Publications from the Center

New Directions for Youth Development: Spiritual Development, edited by Peter L. Benson, Eugene C. Roehlkepartain, and Kathryn L. Hong.

Many questions of identity and purpose are also, at their core, questions of spiritual development. Drawing on the global research of the Center for Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence, this volume frames a new, deeper dialogue about the intersections between positive youth development and spiritual development. Its contributors explore ways to integrate spiritual development and youth development to strengthen theory, research, and practice.

Published in 2008 by Wiley/Jossey-Bass.

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The Handbook of Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence, edited by Eugene C. Roehlkepartain, Pamela E. King, Linda M. Wagener, and Peter L. Benson.
More than 75 scholars examine the current state of scientific theory and research on spiritual development, addressing its definition, relation to other domains of development, ecological contexts, outcomes, and implications for the future in research and practice. Published in 2006 by Sage.
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Nurturing Child and Adolescent Spirituality: Perspectives from the World’s Religious Traditions, edited by Karen Marie Yust, Aostre N. Johnson, Sandy E. Sasso, and Eugene C. Roehlkepartain.
More than 40 religious scholars examine how the spiritual lives of children and youth are understood and nurtured in the world’s religious traditions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. Published in 2006 by Rowman & Littlefield.
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Schools with Spirit: Nurturing the Inner Lives of Children and Teachers, edited by Linda Lantieri

Is it possible to nurture our spiritual lives in a school setting without violating the beliefs of families or the separation of church and state? Yes, say the 14 contributors to this inspiring collection of essays from educators who are thoughtfully working on this question.

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Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers, by Christian Smith with Melinda Lundquist Denton

The authors report on research conducted over a seven-year period by the National Study of Youth and Religion, including findings that the "spiritual but not religious" affiliation thought to be widespread among young adults is actually rare among Americans under 18, and that the greatest influence shaping teens' religious beliefs is their parents.

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Embracing Parents
How Your Congregation Can Strengthen Families
by Jolene and Eugene Roehlkepartain

A poll of 1,005 parents in the United States, which was released in November 2002 by Search Institute and the YMCA of the USA, found five key findings:

• Most parents surveyed are going it alone.
• Many parents interviewed lack a strong relationship with a spouse or partner.
• A majority of parents surveyed feel successful as parents most of the time.
• Most parents polled face ongoing challenges.
• Many things these parents say would help them as parents are easy things others can do.
 
Embracing Parents challenges pastors and other church leaders to expand their vision, to become proactive in meeting the needs of families, and to provide a key place where parents and their children can grow.

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