Vocati research suggests that students participating in the program grow in character and moral thinking faster than the national norms of their peers. Vocati participants report significantly greater participation in spiritually formative habits because of the Vocati and show significant growth in 5 of 6 measurements for Spiritual Maturity. Vocati students also tend to have a more active view of God and use the Bible and theology to direct their actions. Preliminary research also shows a decrease in anxiety and depression.
Publications:
Smith, J. and Long, J., “Adolescent Christian Discernment: Utilizing Richard Osmer’s Approach to Practical Theology to Help Young People Ages 14-18 Develop A Missional Practice,” Journal of Youth and Theology, (2023): 1-25.
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., Smith, L., Long, J., and Long, J. “Reframing Faith in Young People – Insights from Vocati.” Oral presentation at the International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry in Copenhagen, Denmark.
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.