Kickstarter

Adolescence is growing in length at an alarming rate, extending well into the 20s, and sometimes 30s.  In the last decade, a plethora of research, postulation, theory and opinion on this subject has been popping up.  Some are staking claims and carving out marketing niches. Others are scratching their heads and wondering what it all means.  

As we have read about this, dug into the issues, and watched how the church is responding (or not responding), we have noticed two different schools of thought and practice.  On one side is the majority, those are – assuming they are aware of these issues – are quick to label it a new developmental life stage (“emerging adulthood”), and are moving quickly to create ministries and resources.  On the other side, a smaller minority is saying, “Hold on; this is not good and doesn’t have to be this way.”

Fascinated by this unfolding tension, we at The Youth Cartel started dreaming about how amazing it would be to do something no one else has done (in church world or academic world or any context): bring together a couple leading voices who would disagree with each other on these issues, along with a smart and informed moderator from the world of youth ministry, and host a dialogue. After the event, we'd then follow it up by producing an ebook to share our combined learnings with the greater youth ministry and adolescent faith development communities. 

We dreamed up our A-list, and went out on a limb, inviting them to join us.  Somewhat to our amazement, they all said they would love to be a part of this groundbreaking day.

Join us for 7 hours with two leading experts, from opposite sides of the aisle.  This event will feature a wide variety of approaches, including presentations, Q&A, debate, and moderated discussion.  We’ll meet on Monday, November 21 2011, in downtown Atlanta. We’ve chosen this date specifically on the heels of the Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention (with their blessing), in the hope that we can make it more accessible to some of you who may be attending the NYWC already. 

Presenters

Dr. Jeffrey Jensen Arnett received his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, and did three years of postdoctoral work at the University of Chicago. From 1992-1998 he was Associate Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Missouri. He has been a Visiting Scholar at Stanford University and the University of Maryland.

Dr. Arnett's primary scholarly interest is in "emerging adulthood," the age period from the late teens to the mid-twenties (mainly ages 18-25). For over a decade he has conducted research on emerging adults concerning a wide variety of topics, involving several different ethnic groups in the United States. He also studied emerging adults in Denmark as a Fulbright Scholar in 2005.

Dr. Arnett is the author of Emerging Adulthood: The Winding Road from the Late Teens Through the Twenties, published in 2004 by Oxford University Press. He has also edited a book on emerging adulthood (with Jennifer Tanner), Emerging Adults in America: Coming of Age in the 21st Century (2006, APA Books).

Dr. Robert Epstein is an author, editor, and longtime psychology researcher and professor—a distinguished scientist who is passionate about educating the public about advances in mental health and the behavioral sciences. The former editor-in-chief of Psychology Today, Dr. Epstein is currently a contributing editor for Scientific American Mind and an occasional lecturer at the Rady School of Management at the University of California San Diego. He is also the founder and Director Emeritus of the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies in Massachusetts.

Through 2003, he served as University Research Professor at the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. He received his Ph.D. in psychology in 1981 from Harvard University.

Epstein's 15 books include Teen 2.0: Saving Our Children and Families from the Torment of Adolescence, and the forthcoming Finding the Inner Adult in Your Teen: A Guide for Parents.

Moderator

Dr. Kara E. Powell is the Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI) and a faculty member at Fuller Theological Seminary. She completed her Ph.D. in Practical Theology from Fuller Seminary with a focus on Pastoral Role Expectations in 2000, an M.Div. from Bethel Theological Seminary in 1994, and a BA degree with Honors from Stanford University in 1991. In addition to her roles at Fuller Seminary, Kara currently volunteers in student ministries at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena. She is the author or co-author of a number of books and curriculum guides, including Sticky Faith (2011), Essential Leadership (2010), Deep Justice Journeys (2009), Deep Justice in a Broken World(2008), Deep Ministry in a Shallow World (2006), and many more.

Tentative Schedule

·      8:00 – welcome, opening comments from Kara Powell

·      8:45 – 9:30 – presentation by Robert Epstein

·      9:30 – 10:00 – Q&A with Robert Epstein

·      10:45 – 11:30 – presentation by Jeffrey Arnett

·      11:30 – 11:45 – Q&A with Jeffrey Arnett

·      11:45 – 1:15 -- lunch break (on your own)

·      1:15 – 2:45 – moderated debate/panel/dialogue, hosted by Kara Powell, with Epstein & Arnett

·      2:45 -- 3:30 – closing comments and contextualization, with audience dialogue, hosted by Kara Powell

·      3:30 -- end

Why We’re on Kickstarter

We can’t afford to do this event on our own.  The costs of flying in speakers, paying honorariums and other costs – it’s just too much for our tiny organization.  And, quite frankly, we think Kickstarter is totally cool. 

We’re hoping you’ll partner with us to see this event happen, whether you’re going to come to the event or not.  We really need you, or this thing was just a fun idea.  Check out the variety of offers in the right column – we’ve tried to come up with some premiums that are cool (and, for some of them, valuable).

We think our actual hard costs will be somewhere close to $10,000.  But if we can raise $6000 through Kickstarter, with the help of our visionary friends who understand why this is a groundbreaking event, we’ll feel confident about moving forward.