Nazarene Theological Seminary

Dr. Catherine Stonehouse, a leader in Wesleyan Children’s Ministries, challenged more than 100 children’s pastors, denominational leaders, NTS students, and faculty to teach children the “Biblical story in its compelling unity” during the inaugural Miriam Hall Children’s Ministry lecture at Nazarene Theological Seminary on Tuesday, April 14, 2009.  The Miriam Hall lectureship is intended to engage visiting scholars and practitioners to promote significant children's ministry within congregations, encourage pastoral involvement in children's ministries, and resource persons with a call to full-time children's ministry. The series is named in honor and memory of Dr. Miriam J. Hall, the first Director of Children’s Ministries for the Church of the Nazarene.

Stonehouse’s lecture served as the opening event of a one-day emphasis addressing children in a time of change. Stonehouse, professor at Asbury Theological Seminary, based many of her observations on a recently completed ten-year study in which she engaged children through artistry and in-depth interviews.  Stonehouse presented several key assertions that undergird her approach to children’s ministry, including the importance that a sound theology of childhood should be grounded in the Wesleyan understanding of prevenient grace, a healthy home life, and early engagement with the biblical story to offset secular or materialistic cultural narratives. In the afternoon session, Stonehouse highlighted two examples of providing sound communities and narrative teaching of the Bible.  Dr. Dean G. Blevins, professor of Christian Education at Nazarene Theological Seminary, commented, “Today illustrates ways in which the seminary partners with national leadership to provide ongoing education in quality Children’s Ministry for the Church of the Nazarene.”  You can read more about Stonehouse’s presentations at www.nts.edu/Stonehouse.

Attendees of the lectures included members of the board of directors of the Nazarene Children’s Pastors Association (NCPA), curriculum editors and administrators for Nazarene Children’s Ministries, as well as local children’s pastors. NCPA Board Chair Andy Irvin, introduced Amy Hall, daughter of Miriam Hall, who commented that the inaugural lecture represented her mother’s life-long commitment to children’s ministry. Stone thanked the NCPA board, family, friends, and NTS for providing an event that continues her mother’s legacy.  

Dr. Catherine Stonehouse serves as Dean of the School of Practical Theology and the Orlean Bullard Beeson Professor of Christian Discipleship at Asbury Theological Seminary. An acknowledged leader in Wesleyan Children's ministry, she has taught in Asia, Africa, Haiti, Britain, and Eastern Europe as well as presented professional seminars and research presentations. Stonehouse has also given volunteer leadership in the local church, most recently as a member of the children’s worship team. Since 1998, Dr. Stonehouse has been engaged in research with children, listening to them and seeking to understand how they experience God. Her writing focuses on the spirituality of children and how parents and other caring adults can join them on the spiritual journey, learn from them, and guide them. A new text, Listening to Children: Discovering their Heart for God (forthcoming) summarizes her recent research. Her other publications include Children Matter: Celebrating their Place in the Church, Family and Community (Eerdmans 2005), and Joining Children on the Spiritual Journey: Nurturing a Life of Faith (Baker 1998), which earned the Choice Outstanding Academic Book Award.  

To learn more about lectures and learning opportunities at Nazarene Theological Seminary, log on to www.nts.edu/center-for-lifelong-learning or contact us at 800.831.3011 or enroll@nts.edu.