Story, Formation, and Culture : From Theory to Practice in Ministry With Children

Story, Formation, and Culture brings together a myriad of scholars, researchers, and ministry leaders into conversation about how we can effectively nurture the spirituality of children. Built around the three themes of story, formation, and culture, this volume blends cutting-edge research and insights with attention to how we can bring theory into practice in our ministries with children. The work of children’s spiritual formation is often a marginalized component in the church’s overall ministry. This volume seeks to equip pastors, leaders, and scholars with cutting-edge research and practices that effectively strengthen their ministries with children.

Ben Espinoza (MA, Asbury Theological Seminary) serves as College Pastor at Faith Church in Lansing, Michigan. He is currently a PhD Candidate at Michigan State University. A fellow with the Center for Pastor Theologians, Ben serves as the Senior Associate Editor of The Journal of Youth Ministry.

Holly Catterton Allen (PhD, Talbot School of Theology) is professor of family science and Christian ministries at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she holds a joint appointment in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Bible and Ministry. Dr. Allen teaches undergraduate courses such as Nurturing Spiritual Development in Children and Family Ministry, and has previously taught at John Brown University, Biola University, and Abilene Christian University. Dr. Allen's areas of scholarly interest are children's spirituality and intergenerational issues. Her newest book is InterGenerate: Transforming Churches through Intergenerational Ministry. She is the coauthor (with Christine Ross) of Intergenerational Christian Formation: Bringing the Whole Church Together in Ministry, Community, and Worship, and the editor of Nurturing Children's Spirituality: Christian Perspectives and Best Practices (Cascade, 2008). She leads two international, ecumenical conferences, the Children's Spirituality Summit and the InterGenerate, which currently meet in alternating years at Lipscomb University in Nashville. She has published articles in Christian Education Journal, Lutheran Education, Lifelong Faith, Christian Scholar's Review, and Christianity Today, along with chapters in several books. Allen is married to Dr. Leonard Allen, and they have three adult children, as well as four grandchildren.