A growing momentum of challenge to James Fowler’s stage-based approach to faith development demands a sociological and educational paradigm shift. Through an examination of the impact of social media upon young people’s development, this chapter explores identity formation in teenagers through the framing of ‘journeys of faith’, and the implications that this has for church schools. The permanent yet transient interaction of multiple social stories, locates teenagers within a ‘multi-logue’ of 24…
Read moreA growing momentum of challenge to James Fowler’s stage-based approach to faith development demands a sociological and educational paradigm shift. Through an examination of the impact of social media upon young people’s development, this chapter explores identity formation in teenagers through the framing of ‘journeys of faith’, and the implications that this has for church schools. The permanent yet transient interaction of multiple social stories, locates teenagers within a ‘multi-logue’ of 24-7 interaction, narrative shaping and identity formation. Through a deepening understanding of this social context, schools can become better equipped to provide the support and celebration of narrative that allows faith to develop in a refreshingly and reassuringly non-linear manner.
