I found an interesting article by Tim Elmore. I think that it is a great read for both parents and emerging adults.
Here is a link to the full article!
One other myth about college… read here.
The title of this article is what caught my attention because I do believe that many parents fail to teach their children what it means to be an adult. However, it is not just parents who should carry the blame for the delayed development of adolescents that is prevalent in our society.
I believe that the road to adulthood has become more complex in our modern, technology-driven, diverse society. In spite of new challenges that emerging adults face,
I believe that the exit ramp to adulthood is clear and achievable. (Click here to read my three developmental tasks of adulthood.)
Here is Zach’s article which I found on theGuardian website.
Life is often referred to as a “highway”, to borrow from Tom Cochrane, and for my generation that hasn’t changed.
“Adulthood today lacks a well-defined roadmap”, writes Steven Mintz, in his forthcoming book The Prime of Life. “Today, individuals must define or negotiate their roles and relationships without clear rules or precedents to follow”.
Here is the rest of the article.
Dr. G. David Boyd is the Managing Director of EA Resources, a non-profit designed to equip parents and churches to understand and minister to emerging adults. He is also the founder of the EA Network, a group whose purpose is to connect those who work with emerging adults.
Many people are pessimistic about Millennials, but I believe the next generation is poised to transform the culture (and the world) for the good. For many churches and leaders, however, Millennials are (to borrow from Winston Churchill) “a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.”
Someone passed this article along to me this past week. I believe that Frank Powell and I share an optimistic view of the future, and similar viewpoints. I hope that one day he is traveling through Indiana (Our state is called the “Crossroads of America” for a reason!), and I can buy him a cup of that black coffee that he likes.
While I agreed with most of Frank’s points, one statement that I would slightly disagree with is, “Some churches and leaders don’t see the value of changing to reach this generation, but once they realize this mentality is wrong it will be too late.” I actually believe it would be difficult (if not impossible) to find someone who doesn’t care about the Millennial generation. However, churches do not know how to reach Millennials, and do not understand emerging adulthood. Their lack of understanding often leads churches to fear and isolation.
This is why EA Resources exists. If I can equip your church to minister to emerging adults, please contact me at gdavid@earesources.org.
Here are some additional articles about Millennials and the church:
I came across a series of articles on Sapientia, a series of articles that is collected by Trinity International Divinity School. The articles are written by David Setran, who is the co-author of what I consider to be the best resource written on understanding the spirituality of emerging adults called Spiritual Formation in Emerging Adulthood.
Here is David’s article:
Emerging adults often have their focus directed squarely upon the future. Parents and other concerned adults regularly ask them about the five and ten-year plans they are devising for adulthood. They are preparing for a future career and, at least potentially, a future spouse and children.
Photo courtesy of Aaron Robert Photography. Copyright 2014. www.aaronrobertphotography.com
© 2012 Lloyd Davis, Flickr | CC-BY-SA | via Wylio
I have walked among evangelicals my entire life. Raised in a conservative Baptist tradition, my faith changed after I attended a national meeting where the denomination officially separated themselves from Walt Disney, Promise Keepers, and Billy Graham. While I understood their fear of modern culture exemplified in media giants like Walt Disney, I wondered how anyone would call Rev. Billy Graham “evil?”
Since then, I have moved among various denominations under the umbrella of Evangelicalism. Evangelicalism as a movement arose within Protestant Christianity in the 1940’s. The National Association of Evangelicalism (www.nae.net) is the organization which defines and leads this movement. Approximately 26.3% of Americans identify themselves as Evangelicals, according to Pew research. While “the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ” is a stated value of the organization, their divergent views on politics and culture may now be causing the movement to break apart.
Cultural issues like homosexuality, politics, and sexism have been splintering the unity of evangelicalism for the past decade. The organization does not hold official doctrinal statements on these issues and therefore seeks to remain united in spite of their diversity. However, Millennials might be the wedge that splits this movement. The rift is not because Millennials want to fracture the movement, or because they hold a hidden secret agenda. Nor is it due to the media’s frequent characterization of them as lazy, narcissist, or delusional.
Rachel Evans, a popular blogger and speaker.
Millennials are sometimes viewed as the catalyst for progressive changes within Evangelicalism. In the divide between conservative evangelicals – like Trenton Wax; and more progressive perspectives like Rachel Held Evans, each holds different views on how to reach and re-engage Millennials. While these and other writers can contribute to change within the church, during the process they are trailblazing pathways in seemingly opposite directions. (see Note below)
Many articles are filled with reasons why evangelicals are leaving the church, including: churches are too cool; churches are not cool enough; churches are irrelevant; churches are too relevant; churches are too strict; churches are not strict enough; and on and on and on. However, upon dissecting these statements, one finds that the focus often shifts from young adults themselves onto the cultural war happening within Evangelicalism.
Our desire to reach Millennials may become the wedge that will split us. The progressives are yelling, “Well, if you would stop living in the past…” while conservatives shout back, “If you would stop conforming to the culture!” Each side is being consumed by their own beliefs. Each side is filled with anger at “others” who they perceive to be injuring the church. Each side claims spiritual discernment and is filled with righteous indignation.
Many assert that without change, the future of the church is at stake. This fear motivates us – especially when it revolves around our children and the legacy we will leave for them. Unfortunately, this fear often also motivates us to move in unhealthy directions.
All the while, each side is contributing to the fracturing within Evangelicalism, when both should be focusing on the Millennials who are stuck in between them.
Religious communities must ask themselves key questions:
These are changes that conservative and progressive evangelicals can agree upon. May we focus not on the issues that divide, but upon the gospel, and seek to follow the voice of our one God and Savior Jesus Christ.
Dr. G. David Boyd is the Founder and Managing Director of EA Resources, a non-profit designed to equip parents and churches to understand emerging adulthood. If you need someone to help your community understand the challenges of emerging adulthood, contact him at gdavid@earesources.org.
Notes:
In the 1960’s, Wayne Rice and Mike Yacconeli came together to convince the church that ministering to youth was essential for the health of the church. Their vision turned into the organization Youth Specialties. According to Mike, “We sure didn’t know where youth ministry or our little company was headed. All we knew was that God was somehow inviting us into this thing.”
Copyright 2014 by Aaron Robert Photography. Used with permission.
Our culture has shifted in the past fifty years, changing the role of church within our country, the role of faith within the life of the individual, and the metanarrative of human development. These shifts have altered our perception of human development and created a new life phase called “Emerging Adulthood.”
As our world rapidly changes, there is a great need for those ministering to emerging adults to stand and work together.
Together we can accomplish more for the Kingdom. Together we can…
Gather resources, share ideas, and speak as one that we might attract the attention of others.
But it is more than that… we must awaken the voices of EA’s so they can share. Give them platforms so they can be heard. We must show emerging adults that we are listening. We will convince them that they are not the object of our work, but that side-by-side, we will labor.
Copyright 2014 by Aaron Robert Photography. Used with permission.
For in this unity, the church will become all that she was intended to be.
That her body might be whole, and that her beauty might be revealed through diversity as the generations worship our bride – Jesus Christ.
I have glimpses of the vision. I have two hands, one of which holds a pen. I have pennies in a bucket. I know a few people who stand beside me in this work.
It is not much, but it is a start.
Who has hands that are ready to work?
Who has resources to contribute to this movement?
Who has the connections to get the ball rolling?
Who has a passion that cannot be contained?
Who has a vision of what could be?
Not for the sake of any organization, but for the sake of the Kingdom. Not for the sake of another conference, but for our common purpose. Not for the sake of another voice, but a medium through which we can hear His voice.
To whoever has resources, let them give. To whoever has hands, here is a shovel. To whoever has a vision, let them speak.
If you resonate with this call, you may have something to contribute. Please contact me.
May we together step forward in faith, and look forward to seeing what God will do.
Dr. G. David Boyd is the Founder and Managing Director of EA Resources, a non-profit designed to help churches and parents understand emerging adulthood.
Orange is in. Everyone must have it in their wardrobe, refer to it regularly, and show it off whenever possible. Nowhere is this more true, than in the church.
The concept of Think Orange, a book written by Reggie Joiner, states the influence of the church and family working together makes a greater impact than those same two influences can have individually. This ministry philosophy seeks to unite family and church to have a stronger spiritual impact on children and adolescents.
Orange is the topic of many sermons, and many are attending the conferences. Many churches are changing the titles of their pastors (to include the word family), but…
I fear that many churches have added an orange outfit to their closet, just in case they need it. They have bought the book, know the bullet points, and spout off the right answers when the topic is discussed. However, Reggie writes, “Family ministry should not be another program you add to your list of programs. It should be the filter you use to create and evaluate what you do to influence children and teenagers.” (Think Orange, 83)
We have to move orange beyond fad, and into practice.
In order to accomplish this…
As a youthworker, I know you are overwhelmed. It is hard to evaluate when you have several families in crisis and another program to prepare for in just a few hours. However, a time of reflection and evaluation is always worth the effort.
If you are interested in an overhaul, and don’t know where to begin, contact David at gdavid@earesources.org.
I am always behind when it comes to watching television. On average, I would say about 7 years! This past year, some friends introduced us to a new sitcom called the Middle.
The Middle is set in small town Indiana (which I know from experience has a very unique culture). Patricia Heaton is great – who became famous in the show – “Everybody Loves Raymond”. The Middle is currently in its 7th season on ABC. During the last two seasons, Axl and Sue have grown up and left for college, and the show has touched upon several of the issues that parents of Emerging Adults face – homesickness, money, autonomy, financial aid, vocation, identity formation, and renewing your relationship with your spouse as the children leave home. Watching the show will help you understand that you are not alone, and puts a positive and funny tone to all that you are going through.
Here is a description of the show:
In the Heck family, middle-age, middle-class, middle-America mom Frankie Heck (two-time Emmy winner Patricia Heaton) uses a sense of humor to try to steer her family through life’s ups and downs as she tackles her career goals. Her unflappable husband, Mike (Neil Flynn), is a manager at the local quarry. Oldest son Axl is an obstinate young man; awkward daughter Sue cannot seem to find her niche — despite much enthusiasm in her attempts — and youngest son Brick is an unusual child whose best friend is his backpack.
Here is a link that I found where their second child – Sue is calling home from college because she is homesick.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs
When discussing basic human needs, most people are familiar with the work of Maslow and his pyramid of basic humans needs. Maslow’s five basic human needs were: physical, safety, social, esteem, and self-actualization. His pyramid was built upon the premise that when one need is fulfilled a person seeks to fulfill the next one. Maslow believed that people are motivated to achieve certain basic needs. For example, after sitting on a couch for several hours, our physiological need to eat, drink, or go to the bathroom will pull us away from any video game not matter how exciting (or mind-numbing).
Maslow’s Hierarchy up-dated for today’s wired world.
My three developmental tasks of adulthood – discovering vocation, developing community, and establishing autonomy– are internally motivated because humans were created with desires to love, to be free, and to be needed. These basic human needs are based upon God’s creative design. Since each developmental tasks is rooted in a basic human need, individuals do not need to be convinced of their importance, but will naturally work towards their fulfillment.
Humans desire to have a role in their world that makes an impact upon our self and the lives of others. Vocation provides us the ability to be useful and make a difference in this world. While paid vocation often fulfills other human desires (like income for physiological needs and security), it also fulfills our God-given desire to work, create, and design. God is a worker, and is glorified as we follow His ways. Work was not a result of the fall, but the ability to work is a gift (Genesis 3:17-18).
Regardless of your theological beliefs concerning determinism or free-will, thoughts of being controlled or unable to affect the outcome of your life can lead to depression, anxiety, or apathy. Autonomy is the ability to make decisions and deal with the consequences. A sense of autonomy allows the individual to see they can make decisions that will change the outcome of their life. Autonomy provides hope and motivation to the individual to affect our current circumstances.
We seek community because we desire to love and to be loved. Our God is capable of love, and of relationships with His creation. Veith states, “From the beginning, God put us in families, tribes, societies. God ordained that we be in relationships. He ordained that we need each other.” (God at Work, 2002, 41).
When our basic needs (vocation, autonomy, and community) are unmet, we are motivated to action. Our desires increase in intensity the longer they remain unmet. A lack of desire to meet these needs can be rooted in a disability, an addiction (drugs, alcohol, or entertainment) or depression.
The church must seek to meet the needs of emerging adults, through offering assistance in their journey to meet the basic human needs of vocation, autonomy, and community. I believe that church who create mentoring environments focused on these needs will draw and retain emerging adults.
Dr. G. David Boyd is the Founder and Managing Director of EA Resources, a non-profit that exists to help parents and churches understand the challenges of emerging adulthood.
I’m going to say something a bit unheard of in modern times. My thoughts are anathema for most parents. But I’m done pretending.
Here goes …
I don’t care where my children go to college. Continue reading
