2019 Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry

This second lecture continues exploring embodied faith in the interconnections of faith, movement, and social change movements. Looking at 20th century social change movements, we explore under-acknowledged exemplars of faith and social change: community leaders and teachers. In particular, this lecture makes connections between the type of leadership development that was essential to the Citizenship Education program of the Civil Rights movement and the work of empowering youth and young adults to faithfully respond to the calls to work for change. Figures like Septima Clark initially seem to be an unlikely inspiration for youth workers; however, she, like many other 20th century African American women teachers, embodied an unwavering faith in God, in their cause, and in themselves that pushed them to continue working for justice in spite of efforts to thwart them.