From July 20th to the 22nd, the 2023 Adventist Conference on Family Research and Practice (ACFRP) took place virtually under the theme, "Families & Emotional Health: Hope, Heal, Thrive!" The event, which welcomed more than 2,000 registered participants from 115 countries, was a collaborative effort between the Department of Family Ministries at the General Conference, the Department of Discipleship in Lifespan Education at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University, the School of Social Work at Andrews University, and the Institute for the Prevention of Addiction at Andrews University. Attendees included local church members, pastors, seminary students, professors, practitioners, and directors of Family Ministries from different levels within the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 

The ACFRP aimed to provide valuable insights and practical strategies to foster emotional well-being within families following unprecedented challenges within the family in recent years, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual format allowed participants to access presentations at their convenience across various time zones and approximately 700 individuals joined the event in real-time, enriching the exchange of ideas and allowing for a sense of community among attendees.

The Presentations Offered

Distinguished keynote speakers played a pivotal role in shaping the conference's discourse. Dr. Kenneth Pargament, a renowned scholar in the field of religion, spirituality, and health, shed light on his research on spiritual struggles. His presentation, "Spiritual Struggles Along the Pathway to Wholeness and Growth," highlighted the prevalence of spiritual struggles among people of faith and individuals of various beliefs.

As attendees explored the challenges and opportunities related to family life, they recalled the apostle Paul's message in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 for an accurate description of the chaotic state of the family experience in the modern world.

Dr. Willie Oliver, director of Family Ministries at the General Conference, shares that “Dr. Morgan Medlock, a psychiatrist, Harvard-trained health policy clinician who is the lead editor of the volume Racism and Psychiatry: Contemporary Issues and Interventions, and also trained at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University, offered a three-part series of presentations under the rubric From Breakdown to Breakthrough, which was the biblical and spirit of prophecy perspective of the conference. Part 1 was titled Family Mental Health After COVID-19. Part 2 was titled God’s Holistic Solution, and Part 3 was Restoring the Family’s Purpose. She reminded attendees that our families ‘need to heed the messages of John 15:9, 12, 16 by understanding that …we need to learn to love one another, and remember that we’ve been chosen by God to be a part of His family, so we are never alone.’” 

The conference provided opportunities for active engagement through panel discussions and breakout sessions. Attendees participated in Q&A sessions with keynote speakers to delve deeper into the presented concepts. Breakout sessions offered by scholars and graduate students tackled important issues such as the impact of incarceration on family mental health, parenting with resilience, the role of parents, the effects of social media, marriage, and pornography on mental health, and the relationship between childhood trauma and faith maturity, among others.

Innovative Findings

Among the innovative findings presented, Dr. Pargament's discussion on "How Can I Live with Myself? Helping People Through Times of Moral Struggle" stood out. He highlighted the correlation between psychological problems, such as anxiety, depression, addiction, moral injury, moral violations, and moral struggles.

The conference also discussed the impact of modern challenges, particularly technology and social media, on family dynamics. Attendees learned that the new epidemic of loneliness and the youth mental health crisis are closely related to constant media use by a significant portion of the youth population.

As the event concluded, organizers challenged participants to apply the research findings and concepts discussed to their home life to enhance their emotional health and that of their families. Dr. Medlock emphasized the importance of living by a covenant of unconditional love, grace, empowerment, and intimacy within families.

Looking to the future, the 2024 Adventist Conference on Family Research and Practice is set to take place on July 18-20, 2024, with the theme, “Understanding Diverse Families.” The conference will return to an in-person format at the Seminary Chapel on the campus of Andrews University. Organizers hope to incorporate a hybrid approach to allow international participants to participate even if they cannot attend in person.

The ACFRP's 2023 virtual conference proved to be a success, inspiring families and practitioners across the globe to nurture emotional well-being and strengthen their communities. By fostering collaboration and sharing innovative research, the ACFRP continues to be a beacon of hope and support for families in the modern age.
To watch the general session presentations and seminars of the 2023 ACFRP, click here.