Learning in encounter and spiritual development in stressful times: a reflection from the perspective of protestant evangelical youth ministry practices in Flanders

This article explains why learning in encounter is a promising approach for current youth ministry practices. In particular, learning in encounter in relationship to spiritual development in the practices of youth ministry in Protestant evangelical faith communities in Flanders (Belgium) is explored focusing on two layers of normativity: (1) the layer of discourses in these practices and (2) the layer of professional theories in these practices. The author argues for the consequences that this exploration offers for the further direction of empirical research on learning in encounter for the spiritual development of children and youth in Protestant evangelical communities in Flanders.