Biography

Holly Catterton Allen is Professor of Family Science and Christian Ministry where she holds a joint appointment in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Bible and Ministry. She teaches undergraduate courses such as Early Childhood Development and Family Ministry. Allen has previously taught at John Brown University, Biola University, and Abilene Christian University.

Allen's areas of scholarly interest are children's spirituality and intergenerational issues. Her most recent book is “InterGenerate: Transforming Churches through Intergenerational Ministry” (ACU Press, 2018); it is the edited volume from the 2017 InterGenerate Conference held in Nashville, Tenn. She is most well known for her book (with Christine Ross), “Intergenerational Christian Formation: Bringing the Whole Church Together in Ministry, Community, and Worship” (InterVarsity Press, 2012).

Allen is president of The Society for Children’s Spirituality, the board that convenes the national, cross-denominational Children’s Spirituality Summit (previously known as Children’s Spirituality Conference). The book from the 2006 conference, “Nurturing Children’s Spirituality: Christian Perspectives and Best Practices” (Cascade), was released in 2008 with Allen as the editor.

Additionally, Allen chairs the task force that convened the inaugural InterGenerate Conference in 2017 at Lipscomb University; InterGenerate is an international, cross-denominational gathering that brings together academics and practitioners who are passionate about bringing the generations together in Christian faith communities.

Allen has published articles in several journals including Christian Education Journal, Lutheran Education, and Lifelong Faith, Christian Scholar’s Review, and Christianity Today, and has written chapters in over twenty books. She is currently working on a book for InterVarsity Press with the working title of Nurturing Spiritual Formation in Children.

Allen is married to Leonard Allen and they have three adult children, David, Daniel, and Bethany, as well as four grandchildren. She and her husband enjoy hiking, lifting weights, gardening, and cooking together.