Page 8 - 2021 SPCE Program Final Final Final

Breakout Presentations I (Fri. 8:40-9:40 AM)

Salon A – Jim Estep – Central Christian College of the Bible
A Biblical Rationale for Faith-Learning Integration
By its very nature Christian education is a product of faith-learning integration. However, the integrative process is
frequently challenged by non-integrationists, often on the basis of Scriptural authority or their rendering of Sola
Scriptura. This paper will present a biblical rationale for faith-learning integration, demonstrating that the Bible
itself affirms faith-learning integration and is part of the Biblical narrative, affirming the integrative approach to
Christian Education. If Scripture itself affirms the integrative process, then the practice of integration in forming a
theory of Christian education is plausible and not contradictory of Scriptural authority or Sola Scriptura.

Salon B – Holly Allen - Libscomb University
Adversity, Children’s Spirituality, and Resilience
This presentation builds a bridge between recent resilience studies and children’s spirituality. Over the past several
decades, resilience researchers have discerned multiple factors that can contribute to resilience in children, and
scholars have recently begun exploring spirituality as one of those factors. Formerly, resilience research focused
primarily on how to cultivate resilience in children who had survived such traumas as extreme poverty, population-
wide disasters, or abuse, but now recognizes that all children need a resilient mindset. The presentation also
describes a variety of practices that churches, children’s ministers, and parents can employ to nurture resilience in
children in any circumstance.
Salon C – Alex Sosler - Montreat College
Beyond Faith Integration: Learning as Gift
In the prevailing model of faith integration, the goal is often to take the subject of faith and mix it with the secular
object of study. There’s Christian faith on the one hand and human knowledge on the other. The goal is to provide
links across the two. However, in this presentation, borrowing from Augustinian categories, I argue that all things
shine with light and participate with God. The goal for the educator is not to manufacture links between faith and
human knowledge but to have eyes to see the splendor within a given discipline or object of study.
Salon D – Barry Gibson – Boyce College

The Church and Emerging Adults: Identifying and Implementing Ecclesiological Best Practices to
Reclaim Young Adults
Emerging adults face critical, life-changing decisions and development. The church provides exposure to
socialization structures, navigation of difficult decisions, opportunities for spiritual growth, and abundant wisdom.
There exists a litany of research regarding the church’s capacity to foster direction and commitment for these
young adults. However, there is a lack of literature concerning the efficaciousness of proposed directions and
solutions regarding emerging adults and the church. This presentation reveals findings from churches that are
effectively connecting with, retaining, and developing emerging adults while also proposing practical insights,
specific strategies, and organizational structures for replication.
Salon H – Dave Rahn – Ministry Research Consultant

Can a Simple Backbone Habit Re-Align Relationships?
Within a ten-week window in late spring/early summer 2021, 24 youth ministry thought leaders – including 12
professors – accepted the invitation to pilot test the perceived value of sharing a brief time together with an
explicit Jesus-centered focus. They subsequently joined the host-investigator and a third person in four different
30-minute Zoom meetings. The substantial positive feedback by participants is explored to better understand,
sanction and encourage innovative practices that re-norms otherwise formal relationships – like those in the
classroom or among professional colleagues – around the dynamic companionship of Jesus Christ.

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