerate task force, an organization she founded and currently chairs.
papers and presentations at the intergenerate conference explore support for intergenerational ministry from biblical, theological, empirical and sociological foundations, while also providing best practices for how to carry out intergenerational bible study, worship, story-sharing, service and missions, and other forms of ministry.
the academic proceedings of the 2017 intergenerate conference were published by abilene christian university press as intergenerate: transforming churches through intergenerational ministry, and the proceedings of the 2019 conference will be published in the book, engage all generations: a strategic toolkit for creating intergenerational faith communities (acu press, 2021).
the children’s spirituality summit focuses on how to better nurture children’s spiritual development by connecting child development, sociological and psychological research with biblical and theological understandings.
the css coordinating board, also chaired by allen, is also committed to holding a research-based event that provides plenty of guidance as well on how to apply that research in real-world settings.
academic paper presentations at css typically share current research, unpack biblical and theological insights, and address current issues connected with children’s spiritual formation. workshops explore fresh avenues for nurturing children spiritually through, for example, centering prayer, labyrinth walking, leaning into stillness, quietness and wonder, and connecting the biblical metanarrative to children’s spiritual growth and development.
“we define children’s spirituality as a child’s relationship with god and how that interacts with their relationship with self and others, drawn from the first and second great commandments. we work to show how all three relationships are inter-related,” allen said.
proceedings from the 2016 css, story, formation, and culture: from theory to practice in ministry with children, have been published by wipf & stock/pickwick and proceedings from the 2018 css, bridging theory and practice in children’s spirituality, have been published by zondervan (2020).
allen has more than 25 years’ experience in educational psychology, intergenerational christian formation, and children’s and family studies. before coming to lipscomb, allen was director of the child and family studies program and professor of christian ministries at john brown university in siloam springs, ark.
allen has published articles in such journals as christian education journal, lutheran education, lifelong faith, christian scholar’s review, and christianity today, and has written chapters in more than 20 books.
those interested in participating in the children’s spirituality summit or the intergenerate conference can find information at childrensspiritualitysummit.org or intergenerateconference.com.
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