Rev. Dr. Katherine M. Douglass will lead two sessions on Sept. 13 and 20. She is an Assistant Professor of Practical Theology and Educational Ministry at Seattle Pacific University, and the author of Creative in the Image of God: A Practical Theology of Young Adult Faith and Cultivating Teen Faith: Insights from The Confirmation Project. Her research focuses on Christian identity formation. Katie lives in Seattle with her husband, John, and three boys, George (8), Paul (6), and Will (4). She skis, rock climbs, paddle boards, and hikes in the wilderness – where she often encounters God.
Sept. 13: Following Jesus
The Confirmation Project studied over 3000 congregations to try to understand how churches were forming the next generation of disciples. Parents, mentors, and camp experiences were all of central importance. Together we will consider how research from The Confirmation Project can inform how each of us plays a role in encouraging discipleship in the next generation.
Sept. 20: Becoming like Jesus
According to educational theorist Jack Meizerow, adults experience transformative learning through “disorienting dilemmas.” In this session we will look at the role of disorientation in the Christian life, specifically related to the human tendency to stereotype others. This research comes from an ongoing study at Seattle Pacific University conducted with college students who were asked to attend a free community meal alongside their homeless neighbors. Eating with (rather than serving) this community was highly disorienting for students, and for many, led to deep theological insights that they are “human just like me.” In this session, we will consider the role of disorientation in our own faith lives and how God might be using these moments to help us to become more like Jesus.