Center for Spiritual Development

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose and goal of the center?
How does the center define spiritual development?
How is spiritual development related to religion and religious development?
How is the center related to Search Institute?
Why is Search Institute taking on this particular project at this particular time?
Who is funding the Center for Spiritual Development?

Q. What is the purpose and goal of the center?
A. The Center for Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence is a global initiative to advance the understanding of positive human development by focusing on a domain of life that is typically marginalized in the study of human development. The initiative will strengthen the theory and research base on spiritual development while also providing new insight and guidance to improve youth development efforts in multiple sectors of society and around the world.

Q. How does the center define spiritual development?
A. Building a broad consensus on definitional question is a major focus for our work in 2006. For now, we are using the definition that we first proposed in 2003 and guided the work on The Handbook of Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence. Our current working definition is:

Spiritual development is the process of growing the intrinsic human capacity for self-transcendence, in which the self is embedded in something greater than the self, including the sacred. It is the developmental “engine” that propels the search for connectedness, meaning, purpose, and contribution. It is shaped both within and outside of religious traditions, beliefs, and practices.

We anticipate that this definition will be substantially revised as our work continues. We invite interested persons to add their perspective in the discussion boards of this Web site.

Q. How is spiritual development related to religion and religious development?
A. Spiritual development and religious development are not the same thing, though they overlap in the experiences of many people. One way to think of it is that religious development is a common way for people to give language, structure, belief system, and narrative to their spiritual development. Thus, “religious” communities or traditions may enrich or thwart one’s spiritual development.

Search Institute’s work in spiritual development is not limited to any particular faith tradition, though a highly diverse number of faith traditions will necessarily be part of the center’s development and will hopefully make good use of the center’s offerings. Because spiritual development is a core human process (in our understanding), our approach does not preclude atheistic, agnostic, or nonmainstream spiritual worldviews.

Q. How is the center related to Search Institute?
A. The center is an initiative within Search Institute. Conceptually, spiritual development, the Developmental Assets, and thriving are all expressions of Search Institute’s core competence of being a global innovator in child and adolescent development. Many asset-building principles (which are grounded in theories of youth development) will be evident in our approach to spiritual development. The work will be build bridges, emphasize both commonality and diversity, and articulate an ecological understanding of human development.

This work does not replace, but complements, Search Institute’s ongoing efforts to engage the faith community as part of a community-wide commitment to asset building. The Institute will continue to seek to engage faith communities as resources for asset building. For more information on this focus, see Search Institute’s Web site for faith communities.

Q. Why is Search Institute taking on this particular project at this particular time?
A. Spiritual development appears to be at a “tipping point” for becoming a major theme in child and adolescent development. Scholars in various disciplines are invested in the field, practitioners are seeking answers in a changing world, and the public seems interested and attentive. Significant investment in scientific research, practical resources, and heightened public visibility now can catalyze positive change in the lives of young people, their families, their communities, and ultimately, societies worldwide.

Q. Who is funding the Center for Spiritual Development?
A. The John Templeton Foundation is funding this start-up phase of this project. Additional funding to support center activities is currently being sought.

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The Center for Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence

Search Institute
615 First Avenue NE, Suite 125
Minneapolis MN 55413
612.399.0235