From May 7-10, 2012, hundreds of people will gather at Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., for Children, Youth and a New Kind of Christianity, a grassroots conference about the spiritual formation of young people within progressive, emerging, missional faith communities.
Dave Csinos, founder of the conference, believes that progressive, new movements within Christianity have much to offer young people but too often lack the resources they need to develop innovative ministries with them. He issued a call to those who are searching for a new kind of Christianity, inviting them to come together and generate new ideas and practices for new generations. Among those who accepted the invitation were Brian McLaren, John Westerhoff, Almeda Wright, Ivy Beckwith, Jeremiah Wright, Tony Campolo, Joyce Ann Mercer, Dori Baker, Shane Claiborne, and Jim, Joy, Luke and Jack Wallis.
“This event sets the bar high,” said Kenda Creasy Dean, professor at Princeton Theological Seminary and author of many books about youth ministry. “It’s got passion, purpose, and a lineup of theological luminaries who rarely share the same stage. What brings it all together is a shared core conviction: If we’re going to be the church Christ calls us to be, we’re going to need to take young people as seriously as Jesus does.”
“Folks within these progressive kinds of Christian movements are looking for ways to pass on faith to younger generations,” said Csinos, “and some of the people who are doing the most innovative work in children’s and youth ministry aren’t part of these movements. I wondered what would happen if we brought these two types of people together to spark ideas about nurturing an authentic, justice-oriented, joy-filled, inquisitive faith with young people.”
In addition to keynote presentations from Brian McLaren, Ivy Beckwith, Almeda Wright and John Westerhoff, attendees will take in panels, more than 20 additional presentations and engaging workshops from a host of presenters that cross denominational and geographical borders. Topics discussed will include cultivating young public theologians, teaching young people about violence in the Bible and the world, faith development in interfaith contexts, sexual variance and youth ministry, educating young people about social justice, innovative ideas for ministry and teaching peace to children.
“I’ve been saying again and again that we need a creative revolution in spiritual formation and Christian education for children and youth,” said keynote speaker Brian McLaren. “This is the gathering that I think will bring the right people together.”
Children, Youth and a New Kind of Christianity is presented by Emergent Village, Wood Lake Books, Virginia Theological Seminary and Calvary Baptist Church.
For more information or to register, visit the conference website.
