The Adolescent Faith and Flourishing Program seeks to advance authentic human flourishing among youth by drawing on the theological insights developed by the Center’s God and Human Flourishing Program to enhance and support transformative Christian youth ministries.
By gathering together religious, academic, and youth ministry leaders, the Adolescent Faith and Flourishing Program will contribute to the application of a revised definition of human flourishing to adolescent life.
The Adolescent Faith and Flourishing Program is a partnership between scholars at Yale University and practitioners at the Congregational Church of New Canaan. It was developed by Skip Masback, CCNC Senior Minister and Director of AFFP; Miroslav Volf , Director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture; and Yale Divinity School Dean Harry Attridge.
The young are arguably both the segment of our population whose flourishing is most subverted by our culture’s obsession with maximizing experientially satisfying living and the segment of our population most open to embracing a revised account of human flourishing as they grow into their own responsibilities as citizens, parents and leaders.
At the same time as we seek to meet the needs of our youth, youth culture is an important indicator of future cultural trends, and studying that culture can contribute significantly to the endeavor of formulating adequate accounts of human flourishing for all ages. Consequently, the AFFP will not only draw on GHF research, but also contribute to it, towards the ultimate goal of advancing authentic human flourishing among youth by enhancing and supporting transformative Christian youth ministries.
As part of this mission, the AFFP is contributing to the development of the Spring 2012 Berkeley Divinity School colloquium, a semester on youth ministry. This colloquium will feature plenary lecture sessions by leading youth ministry scholars, and the opportunity for deep engagement with thriving youth ministries through directed small-group discussions and case studies.
This colloquium is open to all Yale Divinity School students, and attendance at luncheon lecture sessions will be open to local clergy, youth ministry lay staff and volunteers. For information, please contact Kelly Morrissey at kelly@godsacre.org or via phone at 203.966.2651 ext. 22.