"Joy in the Aftermath of Violence"
The Rev. Dr. Baker and Dr. Reyes deliver a lecture entitled, “Joy in the Aftermath of Violence.” Like the writers of Lamentations and Psalms, adolescents cry out to God and to the leaders of the community to deliver them from interpersonal and structural violence. Using an interdisciplinary framework to understand how violence affects youth psycho-spiritually, we offer practices that promote flourishing for youth pastors, community workers, and youth themselves.
"ReVisoning Teen Sexuality or Addressing Sexuality: Relational Joy and Embodied Flourishing"
Dr. Ott and Ms. Carter deliver a lecture entitled, “ReVisioning Teen Sexuality or Addressing Sexuality: Relational Joy and Embodied Flourishing.” Sexuality and relationships are a major aspect of teen development. Instead of embracing the joy that healthy, holistic and ethically and developmentally appropriate sexuality can manifest in our lives, many youth ministry programs treat any expression of sexuality as a risk to be suppressed. Together, we address why and how to integrate sexuality education throughout the faith formation experiences of teens.
Nurturing Joy: Supporting the Emotional Lives of Adolescents"
Dr. Reilly, Dr. Farmer & Ms. Hyde deliver a lecture entitled, “Nurturing Joy: Supporting the Emotional Lives of Adolescents.” Youth ministers are critical sources of early identification and support for adolescents dealing with mental illness. Participants learn about adolescent anxiety, depression, and suicidality along with concrete ways that a theological community might offer assistance.
"Forging Fearless Communities: Seeing and Hearing to Overcome Fear"
The Rev. Dr. Ellison and Georgette Ledgister deliver a lecture entitled, “Forging Fearless Communities: Seeing and Hearing to Overcome Fear.” Fear undercuts one’s ability to fully experience or express joy by muting and rendering one invisible. This session explores the four fundamental fears that inform generational divides and acts of exclusion. Participants learn strategies to see every member of our communities of faith as whole persons.
"Incubators for Joy"
Dr. Clark and Dr. Ketcham deliver a lecture entitled, “Incubators for Joy.” God created us to flourish. Yet family instability can rob many young people of joy-filled lives when unattended painful experiences give rise to sorrow-filled lives. We explain how family instability disrupts adolescent joy and empower youth ministers to care for hurting teenagers by creating communities that act as “incubators” for the joy God intends.
