Forum on Youth Ministry
Behold: Being, Care, and Community
April 29 - May 1, 2027
Date & Time
- Thursday, Apr 29, 2027 - Saturday, May 1, 2027
- 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
2027 Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry
2027 Theme: Behold!
Our theme for the 2027 Forum, “Behold: Being, Care, and Community,” emerges from the recent work and learnings of the Foundations Project initiative, supported by Lilly Endowment Inc. As we listened to youth ministry leaders across the country, we repeatedly encountered a shared reality: the emerging needs of young people require more than new programs, events, or strategies. They require adults and communities capable of sustained attention, meaningful presence, and care. At the same time, many youth ministry leaders are navigating their own experiences of exhaustion, isolation, and the increasing demands of contemporary ministry. Our work therefore began by attending not only to how leaders engage young people, but also to the conditions that make faithful accompaniment possible.
Young people deserve communities where they can be seen in the fullness of who they are, known in relationship, and faithfully accompanied as they encounter God and make meaning of their lives. Our work continues to point toward a simple truth: Relationships are not the pathway to “real ministry.” Relationships are ministry. In a culture shaped by productivity and performance, the 2027 Forum invites us to recover faithful attention and move from Ministry FOR young people toward Ministry WITH young people.
And this begins with a simple practice: pay attention. To young people. To ourselves. To one another. To what God may already be doing. Join us as we explore ministry that resists constant productivity and recovers the practices of presence, care, and community.
What is the Forum on Youth Ministry?
The Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry is an annual gathering of people in the church, the academy, and the world who are committed to cultivating and caring for the Christian faith of young people. Designed around a theme that inspires the conversation and content each year, the Forum is a place where people of all demographic and denominational backgrounds come together to learn from and encourage one another. Less of a conference that teaches “how-to,” the Forum is a creative hub where people gather to ask “how come?”
Event Leadership
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John Swinton | Lecturer
John Swinton (he/him) is Professor in Practical Theology and Pastoral Care, and Chair in Divinity and Religious Studies, at the University of Aberdeen. Before entering academic theology, he worked for more than a decade as a registered mental health nurse and later as a hospital and community mental health chaplain, experiences that continue to shape his scholarship. In 2004, he founded the University of Aberdeen’s Centre for Spirituality, Health and Disability, an interdisciplinary centre exploring theology, health, disability, and human flourishing.
He has published widely on mental health, dementia, disability theology, spirituality and healthcare, end-of-life care, qualitative research, and pastoral care. His books include Finding Jesus in the Storm: The Spiritual Lives of People with Mental Health Challenges, winner of the Aldersgate Prize for outstanding interdisciplinary work in theology, and Dementia: Living in the Memories of God, which received the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Ramsey Prize for excellence in theological writing. His work brings theology into sustained conversation with lived human experience.
Alongside his academic work, John is a musician and songwriter. His recent album, Beautiful Songs About Difficult Things, explores vulnerability, meaning, and hope, themes that also run through his theological and pastoral work. He is married and has five children.
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Katherine Douglass | Lecturer
Katherine Douglass | Lecturer
Katherine M. Douglass (she/her) is an Associate Professor of Educational Ministry and Practical Theology at Seattle Pacific University. Her research focuses on Christian identity formation and she is the author of Creative in the Image of God: An Aesthetic Practical Theology of Young Adult Faith (2020) and Love Your Neighbor: How Psychology Can Enliven Faith and Transform Community (2026). Katie was the editor and a contributing author for Cultivating Teen Faith: Insights from the Confirmation Project (2018) with Richard Osmer as well as the editor and a contributing author for the forthcoming book, Seen and Known: Theological Foundations for Accompanying Youth (2027). When she isn’t in the classroom or meeting with her research team, Katie is busy raising her three boys in the mountains and waterways Pacific Northwest with her scientist husband, John.
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Reginald Blount | Lecturer
Reginald Blount | Lecturer
Reginald Blount (he/him) is the Murray H. Leiffer Associate Professor of Formation, Leadership and Culture and director of the Center for the Church and the Black Experience at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. He earned a BS in chemical engineering from Tuskegee University, an MDiv from Candler School of Theology at Emory University, and a PhD from the Garrett-Evangelical/Northwestern University joint program in religious and theological studies. He has served on the Garrett-Evangelical faculty since 1999 and teaches in the areas of Christian education, youth and young adult ministry, and congregational leadership. He brings a wealth of knowledge to his students in Christian Education, Youth and Young Adult Ministry, and congregational leadership. In addition to teaching, he plays a vital role as the Director of the Center for the Church and the Black Experience, and he is proud to be the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Oikos Institute for Social Impact.
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Brad Griffin | Workshop Leader
Brad Griffin | Workshop Leader
Brad M. Griffin (he/him) is the Senior Director of Content & Research for the Fuller Youth Institute, where he develops research-based resources for youth ministry leaders and families (see fulleryouthinstitute.org). A speaker, writer, and local pastor, Brad is the coauthor of over 15 books, including Faith Beyond Youth Group, 3 Big Questions that Change Every Teenager, Growing Young, and Sticky Faith. Originally from Kentucky, Brad now lives in Southern California with his wife and three teenage and young adult children. He is ordained in the Church of the Nazarene and serves on the pastoral team at Mountainside Communion.
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Khristi Adams | Workshop Leader
Khristi Adams | Workshop Leader
Khristi Lauren Adams (she/her) is a speaker, author, youth advocate and ordained Baptist minister. Khristi is the author of Womanish Theology: Discovering God Through the Lens of Black Girlhood, Parable of the Brown Girl, Unbossed: How Black Girls Are Leading the Way and its middle grade version Black Girls Unbossed: Young World Changers Leading the Way. The books are published by Broadleaf and Beaming Books. Parable of the Brown Girl has received awards for Best Young Adult Book from The African American Literary Awards and the New York Black Librarians Caucus. She recently published “Dear Younger Sister: Inspirational Devotions for Brown Girls” with Our Daily Bread Publishing. Khristi is the Executive Director of Community and Belonging for the St. Paul’s School’s, a family of independent schools in Baltimore County, MD. She previously worked as Dean of Spiritual Life & Equity and instructor of Religious Studies at the Hill School. Khristi is a graduate of Temple University with a degree in Advertising and a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary where she obtained a Master of Divinity degree. Khristi is also a 2024 Alumni Service Awardee for Princeton Seminary which highlights the outstanding efforts of alumni who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing the seminary’s mission and values.
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Marcus Hong | Workshop Leader
Marcus Hong | Workshop Leader
Marcus A. Hong (he/him) is a cultivator of worship who has served in congregations, chapels, and youth groups for twenty years. He’s also the Project Director for the Sun-Walking Fellowship at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, a Lilly Endowment Inc funded project that empowers congregations to strengthen ministry with young people through art. He currently serves as the Campus Ministry Coordinator for UKirk Louisville. His research explores art and human dignity in ministry, the Psalms in worship and education, and intergenerational and intercultural worship. He holds a BA in Religious Studies and Creative Writing from Alma College, and a MDiv/MACE and PhD from Princeton Seminary.
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Elizabeth Steel | Workshop Leader
Elizabeth Steel | Workshop Leader
Elizabeth Steel (she/her) is a Postdoctoral Fellow at Princeton Theological Seminary. She holds a PhD in Practical Theology (Education) from Princeton Theological Seminary, as well as a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Christian Education and Formation (PTS), and an undergraduate degree in History of Art (University of Virginia). Elizabeth researches the necessity of imagination in faith formation and the capacity of art to cultivate this imaginative vision to bring God’s kingdom come on earth. She is passionate about learning from art for all ages and hopes that heaven looks a lot like a museum gift shop.
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Phillip “Scott” Lee | Chaplain
Phillip “Scott” Lee | Chaplain
Phillip “Scott” Lee (he/him) is a seasoned chaplain, coach, and organizational strategist with over 20 years of experience across healthcare, nonprofit, and educational sectors. Known for his creative problem-solving and compassionate leadership, he has transformed programs and systems to support staff well-being and organizational health. As Staff Support Liaison and Chaplain, Scott revitalized an inactive chaplaincy program and co-developed a nationally recognized Staff Support Program. He currently leads a system-wide Peer Support Program serving over 15,000 employees and holds certifications in trauma-informed care and crisis intervention. Scott is the founder of Embrace Your Pivot, a coaching and speaking platform helping caregivers align their lives around self-care and purpose. He also hosts the Ashes and After podcast, featuring stories of overcoming burnout. He holds advanced degrees in education, theology, and management, and has received the Hope and Will Award for his contributions. Scott lives in Georgia with his wife, the Rev. Ruth Perkins Lee, and their two daughters.
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Allison Lee | Chaplain
Allison Lee | Chaplain
Allison Lee (she/her) is an ACPE Certified Educator Candidate who wholeheartedly believes in transformative learning and the provision of spiritual care that is empathetic, empowering, and equitable. She finds meaning in advocating for and companioning with others. Allison’s research interests are inclusive of trauma-informed theology, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and the role of hope in patients diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease. Allison serves as the outpatient chaplain for the Duke Neurology Clinic, specializing in journeying alongside those with Huntington’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease, and currently supports inpatient care within Duke University Hospital. Allison completed her Clinical Pastoral Education Residency at Duke and earned her Doctor of Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is a pastor, ordained and endorsed through the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and a Board Certified Chaplain through the Association of Professional Chaplains.
Offerings
The 2027 Princeton Lectures on Youth, Church, and Culture
Since the IYM’s first Forum in 1996, the Forum has featured this distinguished lecture series, designed to foster original scholarship pertaining to youth ministry in the church and world. This year, we are honored to welcome three lecturers for this series: Dr. Katherine Douglass, Rev. Dr. John Swinton, and Rev. Dr. Reggie Blount.
Workshops
A variety of workshops will be offered over the course of the Forum. Participants will not be pre-assigned to workshop tracks and are welcome to join whichever workshop group they would like for each session. More details about each workshop option will be available closer to the event.
Tickets
- Early Bird Registration – $325.00
Register early and save! Valid through January 8, 2027 | Includes all 3 full days of event - Standard Registration – $399.00
Valid January 9 – April 25, 2027 | Includes all 3 full days of event - Group Rate (3+ People) – $300.00 per person
Bring your youth leaders and volunteers! Groups of three or more receive a discounted full-event rate - Young Leader Pass (18-21) – $219.00
Your presence matters. Full three-day event access at a deeply discounted rate for young leaders ages 18–21 - Currently Enrolled Princeton Theological Seminary Student Pass – $20.00
Full three-day event access for currently enrolled PTS students, including meals
- “Back for Sunday” Pass (Thursday–Friday) – $250.00
Need to get back for Sunday morning? We’ve got you covered! Join us April 29–30, 2027, for two full days of workshops, lectures, learning, and meaningful connection before heading home in time for the weekend - “Training Day” Pass (Saturday) – $125.00
Busy during the week but committed to young people? Join us May 1, 2027, for a full day of learning and meaningful connection for youth leaders, parents, and volunteers who care about young people and their faith
Event Schedule
- 3:00 – 5:00 P.M. – Early Check-in | Erdman Center
- 8:30-10:00 A.M. – Event Check-in
- Refreshments Available
- 10:00-10:30 A.M. – Opening Gathering
- Refreshments Available
- 10:30 – 11:30 A.M. – Lecture
- 11:30 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. – Resource Sharing
- 12:00 – 1:30 P.M. – Lunch & Leisure
- 1:30 – 2:30 P.M. – Workshops Block I
- 2:30 – 3:15 P.M. – Break
- Refreshments Available
- 3:15 – 4:15 P.M. – Workshops Block II
- 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. – Dinner
- 7:00 – 7:30 P.M. – Evening Prayers
- 9:00- 10:00 A.M. – Lecture
- 10:00-10:30 A.M. – Break
- Refreshments Available
- 10:30 – 11:30 A.M. – Lecturers Panel Discussion
- 11:45 A.M. – 12:45 P.M. – Worship Service
- 12:45 – 2:00 P.M. – Lunch & Leisure
- 2:00 – 3:00 P.M. – Workshops Block III
- 3:00 – 4:00 P.M. – Happy Hour
- Mocktails & Refreshments Available
- 4:00 – 7:30 P.M. – Free Time
- Dinner on your own
- 7:30 – 9:00 P.M. – Game Night
- 8:45-9:15 A.M. – Morning Prayer
- 9:30-10:30 A.M. – Workshops Block I
- 10:30 – 11:00 A.M. – Break & Announcements
- Refreshments Available
- 11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. – Workshops Block II
- 12:00 – 1:30 P.M. – Lunch & Leisure
- 1:30 – 2:30 P.M. – Lecture
- 2:30 – 3:30 P.M. – “Where Do We Go From Here?” Closing Session
Event Location
The Forum on Youth Ministry is held on the campus of Princeton Theological Seminary in the beautiful and historic town of Princeton, New Jersey. Roughly equidistant from New York City and Philadelphia (and their associated airports), the town is home to cultural institutions like Princeton University, the Albert Einstein House, the Institute for Advanced Study, and the Princeton Battlefield. Participants at the Forum enjoy the leafy dining and retail spots along Nassau Street and Palmer Square, as well as scenic walks through the Seminary and University campuses.
Princeton Theological Seminary is located at 64 Mercer Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. Parking is available for Forum participants behind the Theodore Sedgwick Wright Library at 25 Library Place. Accessible parking spaces are situated along the northeast exterior wall of the library. Alternatively, participants who need accessible parking may park in the lot adjacent to the Mackay Campus Center off the College Road entrance to the Seminary campus. Parking passes will be emailed to participants who indicate their need for one in their event registration and will also be available at Forum check-in.
Please note that lodging is not included in your Forum registration fee. Please plan to make your own lodging arrangements. Feel free to contact the IYM if we can offer any assistance: 609-497-7914, iym@ptsem.edu.
Don’t miss the 2027 Forum on Youth Ministry
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We Honor the Land
Princeton Theological Seminary sits on the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Lenape people on territory called Lenapehoking. The Lenni-Lenape were the people indigenous to this land, and we honor them as caretakers of these lands and waters.
The IYM acknowledges our responsibility to work toward meaningful relationship with the Lenape people past, present, and future.
- What scholarships or discounts are available?
The IYM strives to make the Forum as accessible and affordable as possible, but we are keenly aware that some participants may still need financial assistance to attend. If you would like to speak with an IYM representative about your funding options, please contact us at iym@ptsem.edu or 609-497-7914. - What is your cancellation or refund policy?
We understand that life is unpredictable, and sometimes participants must cancel their plans to attend an event. Therefore, our policy states that you can cancel your event registration up to one week (seven calendar days) prior to the Forum start date, and your fee will be refunded, minus a required $15 processing fee. Due to expenses already incurred after this date, we cannot offer any refunds for cancellations made within one week (six or fewer calendar days) of an event start date. If you test positive for COVID-19 or develop a similarly contagious illness during the six days prior to the start of the Forum, please contact us at iym@ptsem.edu or 609-497-4914. We will do our best to determine a grace-filled response in order to protect the health and safety of our gathered and residential community, while also offering you the resourcing and care that is part of the Forum on Youth Ministry. - What is the financial model of the Forum on Youth Ministry?
The Forum is a self-funded event, which means that the income from participant fees is allocated to cover all event expenses. Currently, 69% of the income from participant fees is allocated toward the speaking fees, travel, expenses, and lodging for our event leaders. Refreshments, meals, and participant materials are provided during the event with 23% of the income from participant fees. The final 8% of the income helps fund our promotional efforts. We aim for excellence in leadership and hospitality, while also striving toward our commitment to the accessibility and affordability of our offerings. Balancing these values, our ambitious financial goal for the Forum is to break even. - Can you assist me in obtaining a visa so I can attend the Forum?
The IYM welcomes international participants to attend the Forum on Youth Ministry, but we regret that we cannot issue letters of invitation or make visa arrangements on your behalf. While this may be different from other offerings at Princeton Theological Seminary, the IYM does not currently have the capacity or permissions required to facilitate these requests, and we apologize for the inconvenience. - What accommodations are available for accessibility and dietary needs?
The IYM strives to create inclusive space that is hospitable to people of all health needs, dietary restrictions, neurotypes, and physical and mental abilities. Our registration form for the event contains places where you can provide details about any accommodation request or restriction so that we can best prepare to welcome you to campus. In addition, the event booklet you receive prior to and at the Forum will contain detailed accessibility information about every building and space we will use during the event. As an organization deeply committed to the welcome and celebration of people with all different bodies and brains, we are also aware of limitations in our facilities and personnel that may present obstacles for certain accommodations. If you have any concerns or would like to speak with someone regarding accessibility or needs beyond what you provide in your registration form, please contact us at iym@ptsem.edu or 609-497-7914 so that we can discuss how to best welcome you to the Forum. - Which meals are provided during the Forum? Which meals are my responsibility?
The Forum will provide a light refreshment break (pastry and fruit, with coffee or tea) each morning and afternoon of the event, as well as a buffet-style lunch each day of the event. On Thursday evening, the IYM will host a Backyard Barbeque dinner from 5-7pm, and as well as a non-alcoholic Happy Hour reception on Friday afternoon for fellowship and community. For the remaining meals or other refreshment needs, we will provide a list of local restaurants and food options at check-in, along with an array of price points. - Is there a dress code for the Forum, in part or whole?
No part of the Forum follows any particular dress code. Please make yourself comfortable in whatever presentation or style you please. We welcome jeans and t-shirts, skirts and blazers, 3-piece suits and bowties, sweatpants and baseball caps, and any combination therein. Be yourself and be comfortable. Weather-wise, Central New Jersey plays tricks on us every year during the Forum. Some years, it is cold and rainy; other years, it is perfect springtime sunny days. Check the forecast before you pack, and know that we have contingency plans in the event of inclement weather. - Is the Forum a welcoming place for LGBTQIA+ Christians?
With God’s help, we hope so. The IYM strives to create a safe and welcoming community for all people at the Forum, in addition to our other events and offerings. To facilitate this in a society where systems of oppression privilege those with dominant cultural identities (i.e. cisgender and straight), we prioritize the psychological and spiritual safety of members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The IYM holds to “open and affirming” theologies, and we are compelled by our shared theological conviction of the expansiveness of God’s embrace of creation in and through Jesus Christ. Grounded firmly in our convictions, the IYM has always welcomed people with a wide array of theological positions and perspectives to engage in our programs, events, and community. We have witnessed the miracle of friendship and connection across many lines of difference, and we believe that relationships can be sites of God’s transformative work in the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. All people who attend the Forum are expected to comply with the Seminary’s Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment policy and can avail themselves of its reporting mechanism. The free exchange of ideas inherent to educational contexts does not include ad hominem attack, abuse, bullying, discrimination, or harassment, and any participation in these activities will result in dismissal from the event, without reimbursement, at the discretion of the Director of the IYM. - Do you accept proposals for workshops or other content sessions?
The IYM tries to plan our events well in advance, and we currently have completed our planning for the 2027 and 2028 Forums on Youth Ministry. We are so grateful for your desire to share ideas with us, however, and we welcome conversations about your projects and passions. While we are not currently accepting proposals for leadership at the Forum, we invite you to connect with us to schedule a conversation about what you’re thinking and doing. Contact us at iym@ptsem.edu or 609-497-7914. - How can my organization support or sponsor the Forum on Youth Ministry?
We welcome conversations with organizations interested in supporting the Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry and our shared commitment to nurturing the spiritual lives of young people. Sponsorship helps make space for youth ministry leaders to learn, connect, and deepen their practices of care and accompaniment. If your organization is interested in exploring sponsorship opportunities, please contact us at iym@ptsem.edu.