16 Jul 2025, 16:49IM Communications
Researchers Present Findings on Spiritual Parenting in Ireland’s Adventist Families
On Sunday, 29 June 2025, a new research project titled Passing the Spiritual Baton – Determinants of Spiritual Parenting in the Irish Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church was presented to an audience of around 40 people. Among those in attendance were Irish Mission sponsors, members of the Irish Mission pastoral team, local church Children’s Ministries and Family Ministries leaders, and the Irish Mission Executive Committee.
The event took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Dublin. The research was developed by Dr. Petar Popivanov (research initiator and former Irish Mission Children’s Ministries Sponsor), Margaret Toland (Ph.D. Qualitative Researcher), and Pastor Gideon Petersen (Ph.D. Missiologist). The project was funded by the Irish Mission, the British Union Conference, and the Trans-European Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Dr. Petar Popivanov and Dr. Margaret Toland led the presentation of the research findings.
The morning began with a welcome and introduction from Pastor Adam Keough, President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ireland (Irish Mission). This was followed by a devotional from Karen Holford, Director of Children’s and Family Ministries at the Trans-European Division. Dr. Popivanov then provided the background and rationale for the study, and Dr. Toland presented the methodology, results, and key recommendations.
After a short break, attendees participated in a Q&A session, followed by a facilitated discussion chaired by Pastor Keough.
About the Research
This study set out to explore the key factors that shape spiritual parenting among Seventh-day Adventist families within the Irish Mission. Specifically, it addressed the following areas:
How parents use their time to engage their children in spiritual development
The influence of parental cultural backgrounds, other faiths, secularism, and the Darwinian-humanist worldview on their approach to passing on faith
The drivers and methods parents use to foster spiritual growth in their children
Pastor Adam Keough shared his hopes for the impact of the findings: “We hope that these research findings will help us all as we seek to understand how we can better equip parents and families, those involved in local churches who minister to children, and all who work with children and parents across the Irish Mission to more effectively bring our children—and parents—on the discipleship journey.”
Access to the Report and Presentation
Find below the recording of the presentation shared on Sunday 29th June 2025 and the full report and presentation available for download.
On Sunday, 29 June 2025, a new research project titled Passing the Spiritual Baton – Determinants of Spiritual Parenting in the Irish Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church was presented to an audience of around 40 people. Among those in attendance were Irish Mission sponsors, members of the Irish Mission pastoral team, local church Children’s Ministries and Family Ministries leaders, and the Irish Mission Executive Committee.
The event took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Dublin. The research was developed by Dr. Petar Popivanov (research initiator and former Irish Mission Children’s Ministries Sponsor), Margaret Toland (Ph.D. Qualitative Researcher), and Pastor Gideon Petersen (Ph.D. Missiologist). The project was funded by the Irish Mission, the British Union Conference, and the Trans-European Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Dr. Petar Popivanov and Dr. Margaret Toland led the presentation of the research findings.
The morning began with a welcome and introduction from Pastor Adam Keough, President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ireland (Irish Mission). This was followed by a devotional from Karen Holford, Director of Children’s and Family Ministries at the Trans-European Division. Dr. Popivanov then provided the background and rationale for the study, and Dr. Toland presented the methodology, results, and key recommendations.
After a short break, attendees participated in a Q&A session, followed by a facilitated discussion chaired by Pastor Keough.
About the Research
This study set out to explore the key factors that shape spiritual parenting among Seventh-day Adventist families within the Irish Mission. Specifically, it addressed the following areas:
How parents use their time to engage their children in spiritual development
The influence of parental cultural backgrounds, other faiths, secularism, and the Darwinian-humanist worldview on their approach to passing on faith
The drivers and methods parents use to foster spiritual growth in their children
Pastor Adam Keough shared his hopes for the impact of the findings: “We hope that these research findings will help us all as we seek to understand how we can better equip parents and families, those involved in local churches who minister to children, and all who work with children and parents across the Irish Mission to more effectively bring our children—and parents—on the discipleship journey.”
Access to the Report and Presentation
Find below the recording of the presentation shared on Sunday 29th June 2025 and the full report and presentation available for download.
