Towards a Practical Theology of Whole-Person Learning

Abstract

This article explores an understanding of whole-person learning in faithbased, youth ministry training. I suggest that several challenges and cultural conditions have resulted in formational theological education becoming over-focused on academic and professional requirements, at the expense of supporting people to become integrated, self-aware, and spiritually-mature practitioners, who are able to sustain effective ministry with young people long-term. I propose that considering the ‘whole person’ in pedagogical processes provides a way of understanding and facilitating formation that will assist personal and spiritual growth as well as the development of the required theological and professional knowledge, understanding, and skills. These issues are explored through a pneumatological lens, considering the Spirit as metaphor and agent in key areas, namely formation processes, the facilitator’s role, whole person engagement, the affective domain, and mystery.

Keywords:

• theological education
• youth ministry
• formation
• integration
• adult learning
• pneumatology