Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary receives grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.

Saint John's University School of Theology and Seminary received a $525,000 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to continue its support of the Lilly Youth Theology Network (LYTN).

LYTN is a network composed of 34 theology programs for high school youth that engage young people in study and other learning experiences to explore theological traditions and examine the ethical and moral dimensions of contemporary challenges. Founded in 2012, the network supports these youth theology programs through annual meetings, on-site consultations and educational opportunities for program directors.

LYTN also captures and shares with the broader religious audiences key insights learned about effective pedagogies for engaging youth in theology and helping youth discern their vocational calls. This is accomplished through research, publications and the LYTN website (www.youththeology.org) that contains information about effective pedagogical practices from across the spectrum of Christian traditions.

"I am convinced that these youth theology programs are one of the best-kept secrets in the American church that more people need to know about," wrote Saint John's University President Michael Hemesath in a grant proposal letter. "LYTN brings the good work that Lilly Endowment initiated to the attention of many church leaders."

The grant is under the direction of Jeffrey Kaster, director of the School of Theology and Seminary's Youth in Theology and Ministry program and an adjunct faculty member in the CSB/SJU Department of Theology and School of Theology and Seminary.

"These Lilly youth theology programs have been exceptionally successful in recruiting the next generation of church leaders," Kaster said. "A recent research report by Barbara Wheeler suggests that 25 percent of the youth attending these youth theology programs have attended, are attending or are planning to attend seminary."

In 1998, Lilly Endowment established its Theological Programs for High School Youth initiative and awarded grants to 48 Christian seminaries across the country with the goals of fostering excitement for theological exploration and cultivating a cadre of young Christian leaders for church and society.