We are grateful to share the cumulative data from Vocati suggests students who participate in the program advance in character and moral development above the national norms. Vocati scholars report significantly greater participation in spiritually formative habits because of the Vocati Institute experience. Research on program outcomes is ongoing. We are grateful for the families and students who participate in the research aspect of the program. Doing so allows us to share what we are learning with youth ministry programs worldwide.
Publications:
Long, J. & Smith, J. (2021). Impact of a Youth Theology Institute on Adolescent Moral Development and Spiritual Development. Journal of Youth Ministry, Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 53 – 94.
Presentations:
Smith, J. & Long, J. “An Ecclesiology of Adolescent Spiritual Discernment: Utilizing Richard Osmer’s Approach to Practical Theology to Help High School Students Develop a Missional Practice for Lubbock Christian University’s Vocati Program.” Research Paper. Virtual Presentation, International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry, January 2022.
Smith, J. & Long, J. “An Ecclesiology of Adolescent Spiritual Discernment: Utilizing Richard Osmer’s Approach to Practical Theology to Help High School Students Develop a Missional Practice for Lubbock Christian University’s Vocati Program.” Virtual Presentation of Invited Paper, Princeton Theological Seminary, April 2021.
Long, J.D., Bonner, S., Cimino, H., Guinn, A. & Brown, L. “Impact of a Youth Theological Institute on Moral Development: Findings from Vocati Cohort 2. Oral presentation. Sigma Theta Tau International, Research Congress, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, July 25-29, 2019.
Long, J. D., Bonner, S., Silva, S., & Cimino, H. “Adolescent Moral Development: Effectiveness of Engaging Youth in the Critical Appraisal of Theological Content.” Oral presentation, Sigma Theta Tau International, Research Congress, Melbourne, Australia, July 18-23, 2018.