Conventional wisdom and antiquated stage development theories have had a negative effect on children's spirituality. This paper looks at an innovative spiritual practice (embodied prayer) that instead promotes children's agency and embodied engagement in multi-layered meaning making. It traces both the ways in which children respond to higher…

This paper explores the challenges of cultivating ecological engagement in the context of congregations and describes pedagogical strategies for cultivating transformational approaches to care for the Earth. Working with data from clergy taking part in an online program for education and support on climate and environmental issues, we imagine what…

The ecological crisis threatens to overwhelm people to the point of inaction. This disconnection requires a spirituality of interdependence that motivates social change for the long term. Through theological reflection, ethical analysis, and an example of community practices, this paper shows how a rule of life focused on eucharistic eating…

Practices and strategies for sustaining resilient spiritual leadership are critical in this time of climate crisis. Learnings from participants in the Seminary of the Wild eco-ministry certification program offer guidance for engaging in practices of education and formation that can help people of faith meet the challenges of these times and…

Describing the work of a director of the department of religious education of a national church, this article attempts to show how the work is multi-faceted and intense, meeting the many needs of parishes and their religious education programs. The essay also offers a reflection on the lessons learned from nearly fifteen years in this position.

Faith-based colleges and universities in America have historically been described as "church-related." Unfortunately, this classification is too one-dimensional, revealing virtually nothing about how faith-based identity influences the mission, rhetoric, curriculum, or policies of institutions. Although scholars have advanced…

This study examines the role of religious education in fostering commitments to the health and responsibility of the entire Earth organism, especially in the context of inhabiting a damaged land. It delves into the concept of sympoiesis and the Korean concept of yeomul as a life attitude to respond to Earth's suffering. This research advocates for…

This paper takes up concepts from John Henry Newman's work to support contemporary educational personalism. Newman's ideas are developed in light of his sharp critique of the pragmatic educational model. This essay focuses on the transcendence assigned to the theological and philosophical foundations of Newman's pedagogical ideas, as well as on…

This paper addresses the urgent reality of the environmental crisis, underscoring its irreversible nature and the critical need for transformative action. It explores the complex intersections of capitalism, consumer culture, and climate justice, highlighting the profound societal challenges these forces create. Through case studies of two…

Some studies show that digital games and board games can be used to facilitate religious learning in Christian settings. Would game-based learning be a viable option for educating Christians on environmental stewardship in a congregational church environment? This paper analyzes a sample of commercially available ecological digital games and board…

This study explored the spiritual needs of Christian families by surveying and holding focus groups with parents and congregational leaders. We discovered a disconnect between what congregational leaders think is happening with families and the lived experience of families. Congregational leaders often perceive the lack of church engagement from…

The blame appended to anthropocentric leanings of traditional Christian thought for our ecological woes challenged me to do a reality check of our context and religious education's offering for an ailing world. I begin by looking at our ecological crises in the Philippines and searching for glimmers of hope from young Filipino environmental…

Children and adolescents need a vision of hope and success that will motivate them to take action. This discussion describes some ways of pondering the mandate in the Bible to care for the earth and for each other.

A growing number of new faith communities in North America are emerging as part of the Wild Church Network. These outdoor church expressions seek to re-acquaint, re-cover, and re-member their faith communities as loving participants of the larger community of Creation. This paper explores theological foundations and spiritual practices grounding…

Scripture encourages parents to pass on faith to children, and a multitude of studies show that the biggest predictor of the faith of kids is the faith of their parents. However, raising kids in faith is more complicated and nuanced than simple "parent to child" religious transmission. In this paper, animal family models are used to…