The Teleios Society is excited to announce its next conference to promote holistic Christian Spirituality by engaging in a vital conversation that is needed in the church today. The 2023 conference theme will be “Gen Z: The Ongoing Conversation.” We have gathered thought leaders from different disciplines and different faith traditions to approach this discussion from many lenses, including cultural intelligence, current sociological research, family studies, adolescent development, psychology, youth ministry, and spirituality studies.

Our hope is to engage thought leaders, scholars, church leaders, and youth and family ministers as we learn together how to better include and empower Gen Z in our faith communities. Supported by members of the International Churches of Christ, this conference will be primarily held in plenary sessions to engage this conversation altogether, with the exception of one breakout session which will address some specific needs. This conference is a partnership of members of the Teleios Society and scholars from the Stone-Campbell Heritage of churches. Special appreciation to Dr. Dudley Chancey and Oklahoma Christian University for welcoming the Teleios Society to campus and hosting this event. 

Our confirmed speakers and their plenaries/breakouts:

David Kinnaman (Barna Group): Gen Z and Resilient Discipleship
Dudley Chancey, PhD (Oklahoma Christian University): Gen Z and The Role of Family
Kyle Spears (Trauma Counselor): Unburdening Generational Trauma through the Use of Memorial
Amy McLaughlin-Sheasby, PhD (Abilene Christian University): Picking Up the Pieces: Cultivating Hope in a Traumatized Age
David Fraze, DMin (Lubbock Christian University): Gen Z and Youth Ministry
Ryan Erbe, PhD (United States Military Academy): Gen Z and Meditation: An Exercise of Opportunity
David Pocta, PhD (Oblate School of Theology): Naming the Storm: Wilderness, a Dark Night of the Soul, or Deconstruction?
Hannah DeSouza, Harvard Divinity Student: Gen Z: The Next Forty Years

Dan Rodriguez, PhD (Pepperdine University): Cultural Intelligence and Gen Z

Nadine Templer (HOPE worldwide):  Gen Z and Their View of the Gospel