Débora Barbosa Agra Junker, PhD
Assistant Professor of Christian Education
Christian Theological Seminary
1000 West 42nd Street, Indianapolis, IN
E-mail: [email protected]
Education
PhD in Christian Education and Congregational Studies
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL, 1999- 2003.
Dissertation: “Liminal Pedagogy: Challenging Boundaries: Freire, Vygotsky and
Feminist Pedagogy in Dialogue with Christian Education”
Advisor: Dr. Linda J. Vogel
Committee: Dr. Margaret Ann Crain,
Dr. Osvaldo Vena,
Dr. Rosemary Radford Ruether
Master of Arts in Christian Education
Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, IN, 1997-1999.
Final Project: “The Child in Faith Community from a Christian Education Perspective”
Advisor: Dr. Nelle Slater
Committee: Dr. Nelle Slater and
Dr. Bruce Roberts
Master in Sciences of Religion
Methodist University of São Paulo, São Bernardo do Campo, SP, Brazil, 1994-1996.
Concentration Area: Practical Theology
Thesis: “A Criança na Comunidade de Fé: Uma Abordagem Sócio-Construtivista a Partir
do Conceito de Zona de Desenvolvimento Proximal em Vygotsky”
Advisor: Dr. Danilo Romeu Streck
Committee: Dr. Antônio Gouvêa Mendonça
Dr. Rinalva C. Silva
Specialization in Psycho-pedagogy Practicum of Early Childhood and Adolescence
Methodist University of São Paulo, São Bernardo do Campo, SP Brazil, 1991-1992.
Licenciate in Letters
Methodist University of São Paulo, São Bernardo do Campo, SP, Brazil, 1982-1985
Languages
Portuguese
Spanish
English
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Professional Experience
Assistant Professor of Christian Education
Christian Theological Seminary. 2007 Professor of Christian Education, Curso Teologico de Verano
Christian Theological Seminary, Summer 2008.
Professor of Christian Education
Methodist Theological Seminary, UMESP Methodist University of São Paulo, São Bernardo do
Campo, SP Brazil, March 2003- December 2006.
Field Education Coordinator
Methodist Theological Seminar, UMESP Methodist University of São Paulo, São Bernardo do
Campo, SP Brazil, 2004-2006.
Academic Coordinator, Religious Education Semi- Presential Course for Methodist ElementaryJunior School Instructors
UMESP Methodist University of São Paulo, São Bernardo do Campo, SP Brazil, 2005-2006.
Academic Coordinator and Instructor, Spanish School, Course of Studies Sessions - Escuela de
Curso de Estudios
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL, July 2003.
Instructor - Course: Formación del Discipulado
Academic Coordinator and Instructor in Escuela de Curso de Estudios
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL, Summer 2002.
Instructor - Course: Formación del Discipulado
Teaching Assistant
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL, Winter 2002.
Course: Teaching for Biblical Faith
Teaching Assistant
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL, Winter 2001.
Course: Adult and Christian Faith
Teaching Assistant
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL, Fall 2000.
Course: Theological Education in the Parish
Instructor
Spanish School (Escuela de Curso de Estudios), July 2001.
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL
Course: Formación del Discipulado
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Research Assistant
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL, Fall 2002.
Assisted Dr. Osvaldo Vena (collected and survey data in New Testament)
Library Assistant, Religious Education Center
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL, Fall 1999-2002.
Researcher in Religious Studies
UMESP Methodist University of São Paulo – São Bernardo do Campo, SP Brazil, 1992 to 1996.
Member of the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and Research (NEPE)
Editor
National Board of Editors, Brazilian Methodist Church Children's Periodical, Brazil,
1995 and 1996.
Instructor - Religious Education
Methodist Junior High School, São Bernardo do Campo, SP Brazil, 1993-1995.
Elementary and Middle School
Instructor - Religious Education
Methodist Elementary School, Bertioga, SP Brazil, 1993-1995.
Elementary School
Publications
Books
Débora Junker et al. “Natal: Cantos & Contos.” (“Advent: Songs & Stories.”) Colegio
Episcopal da Igreja Metodista. Series: Biblioteca Vida e Missão - Coordenação Nacional de
Trabalho com Criança, São Paulo, SP Brazil, 1994.
Débora Junker (Editor). National Children's Magazine from 1995 to 1996. (National
Board of Editors of the Brazilian Methodist Church, Brazil)
Book Manuscript in Process
E Uma Criança nos Guiará: Uma Abordagem Socio-Construtivista para o Ministerio com
Crianças (A Child Shall Lead Us: A Socio-Constructivist Approach to Children’s Ministry).
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Chapters in Books
“Resistance and Resilience: Cultivating Christian Spiritual Practices among Brazilian Child and
Youth.” In Nurturing Child and Adolescent Spirituality: Perspectives from the World’s Religious
Traditions. Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 2006 (chapter 35 p.449- 457).
Oliveira, Lucia (ed.), with Débora Junker et al. “Projeto Sombra e Água Fresca: Vivencias em
Educação Cristã.” Igreja Metodista do BrasilL Fundação Metodista de Ação Social e CNTC
(Coordenação Nacional de Trabalho com Criança), 2006.
Articles
“Facing Rupture: Paulo Friere’s Pedagogical Constructs.” Encounter, 2011.
“Presençae Participação da Criança no Culto” (“Presence and participation of the Child in
Worship”). Anuário Liturgico, São Bernardo do Campo: Faculdade de Teologia da Igreja
Metodista – Editeo, 2006.
“Para Pensar a Escola Dominical” (“Thinking about Sunday School”). In Boletim Recriar, São
Paulo: CONEC (Coordenação Nacional de Educação Crista), p. 9-11, Novembro/Dezembro
2004.
“Escola Dominical: Retrospectiva e Desafios” (“Sunday School: Retrospective and Challenges”).
Voz Missionária, São Bernardo do Campo: Confederação das Sociedades Metodistas de
Mulheres, Year 75, p. 18-19, August/September 2004.
“Participação da Criança no Culto” (Child’s Participation in Worship). Mosaico Apoio Pastoral,
São Bernardo do Campo: Faculdade de Teologia da Igreja Metodista – Editeo, year 12, number
31, p. 11-12, July/August 2004.
Articles in Progress
“Vygotsky & the Zone of Proximal Development.”
“Transformando Obstáculos Institucionais em Opportunidades: Uma Abordagem a partir da
Pedagogia Feminista.” (Transforming Institutional Obstacles into Opportunities: A Feminist
Pedagogical Approach).
Book Reviews
Joyce Mercer. “Welcoming Children: A Practical Theology of Childhood.” Encounter, Spring,
2010.
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Public Lectures
Methodist Church Vila Planalto, “Challenges and Opportunities for Educating in faith.” São
Bernardo do Campo, SP Brazil, May 28, 2006.
Methodist Conference on Children: “Peace Begins at Home, but doesn’t stop there,” “Resisting
Conflicts: Rites of Hope and Compassion.” Methodist University of São Paulo, SP Brazil,
November, 2005.
Methodist Church, Rudge Ramos, “Education Ministry with Families in a Changing World.”
São Bernardo do Campo, SP Brazil, May 30, 2004.
Theological Studies Week, “Christian Education and Inclusion: A Wesleyan Perspective.”
Methodist University of São Paulo, SP Brazil, September 22-26, 2003.
Teaching Conference: “Preparing Scholars for Research and Teaching: A Conference on PhD
Education.” Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL, November 2001.
Coordinator of Seminary and National Conferences in Brazil
National Methodist Conference on Children, “Every Child is our Child: Conflict, Achievement,
and Challenge.” Methodist Theological Seminar, UMESP, Methodist University of São Paulo,
São Bernardo do Campo, SP Brazil, September 2004.
National Methodist Conference on Children, “The Peace Begins at Home, but doesn’t stop
there.” Methodist Theological Seminary, UMESP, Methodist University of São Paulo, São
Bernardo do Campo, SP Brazil, November 2005.
Pastoral for the Incarcerated, “Project New Sight.” Methodist Theological Seminary, UMESP,
Methodist University of São Paulo, São Bernardo do Campo, SP Brazil, 2003, 2004, and 2005.
Social Responsibility & Mission, “Towards a Literacy for Citizenship.” Methodist Theological
Seminary, UMESP, Methodist University of São Paulo, São Bernardo do Campo, SP Brazil,
2004.
National Conference on Youth, “Youth and Education in Faith.” Methodist Theological
Seminary- UMESP, Methodist University of São Paulo, São Bernardo do Campo, SP Brazil.
April 2006.
Professional Memberships
Association of Professors and Researchers in Religious Education, APRRE-USA
United Methodist Association of Scholars in Christian Education, UMASCE-USA
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International Honor Society of Theta Phi, USA
Center for Spiritual Development in Childhood & Adolescent, USA
Editorial Boards
Journal Caminhando (Methodist School of Theology, São Paulo, SP Brazil)
Religion and Education in the Public Sphere (REPS) (Online journal)
Activities and Participation
Participant, UMASCE Consultation “Moving Into God's Future: Educational Leadership as
Improvisation,” Fall Creek Falls State Park, Pikeville, TN, July 27-31, 2009.
Elected Member of Design Team, UMASCE Consultation “Innovating from the Margins,” Fall
Creek Falls State Park, Pikeville, TN, July 2009-2011.
Instructor, Curso Teológico de Verano: Fundamentos de la Educación Cristiana Christian
Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, IN, August 3-7, 2009.
Participant, UMASCE Executive Committee, Nashville, TN, February 25-26, 2010.
Guest Speaker: Presbyterian Church, Joao Pessoa, PB Brazil, April 7, 2010.
Member of Research Group on Practical Theology in Brazilian Context (GETEP), Graduate
School of Religious Science , Methodist University of Sao Paulo, UMESP, SP Brazil, May 2010.
Participant, GETEB meeting, Methodist University of Sao Paulo, UMESP, SP Brazil, June 2010.
Appointed Member of Editorial Board, Journal Caminhando, peer-reviewed academic periodical
published by the Methodist School of Theology, Methodist University of Sao Paulo, UMESP, SP
Brazil, May 2010.
Instructor, Curso Teológico de Verano: Educación Cristiana y Espiritualidad Christian
Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, IN, July 26-30, 2010.
Participant, Annual APPRRE Conference “Learning Religion Religiously: Learning amidst
Global Cultural Flows,” Denver, CO, November 7-9, 2010.
Appointed Member, editorial board of the Journal of Religion and Education in the Public
Sphere (REPS), a new online, peer-reviewed academic periodical published by Sopher Press to
be launched May 2011.
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Guest Speaker, Christian Education Workshop “Education as Formation and Transformation,”
Iglesia Discipulos de Cristo, Palm Bay, FL, May 2011.
Participant, UMASCE Consultation, Alton L. Collins Retreat Center, Portland, OR, July 28-1,
2007.
Elected Member of Design Team, UMASCE 2009 Consultation, July 2007-2009.
Leader, Prayer Retreat at Christ United Methodist Church, Lafayette, IN, November 3, 2007.
Participant, Music and Worship in the City Conference “Can Worship Enable Reconciliation?”
Memphis, TN, February 1-3, 2008.
Host, UMASCE Praxis Group Meeting, Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, IN,
March 14-15, 2008.
Participant, Planning UMASCE Consultation with Gilbert Rendle, Senior Consultant of Alban
Institute, Nashville, TN, April 9-10, 2008.
Retreat Facilitator with Tércio Junker, “Weaving Our Community,” First Congregational United
Church of Christ, McCormick’s Creek State Park, IN, April 11-13, 2008.
Contributor, “Scholarly Consultation on the theme of United Methodist Christian Education,”
General Board of Higher Education Ministries. Education Team of the Division Ordained
Ministry, Nashville, TN, May 18-20, 2008.
Participant, “ATS Roundtable for Newly Appointed Faculty,” Chicago, IL, October 10-12, 2008.
Participant, “Consultation for Hispanics/Latinos/as in Theological Education II – Dialogue for
Excellence: Best Practices for Service and Development of Hispanic/Latino/a Faculty,”
Pittsburgh, PA, October 24-26, 2008
Participant, “Annual APPRRE Conference “Fiction as Truth: Seeking religious depth in Short
Stories, Novels, and Film,” Chicago, IL, November 7-9, 2008.
Member, “Open Source Liturgy Project: New worship resourcing of God’s people, by God’s
people, and for all God’s people,” General Board of Discipleship (UMC). (The group is
responsible to write liturgical resources in Portuguese).
Mentor, Youth Confirmation Class of 2009, North United Methodist Church, Indianapolis, IN,
2009.
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