Dr. Holly Catterton Allen

Dr. Holly Catterton Allen retired in 2021 from her position as Professor of Christian Ministries and Family Science at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she taught undergraduate courses such as Family Ministry and Nurturing Spiritual Development in Children. In retirement, her areas of interest continue to be children’s spiritual formation and intergenerational ministry. From 2015-2021, she chaired two biennial international, cross-denominational conferences: InterGenerate and the Children’s Spirituality Summit. Dr. Allen previously taught at John Brown University, Biola University, and Abilene Christian University. 

Dr. Allen is the co-author of Intergenerational Christian Formation: Bringing the Whole Church Together in Ministry, Community, and Worship, 2nd edition (InterVarsity Academic, 2023, in press). In 2021, Forming Resilient Children: The Role of Spiritual Formation for Healthy Development was released (InterVarsity Academic, 2021). She also edited InterGenerate: Transforming Churches through Intergenerational Ministry (ACU Press, 2018). Her first book, Nurturing Children’s Spirituality: Christian Perspectives and Best Practices (Cascade), an edited volume, was released in 2008. Dr. Allen has published articles in journals such as Christian Education Journal, Lutheran Education, Lifelong Faith, and Christian Scholar’s Review as well as in Christianity Today; she has also authored chapters in twenty books.

Dr. Allen is married to Dr. 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.