Biography
Kenda Creasy Dean is an ordained United Methodist minister and the Mary D. Synnott Professor of Youth, Church and Culture at Princeton Theological Seminary, where she works closely with the Institute for Youth Ministry and the Farminary. She has directed numerous grants on youth and young adult ministry and spiritual entrepreneurship at the seminary, and currently serves as the faculty senior strategist and creative director for the Polaris Young Adult Leadership Network. In 2014, she co-founded Ministry Incubators with fellow PTS alumnus Mark DeVries, to provide education and support for imaginative ministry and spiritual entrepreneurship. She was named 2024’s Distinguished Leader in Innovation by Wesleyan Impact Partners, the first to hold this distinction.
A Buckeye by birth, Kenda hails from a long line of Ohio farmers and Kentucky coal miners, although she herself is a PK – a politician’s kid. At fifteen, she attended a church missions camp on Lake Erie that pretty much changed everything. Kenda is a graduate of Miami University (Ohio), Wesley Theological Seminary (Washington, DC), and Princeton Theological Seminary (New Jersey), and has served as a pastor and campus minister in Arlington, VA, College Park, MD, and Kingston, NJ. She and her husband Kevin have two grown children and an unreasonable love for high school musicals.
Research Interests
Practical theology. Education and formation. Next generation faith and ministry. Ecclesial imagination. Spiritual entrepreneurship.
Recent Publications
Covenants on Campus, with Kim Hauenstein-Mallet (Discipleship Resources, 1990).
The Godbearing Life: The Art of Soul-Tending for Youth Ministry (25th anniversary revised edition, Upper Room, 2023), with Ron Foster and Megan DeWald.
Innovating for Love: Joining God’s Expedition through Christian Social Innovation (Market Square Publishing, 2022).
Delighted: What Teenagers Are Teaching the Church about Joy, with Wesley Ellis, Justin Forbes, and Abigail Rusert (Eerdmans, 2020).
Consensus and Conflict: Practical Theology for Congregations in the Thinking of Richard R. Osmer, with Blair Bertrand, Amanda Hontz Drury, and Andrew Root (Wipf and Stock, 2019).
How Youth Ministry Can Change Theological Education—If We Let It, with Christy Lang Hearlson (Eerdmans, 2016).
The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry, with Andrew Root (InterVarsity, 2011).
Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers Is Telling the American Church (Oxford, 2010).
OMG: A Youth Ministry Handbook, editor/author (Abingdon, 2010).
Youth, Religion and Globalization, New Research in Practical Theology, eds. Richard R. Osmer and Kenda Creasy Dean (LIT Verlag GmbH Co., 2007).
Practicing Passion: Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church (Eerdmans, 2004).
Starting Right: Thinking Theologically About Youth Ministry, eds. Kenda Creasy Dean, Chap Clark, and Dave Rahn (Zondervan/Youth Specialties Academic, 2001).
The Godbearing Life: The Art of Soul-Tending for Youth Ministry, with Ron Foster (Upper Room, 1998; 2d edition, 2010).
Courses
Ph.D. Seminars
- Coming of Age in a Culture of Creativity
- Practical Theology, Popular Culture and Adolescence
- Theories of Teaching in America, 1860–present
- Practices of Christian Education in Congregations
- Models of Adolescent Formation in Contemporary Christianity
- Graduate Teaching Colloquium
- First Year Interdisciplinary Seminar
- Teacher Apprenticeship Program (2-year mandatory program for doctoral students)
M.Div./M.A. Courses
- Advanced Studies in Youth, Church and Culture
- Adolescent World (Wesley Theological Seminary)
- Advanced Readings in Youth Ministry
- Anti-Racism Design Lab (article about class)
- Church as Social Entrepreneur (travel course) (article about class)
- Christian Spirituality and Small Groups
- Collaboratory: Special Topics for Ministry with Young Adults
- Case Studies on Young Adult Ministry
- Faith Formation in a Secular World
- Fundraising: Raising Confidence, Cash, and Connections
- Race and Youth Ministry (with Carmelle Beaugelin)
- Jesus, Zombies, and Dinosaurs: Science and Youth Ministry
- Visual Storytellers: Social Media for Christian Leaders (with Jeff Chu)
- Cross-Cultural Research in Youth Ministry (travel course to South Africa)
- Desolation and Grace in Young Adult Spirituality (travel course to England/Scotland)
- Ecologies of Faith Formation
- Failing Well
- Faith, Film and Spiritual Formation of Young Adults
- Field Education Supervision
- Incarnational Pedagogy
- Interfaith Leadership (co-taught with Dr. Eboo Patel, Interfaith Youth Core)
- Introduction to Christian Education
- Introduction to Speech Communication
- Laboratory in Models of Sustainable Ministry
- Laboratory in Entrepreneurial Ministries
- Missional Innovation and Young Adults
- Models of Ministry with College Students and Young Adults
- Passion, Joy and Adolescents
- Practicum in Entrepreneurial Ministry
- Practicum in Theology, Ecology, and Faith Formation
- Preaching to Youth
- Readings in Theology and Adolescence
- Life Together: Readings in Young Adult Spirituality
- Sermon Delivery Workshop
- Sex and Teenagers: Teaching from Christian Perspective
- Start Up Bus: Immersion in Entrepreneurial Ministry (travel course, multiple sites, USA)
- Teaching the Gospel to Adolescents
- Teaching the Bible to Children and Youth
- Theological Foundations of Youth Ministry
- Toward a Theology of Church Leadership
- When (Youth) Ministry Goes Online: Now What?
- Youth Ministry Forum Course
- Institute for Youth Ministry Research Course
D.Min. Courses
- Case Studies in Pastoral Ministry (Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton NJ)
- Introduction to Missional Entrepreneurship (Luther Seminary, Minneapolis, MN)
- Entrepreneurial Faith: The Future of Ministry with Young Adults (Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C. and Cambridge University, Cambridge, U.K.)
Online Courses
Theological Foundations for Innovation (PTS Institute for Youth Ministry/Log College Project, 2019)
Innovation and Youth Ministry, Carey Theological College, Auckland, New Zealand (May 2018)
The Godbearing Life: The Art of Soul Tending for Youth Ministry (PTS Institute for Youth Ministry, 2019)
Fellowships & Grants
- Teaching Spiritual Entrepreneurship in Theological Education, Trinity Wall Street Foundation ($1 million)…
- Polaris Young Adult Leadership Network, Lilly Endowment ($4 million)…
- The Ministry Collaboratory with Young Adults, Lilly Endowment ($1.25 million)…
- The Isaiah Partnership, Lilly Endowment ($1 million)…
- The Zoe Project: Young Adult Ministry Innovation grant, Lilly Endowment ($1.5 million)…
- Reynolds Foundation grant ($15,000)…
- Joy and Adolescent Faith and Flourishing Project, Yale University, Center for Faith and Culture (Templeton, $4.3 million)…
- Young Clergy Initiative, United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry…
- High School Theology Seminars Program Evaluation (2011–2014)…
- Faithful Practices Project, Lilly Endowment ($1 million)…
- Ten Year Assessment of Youth Ministry Projects…
- Wabash Study Leave Grant ($60,000)…
- Louisville Institute Summer Stipend Award ($10,000)…
- Valparaiso Project on the Education and Formation of People in Faith…
- John Wesley Scholar, Foundation for Theological Education…
- Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development, research grant…
- Time to Change, Lilly Endowment grant…
Other Major Research Projects
- National Study of Youth and Religion (2000–2005)…
- Princeton Globalization and Youth Ministry Project (1998–2003)…
Other Research Leadership
Lilly Endowment Youth Ministry Think Tank (2008–2012)…
The Log College Project (2018–2021)…
Theology of Joy and the Good Life (2014–2018)…
The Confirmation Project (2014–present)…
Youth Ministry Innovation Project (2015–2017)…
Churches Engaging Young People Project (2013–2017)…
Christians’ Callings in the World Project (2009–2013)…
Lectureships
International
- “The Good News of Shipwreck,” Simpson Lecture Series, Acadia Divinity College, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada (June 2025).
- “Love Made Me an Inventor,” Det Teologiske Menighetsfakultet (Department Praktisk-teologisk), Oslo, Norway (November 2016).
- “Going Viral for Jesus: Youth Ministry as Missional Theology.” Convocation lecture, Trinity Theological College, Singapore (July 2008).
- “Somebody Save Me: Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church.” Alumni lectures, Queen’s Theological College, Kingston, Ontario, Canada (October 2005).
- “Roaming Charges and God’s Mission to Move Us,” Eliza Ferrie Lecture, United Theological College, North Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia (June 2005).
- “The Godbearing Ministry,” Det Teologiske Menighetsfakultet (Department Praktisk-teologisk). Lecture series, Oslo, Norway (September 2001).
- “The Globalization of Adolescence.” Academic lecture series, University of South Africa, delivered in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and Pretoria, Spring 2000.
- “Youth Development in Congregations.” Lecture. Huguenot College, Faculty of Youth Ministry and Social Work, Wellington, South Africa, March 19, 1997.
- “Unlearning Youth Ministry for the Twenty-First Century.” Invited lecture. Africa University, Faculty of Theology, Mutare, Zimbabwe, March 12, 1997.
United States
“Holding on to Our Kisses: The Hormonal Theology of Adolescence” and “The Sacrament of One Another: Recovering a Theology of Desire through Youth Ministry for the Twenty-First Century Church.” Princeton Lectures on Youth, Church and Culture (St. Simon’s Island, GA), January 1999.
“The Good News of Shipwreck: 30 Years of Youth Ministry,” Princeton Lectures on Youth, Church and Culture, Princeton Theological Seminary (May 2025).
“Innovating for Love,” Hoxie Thompson Lecture, Austin Theological Seminary (Austin, TX), December 2022.
“Imagine If…How Young People Will Change the Post-Pandemic Church,” Albright-Deering Lectures, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, February 2021.
“Reimagining Youth Ministry: Failing Well,” Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry (Princeton Theological Seminary), April 2020.
“Not B.S.,” Sikes-McLugin Lecture, McMurry University (Abilene, TX), March 2019.
“Pedagogy for the Good Life: Loving Your Students,” Yale University, Center for Faith and Culture “Life Worth Living” conference (New Haven, CT), August 2018.
“Reframing Transcendence: Restoring Joy through Celebration,” Yale Divinity School Joy and Adolescent Flourishing Lectures (with Abigail Visco Rusert), New Haven, CT (March 2017).
“Reimagining Belonging: Restoring Joy through High Risk Hospitality,” Yale Divinity School Joy and Adolescent Flourishing Lectures (with Justin Forbes), New Haven, CT (September 2017).
“Rethinking Friendship,” Yale Divinity School Joy and Adolescent Flourishing Lectures (with Wes Ellis), New Haven, CT (October 2016).
“Ah or Aha? Reframing the Christian Story with Young People,” Trinity Days Lectures, Trinity Lutheran Theological Seminary (Columbus, OH), September 2016.
“Love Made Me an Inventor,” Princeton Lectures on Youth, Church and Culture, Princeton Theological Seminary (April 2016).
“Equipping Faithful Leaders: The Future of Theological Education,” Murdock Foundation/Duke Divinity School/A Foundation for Theological Education/Seattle Pacific University (Seattle, WA), October 2015.
“Almost Christian: The Nones and the Dones,” lecture, Tennessee Wesleyan College (Athens, TN), November 2014.
“Preparing Young People for Church Leadership in an Almost Christian World,” Heck Lectures, United Theological Seminary (Dayton, OH), October 2013.
“What the Faith of Our Teenagers Means for Christian Formation,” Buechner Institute, Kings College (Bristol, TN), March 2013.
Fall Lecture, Ecumenical Studies Center, Mt. Aloysius College (Cresson, PA), October 2012.
“What the Faith of Our Teenagers Is Telling Parents,” Wilson-Addis Lecture, Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University (Waco, TX), February 2011. https://bit.ly/3omkLrn
“Practicing Passion” and “The Spirituality of Emerging Adulthood,” May Lecture Series, Seattle Pacific University (Seattle, WA), May 2010.
“Hoping Mechanisms: Prayers for an Anxious Church” and “Ascension Deficit Disorder,” Princeton Lectures on Youth, Church and Culture, Princeton Theological Seminary, October 2010 and April 2011.
“Faith and Hope in the Age of Obama,” Aus Lectures, Luther Theological Seminary (St. Paul, MN), March 2010. https://bit.ly/3zjHpqE
“Rediscovering Sacrifice: Why Generation OMG Is the Theological Stimulus Package We Need,” Hickman Lectures, Duke Divinity School Convocation/Pastors’ School (Durham, NC), October 2009.
“Going Viral for Jesus: How Youth Ministry Helps the Church Reclaim a Missional Mindset,” Alumni Lectures, Gordon College, Gordon, Massachusetts (November 2007).
Warren Lectures, Dubuque Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa (November 2007).
“Missional Youth Ministry,” Jones Lectures on Christian Education, Austin Presbyterian Seminary (Austin, TX), February 2007.
“A Case for Doubt,” Freitas Lectures, Asbury Theological Seminary (Wilmore, KY), March 2006.
“Somebody Save Me: Passion in an MTD World,” Discipleship Lectures, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Elkhart, IN), March 2006.
“Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church.” Princeton Lectures on Youth, Church and Culture, Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry, Princeton Theological Seminary (Princeton, NJ), April 2004.
“Somebody Save Me: Addressing God-Haunted Youth in a Soul-Numbing Culture.” Lecture series, Maryville College (Maryville, TN), February 2004.
“Holding on to Our Kisses: The Hormonal Theology of Adolescence ” and “The Sacrament of One Another: Recovering a Theology of Desire through Youth Ministry for the Twenty-First Century Church.” Princeton Lectures on Youth, Church and Culture (St. Simon’s Island, GA), January 1999.
Boards and Advisory Councils
Board of Governors, Wesley Theological Seminary (2014–present).
Advisory Board, Center for L.I.F.E., Miami University (2024–present).
Board of Reference, “Being With” Global Initiative, London (2024–present).
Advisory Board, “Mapping Spiritual Innovation” Project (2024–present).
Advisory Board, “InnoFaith,” nonprofit connecting faith and entrepreneurship education (2024–present).
Project Leadership Team, 10×10 Youth Ministry Initiative, Fuller Theological Seminary (2021–present).