Holly Catterton Allen - Forming Resilient Children: The Role of Spiritual Formation for Healthy Development

My people, hear my teaching;

listen to the words of my mouth.

I will open my mouth with a parable;

I will utter hidden things, things from of old

things we have heard and known,

things our ancestors have told us.

We will not hide them from their descendants;

we will tell the next generation

the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,

his power, and the wonders he has done.

He decreed statutes for Jacob

and established the law in Israel,

which he commanded our ancestors

to teach their children,

so the next generation would know them,

even the children yet to be born,

and they in turn would tell their children.

Then they would put their trust in God

and would not forget his deeds

but would keep his commands.

AS THE GLOBAL CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC has reminded us, our lives are subject to much uncertainty and stress. We know there is a need to form resilient children, but how can that be done? In this book, Dr. Holly Catterton Allen provides great wisdom and assistance, which comes from her lifelong journey of ministering with children and studying what is best for them. She highlights the importance of the spiritual nurture of children in the forming of resilience.

Dr. Allen began ministering with children at the age of eleven, when her church allowed her to teach a small group of kindergarten children in vacation Bible school. She loved it, and when she entered college several years later, she majored in education. That was followed by a masters degree in educational psychology. She was also active in ministry with children based on her understanding of childhood education.

In the early 1990s the Allen family became a part of an intergenerational small group. Dr. Allen saw children and adults interacting and ministering to one another in meaningful ways. Intergenerational relationships seemed to provide significant spiritual nurturing for both children and adults. This convinced her there was more to Christian education than cognitive knowledge.

In 1999 Dr. Allen began PhD studies. Her ultimate purpose was to discover what made the difference she had seen in the children, youth, and adults in her intergenerational small group, a difference she had not seen in other settings.

In the 1990s, there was an increase in the number of persons studying and writing about the spirituality of children and how they could be nurtured in that spirituality. These resources were available to the PhD students at that time, and valuable studies are continuing to give new insights.

One of the strengths of this book is the rich literature review and theories related to the forming of resilient children. The theoretical insights come from research by Christians and from the social sciences. And the insights are presented in ways that can be grasped by parents, grandparents, and those who minister with children in the church.

Dr. Allens theoretical descriptions are understandable as she shares examples from real-life experiences, and she also provides examples of how to apply the theories.

The book is written for a wide range of persons: parents, grandparents, persons leading ministries with children and families in the church, counselors, and those who work in settings where overt spiritual conversations are not allowed. It is a valuable resource for those who desire to raise resilient children to know God and live well in our changing world.

I WILL FIRST ACKNOWLEDGE the support I have received from Lipscomb University. I came to Lipscomb a few years ago with a contract in hand from InterVarsity Press for this book. I am deeply appreciative of Lipscombs gracious offer of a course release each semester for two years to complete this manuscript.

I wish to thank the women with whom I meet and pray on Tuesday evenings: Linda Blanks, Linda Bridgesmith, Mary Hemminger, Rebecca Lavender, and Kathy Musick. We share Gods work in us, the work God is calling us to do, the challenges God allows in our lives, and our concerns for our children and our grandchildren, and we encourage each other to go further up and further in.

A small writers group at Lipscomb has walked with me during the last season of writing this book; this group includes Donita Brown, Tessa Sanders, Leanne Smith, and Denis Thomas. It is always a rich blessing to listen and learn with fellow writers.

Al Hsu with IVP has been an excellent editor; he has offered insightful suggestions to hone, illustrate, and clarify key points in the book.

Thank you to my friends and childrens spirituality colleagues Dana Kennamer, Mimi Larson, Trevecca Okholm, and Robin Turner; they took time from their busy lives to share their favorite childrens books that nurture children spiritually (see ).

And a big shout-out to my colleague Jason Brian Santos, whose editing skills helped make (the definitional chapters) less formal and more inviting.

Special thanks to the managers and staff at Panera Bread on Old Hickory Boulevard in Brentwood, Tennessee. For the two years (prior to Covid-19) while I composed basic sections of the manuscript and ate broccoli cheddar soup and Caesar salad, these men and women were consistently warm, welcoming, and thoughtful.