Is the church ready for questions on Theology 101?
Children and young people want to talk theology, argues Ollie Ward. It’s the church that doesn’t.
Two years ago, I was asked to host some seminars at Limitless Festival called Theology 101.
The aim was to help young people construct some basic theology and explore their questions.
To my horror, the seminars were scheduled at nine every morning.
That’s 9am! What self-respecting teenager at a festival wants to get up for 9am to come and discuss theology? I imagined I’d maybe get 30 young people – and I’d get the ones who had certain theological bugbears or pressing issues to argue.
But teaching theology is my job, so I said of course I would do it.
“I love engaging the next generation in theology,” I said.
The first morning in a cowshed at Stafford Showground at 9am, a few HUNDRED young people streamed in (I still think it’s because the venue had phone chargers!) to engage with theology and think about God.
... story continues