Early adulthood is a time when one gets married, and has children. Right? But what happens when the happy couple’s dreams come to a grinding halt. In the middle of settling into their adult lives, some emerging adults come face to face with one of the hardest situations that they will ever face – the death of a child. Continue reading
Early adulthood is a time when one gets married, and has children. Right? But what happens when everything that seemed to be moving ahead comes to a grinding halt. In the middle of settling into their adult lives, some emerging adults come face to face with one of the hardest situations that they will ever face – the death of a child. Continue reading
I grew up going to church every Sunday with my family. As the youngest of four boys, we drove each Sunday to church in a little Chevet Diesel. It was a little tight at times, and let’s just say that we didn’t always wear our seatbelts. Continue reading
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If you believe the statistics, most students who attended church as children leave their faith during the early adulthood years. Parents whose children turn away from the faith, often wonder why the child who once did everything at church – youth group, Sunday School, VBS, and even went on a mission trip, could just simply walk away? Continue reading
Who am I?
Is this just a question for adolescents as they seek to find a seat in the junior high lunch room? Or fit in among the various high school peer groups? Or is it a question asked by emerging adults as they try to set a course for their life? It is a question that all people ponder at various points in their lives, regardless of age. I know there are many days when I ask myself that question (and I am way beyond the EA years.)
Asking who we are springs from our human desire for individuality, or to be known (by ourselves and others). We do not want to be lost in a crowd, but desire to be unique and known. Identity formation is the process of developing a distinct personality in which characteristics are possessed and by which a person is recognized or known. Concepts within identity formation include: vocation, personality, sexuality, community, affiliation, values, and beliefs. Developing one’s identity provides a sense of continuity, a sense of uniqueness from others, and the ability to seek affiliation. Identity formation is crucial to maturation and personal well-being.
Identity formation has often been seen as something done during the adolescence and confirmed by early adulthood. Recently, the concept of identity formation being completed by early adulthood has come under scrutiny. Although adolescence and emerging adulthood appear to be the lifestages when many crucial decisions are indeed faced, identity formation develops throughout an individual’s lifetime. Speaking on identify formation, Schweitzer notes,
…identity formation turns out to be a flexible and, most likely, a lifelong process. As the experience of transitional periods in life has multiplied-with changes of profession, new trainings, second and third marriages, and so forth—the need to rework and to reestablish one’s identity has also become an enduring task never to be quite completed. (Schweitzer, 2004)
Identity formation is not a single task, or something that is completed during adolescence, but is something that continues throughout the individual’s life.
In our world, many adults are judged who make changes in later life stages. They are often accused of having a mid-life crisis, or being shifty, disingenuine, or flaky. While there are people who experience mid-life crisis, the human ability to adapt at any age is healthy. The ability to adapt is a survival skill, rather than a weakness. I know that I am not the same person that I was in high school or college. Making changes in our lives reflect the continual maturation we do as humans, and the sanctification we experience as Christians.
Did Jesus experience a mid-life crisis? He changed from Galilean carpenter to Savior of the World. At all stages of life, Jesus followed the will of His father.
Exploring new directions in life is not a crisis, but could be the leading of God in your life.
Asking who you are is not a reason to panic. Decide today who you want to be. Tomorrow that may change, and that is okay. Through it all, I am “in Christ” which established my purpose and value, and I have surrendered my life to Him. All the other things in life, I am allowed to change.
Resources:
The Postmodern Life Cycle: Challanges for Church and Theology by Schweitzer.
Asking who we are flows from our human desire for individuality, or to be known (by ourselves and others). Nobody wants to be forgotten or lost in a crowd. Identity formation, is the process of developing a distinct personality in which characteristics are possessed and by which a person is recognized or known. Concepts included within identity formation includes: vocation, personality, sexuality, community, affiliation, values, and beliefs. Developing one’s identity provides a sense of continuity, a sense of uniqueness from others, and the ability to seek affiliation. Identity formation is crucial to maturation and personal well-being.
Sometimes Christian expressions become popularized, over-used, and abused (anyone remember WWJD bracelet fad?). Although many of them have good origins, they can also lead to undesirable out-comes. One expression that has been linked to identity formation by Christians is “in Christ.” The phrase is usually accompanied by a long list of the verses that refer to believers (Search the Web for Identity in Christ Bible Verses – if you want to see such a list.) The list is meant to remind us of the source of our identity, and can be very helpful for many Christians.
However for me, I lost myself in that list. I felt that being in Christ meant that anything beyond the list was useless and lacked meaning. Instead of seeing my identity in Christ as a spring board, it became a cage.
As Christians, we believe that we should be shaped into the image of Christ. Sometimes, within our churches, we attempt to over-simplify the process of identity formation. We narrow it down into a single statement such as, “Your identity comes from Christ alone.” However does Jesus Christ make decisions for them including their vocational choices, personality features, clothing and music preferences? The concept of being found “in Christ” does not form our identity, but gives us the basis from which these decisions are made.
The concept of being “in Christ” is helpful in that it reminds us that our sense of worth doesn’t come from what we choose to like, to be, to wear, or do for a living. Our worth comes from the fact that we are God’s Creation and His workmanship. Ephesians 2:10 says that “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” This verse reveals that our worth and purpose comes from being in Him.
The concept of being “in Christ” does not determine every decision of life. For example, if I need to decide between becoming a farmer or fireman, Jesus doesn’t tell me the answer. While Jesus did give us some guidelines by which to live by, there are many choices that are not discussed.
Growing up in a Christian realm, I felt as if I had lost the freedom to choose as part of being “in Christ.” Few choices were amoral, but were either right or wrong – decided for me by a rigid morality system (my music, vocation, clothing…). Once I surrendered to Christ, my will was replaced by his will. I operated under the premise that it was ungodly to think about what I wanted to do, but only about what God wanted me to do. I never thought about what I wanted to do for a living, but assumed God called me to be a pastor because I was “in Christ.”
Simply put – I was really messed up.
I had lost the freedom to choose. I thought I had to give up my freedom in order to follow Christ. But it wasn’t true. A concept that was supposed to bring joy and freedom brought me captivity. There is a need to define the freedom that comes from being “in Christ.” Freedom from sin, freedom from condemnation, and especially freedom to be fully me.
You get to make decisions in life as to who you want to be. You are never trapped. You can be what you want. You still have to choose.
Or better yet – You get to choose!
May your identity “in Christ” be a spring board as you experience freedom with Him.
This article is written in cooperation with Jeff Marian, Lead Pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, MN. Jeff has a clear passion to involve Emerging Adults at all levels of church leadership. Jeff does not believe that age should be obstacle for leadership within the church. Although not EAs, his church currently has two leaders (at the highest level) who are in their 30’s, and they are actively looking for more.
Our church needed transition because our church community was aging. Mark 2:22 says, “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins.” Our church was in need of new wineskins in order to bring change to our community.
Our church needed to reach EA’s, and didn’t know how. In order to reach different people, we needed to make some changes. When we tried to reach EA’s without their input, it felt as if the church was an airplane in the fog without instrumentation. We saw things only from our limited perspective of those in the room. EA’s are the eyes, ears, and the heart of the future. Without them, we were flying blind. As a church, we decided to stop making assumptions about EAs, and start asking them directly.
Young leaders lack life experience, but that should not disqualify them from leadership. Leadership gives them this experience. Placing them into leadership has exposed them to the wisdom of those who are older. It has forced the emerging adult’s ideal world to meet the real world. When their passion and idealism collides with reality, maturation occurs.
There is always danger in the extremes. Good church leadership requires a balance of voices, and not just one age group. Younger leaders are willing to make and lead change. Those in the second half of their spirituality are able to discern the baby from the bathwater. A balance of the two helps us protect the church, and keep it healthy and relevant (Jeff referenced the book Falling Upward by Richard Rohr.).
EA’s becomes advocates for their generation. Many times, I don’t understand the issues they are facing. I am warped as a baby-boomer, and we need them to see the world how they see it. When I am an advocate for EA’s, it doesn’t carry the same weight as when they speak for themselves. People in the congregation look at them and see someone who reminds them of their child, or their grandchild. This invokes a sense of responsibility and hop in older adults to lead well for the future. When EA’s stand up to lead, they are a living symbol of the future.
EA’s have a passion for Kingdom Work, and their passion spreads. They want to be involved outside the walls of the church. Placing them in leadership gives them the visibility to make their passion truly contagious to the entire body of Christ.
EA’s have the influence over the other young leaders. Not because they force peers to do something, but because of the power of community.
EA’s have grown up knowing that America is not Christendom. Many in our church still don’t understand that, but they are slowly teaching us how to be a light in a diverse society.
Older people want EA’s to speak up and have a voice. Obstacles only appear when they are given equal or more weight and value than those who are paying the bills. It is difficult for any generation to look beyond what feeds my generation, and to look ahead to the next.
Our leadership knew that there was capable young leadership in the congregation. We just had to identify and recruit them. Once we identified some leaders, we started personally recruiting them. This week, I had lunch with an EA, and asked him to step up into leadership. His father had been in leadership for many years in our community, and I challenged him to follow in his father’s footsteps. I am praying that he will join our team.
We specifically targeted those under 35 for our church council. Many EA’s feel as if leadership opportunities are not available to them (link to “Young Need Not Apply”), and we wanted to make a statement that age would not be a factor in leadership selection. We communicated this vision through printed and spoken word.
As the senior leader, I have to take the chance to ask them – one on one. I want them to hear me say, “You are the future. I want to validate your leadership. I need you to step into that gap. How can I work together with you?”
While age might not be a requirement, there are other requirements. All individuals go through the same process to enter into church leadership. Our community’s requirements include: serving and leading somewhere else in the body, active engagement maturation, volunteer time, and money to the community, and the respect of their peers.
I believe Jeff has two essential skills that enables him to recruit EAs into leadership – a passionate vision for intergenerational leadership, and the ability to voice that need across the table.
Although I am no longer an emerging adult, I was energized by Jeff’s vision of intergenerational leadership. I would also readily admit that following this interview, that if there was a day when he sat down across the table from me and asked me to join his team, I would probably say yes.
Jeff Marian is the Senior Pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, MN. He is married to Nancy, and together are parenting three emerging adults.
As a youth pastor for 12 years, I participated in many closed-door meetings (with men mostly 15 or more years older than me). During these meetings, I was expected to speak for millennials (who are 15 years younger than me). It is a difficult spot to be in – I would say an impossible spot. How am I supposed to speak for a new generation? Don’t get me wrong. I have studied the research. I spend time with EAs (emerging adults). I have a pretty good understanding of who they are (even though that is really not possible). I could speak for them, but why?
Are there not EAs who can speak for themselves?
Are there not EAs who understand their world better than me?
Are there not EAs who know how to reach their peers better than me?
Are there not EAs who would jump at the opportunity to share their voice?
Are there not EAs leaving established churches because of obstacles that keep them from what God created them to do?
So I ask again,
Are there not EA’s who can speak for themselves?
Why is it that so many churches rely on others to speak for EAs, instead of having them in the room? There is a very real, but unwritten requirement for leading within many churches – AGE. You have to be old. I have worked with many churches where the 40-year-old is considered the “youngster” on the team.
This is a problem.
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Many EA’s I interviewed who grew up at my church were convinced that as young adults, they were not capable of leading people who were older. I asked them why they believed this (because they didn’t learn it from me). Many had little reasoning other than younger people didn’t know enough, or that those who were older wouldn’t listen.
Is age a requirement for leading in the church? Did God ever use the young to lead? Does God require that you be a certain age before you are able to speak out? Is wisdom age-dependent?
Where did the practice of restricting younger adults from leadership begin? It didn’t start with Jesus.
If age limitations are assumed within your leadership structure, then it you should state it. Put a sign out that says, “Young Need not Apply.” I mean it. If you state it, you should be able to defend it. If you can’t defend it, then why believe it. If you don’t believe it, then stop upholding it.
Welcoming EAs into leadership will take work because many EAs feel as if…
Young Need Not Apply.
Have you ever felt like you have been here before? Some many of us start each new year with a list of resolutions and goals. We hope that by improving ourselves we will make this year better than the last.
Continue reading
Over Thanksgiving weekend, my parents came into town to visit us. On the first night they were there, my son looked at us and said, “I want private time with Granna and Pops. You two need to leave. “
What could we say? So my wife and I made plans to go to a movie the following night. Thanksgiving weekend is a huge weekend for going to the theatres. It seemed as if everyone not at the malls was at the theatre.
My wife’s first request would have been to see some Nicholas Sparks movie. But I am thankful that none are currently out. I hate crying for no reason. There were actually no romantic movies out (dodged a bullet on that one).
My first choice would have been “Thor” (for the 2nd time). My first choice because it is a movie about a Marvel super hero. My first choice just because it is awesome. (Can anyone argue with the fact that Tom Hiddleston as Loki is awesome?) However, when I voiced my opinion, my wife gave me no response.
My wife’s second request was to see some movie called “Catching Fire.” I am not sure if you have heard of it. I guess it is a big deal to some. I surprisingly haven’t seen it, and didn’t want to see the 2nd before I saw the first. So my wife let me pass.
My second request was non-existent because the Hobbit wasn’t out yet.
My wife then suggested that we go to “12 Years a Slave.” I knew it might not be tough, but I thought it would be good.
The move is about Solomon Northup, a freed black man from New York who is abducted and sold down south into slavery. Facing the end of his freedom, Solomon fights for survival and for hope in a dark world.
Why should you see this movie?
The first reason is because it turns slavery from a textbook into a reality. I don’t want to give away what happens during the film, but I know that you will feel like you are there. I am not saying it is a good feeling. There were many times when I felt as I wanted to run, hide. I covered my eyes. I covered my ears. I felt as if I was there, and I could barely handle it.
The movie challenged me to know that I can withstand the circumstances that I am in. Solomon made choices to cling to hope and his integrity. He was a great example of living a life of integrity.
The movie challenged me to continue to look for injustice in our world today, and to be a voice for those who have none.
It has a MPAA rating of R due to male and female nudity. The nudity does not come through a passionate bedroom scene, but through trying to display the reality of the lives of slaves in the south.
I know that many people go to the theater because they want to forget reality, injustice, and the difficulties of life. I get that, and I often do the same. The box office numbers reveals this fact. 12 Years a Slave has made about 33.7 million in the box office (and will soon be gone). Thor 2 has already grossed 188 million.
If you don’t go to the theatre, then rent it. Whatever you do, you should watch the movie.
There are some issues in life that are hard to address, however, that doesn’t mean we can ignore them.
I believe that watching this movie could make you more understanding, compassionate, and driven to be an instrument for the Kingdom of God.
