Tag Archives: Faith

They are not “College Kids”

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Copyright by Aaron Roberts Photography

I recently read this piece online, and wanted to share it with my readers.  Enjoy!

College Kids!

That phrase has come to evoke a nearly visceral response from me. When I hear it, I bite my tongue and muster all my strength to keep my eyes from rolling back in my head. (And then I have to repent of my pride and judgementalism.)

You see, thinking of college students as “kids” is one of the greatest barriers to effective collegiate ministry. College students are physically and legally adults in most cases. Calling students “kids” only gives them permission to indulge in juvenile behaviors and gives you permission not to take them seriously. And that’s just the thing…

Read the entire article Here!

Here are some practical ways that you can stop treating emerging adults like kids.

Collegiate Collective Collegiate Collective is working to elevate and advance the gospel on all college campuses globally by equipping, resourcing, and networking the leaders who are engaged in or interested in reaching students.

The author Chase Abner is the Lead Church Planting Catalyst in Iowa with the North American Mission Board and a consultant with the Salt Network in Ames, IA.

Why I Stuck with the Church – Paul’s Story

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(This is part of a series written by Millennials who have either left or stuck with the church.  If you are a Millennial and would like to submit your work for publication, you will earn $100.  Here is the link.  To read more stories by Millennials search Millennial Exodus.  If you would like to fund our research among emerging adults, click here.)

Here is Paul’s Story.

My household rarely has snacks in it, mainly because I eat whatever we have immediately. However, this very day a half eaten package of Oreos is in my cupboard. And now, as I type, I have no desire to eat the rest. I’ve eaten so many they don’t even taste good anymore.

And so it goes, with almost everything I consume. After playing video games for hours, I find them boring. After chasing wealth, I find that what I’ve gained doesn’t satisfy. These things are good in moderation, but overindulgence makes the desired loathsome. There is a distinct reason one of the wealthiest men in history said ‘the man who dies rich, dies disgraced.’ Constant sex eventually becomes mundane, drugs tear our bodies apart, rich foods become as disinteresting as stale bread. The promise of indulgence simply isn’t true.

There is another way.

Its figurehead tells us to do without, and make do with meager fare. He does not promise power or wealth or fame. The promise of this man is so much different than what the world promises.

The man I speak of is Christ, and he promises an entirely new way of life. In Matthew and Mark, Jesus lifts up the two greatest commandments; love the Lord your God, and love your neighbor. This is what the church offers; a place where wealth and fame and all other forms of worldly glory burn away.

We are all one in Christ Jesus. This relationship with God burns, but does not consume. The Kingdom of God promises an entirely different way of living in the world, one that brings me real satisfaction. Hoarding money doesn’t bring joy, sharing it does. I’m a Christian because I have seen the promises of indulgence fail me and those around me over and over. ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’

Paul Drees Rosenwinkel is a student at Luther Theological Seminary. He enjoys playing banjo, bike commuting, and cribbage with his partner, Addie. He will someday tweet from @RevRosenwinkel.

Free Images of Emerging Adults for Ministry

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Photo courtesy of Aaron Robert Photography. Copyright 2017. www.aaronrobertphotography.com

EA Resources is a faith-based non-profit organization that is dedicated to equipping parents and churches to understand Emerging Adults.  Our desire is to provide quality resources for parents, churches, and friends who want to minister to emerging adults.

EA Resources has commissioned photographers to take photographs for churches to use as they seek to reach emerging adults.

Photo courtesy of Aaron Robert Photography. Copyright 2017. www.aaronrobertphotography.com

If you are in need of free images of emerging adults for church publications(some of which are featured on our site), please contact me at gdavid@earesources.org.  I will email you a link where they can be downloaded.

If you are a photographer that would make your work available to churches, please contact us.

Dr. G. David Boyd is the Founder and Managing Director of EA Resources, a non-profit that exists to equip parents and churches to minister to the needs of emerging adults.

 

 

Making Curriculum work for Emerging Adults

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Photo courtesy of Aaron Robert Photography. Copyright 2017. www.aaronrobertphotography.com

As someone who has taught thousands of Sunday School and bible studies, I know how a good curriculum can make or break an evening.  When I launched a small group for emerging adults, it was difficult to find something that was both age appropriate and well-written.  There is currently not a huge selection targeted to young adults, but I believe the number will grow as churches realize the unique challenges facing emerging adults.    

As you work to make a curriculum work for you, here are some thoughts to help you.

Remember that curriculum is never a finished product.  If your first look at the curriculum is while you are opening your group in prayer (I might know from previous experience.), then you are in trouble.  Curriculum is a tool to help you craft your lesson.  Never present curriculum to your group, but use curriculum as a tool to create something crafted specifically for your community. 

Become a student of emerging adults.  If you already possess a knowledge of the characteristics and challenges of emerging adulthood, then you can take any curriculum designed for adults, and use it for your group.  If the rest of the church is doing a specific bible study together, then include your group.  Using the same curriculum, can build bridges between emerging adults and the rest of the congregation. 

Learn to ask great questions.  Asking great questions doesn’t happen naturally, but takes time and skill.  Asking the wrong question can leave the group silent and afraid to speak.  Asking a great question can lead members of your group to share their knowledge, offer a different perspective, share from their personal journey, or demonstrate how to apply the lesson to their lives.  If I were training a new small group leader, I would rather see a page full of great questions than pages of notes.  Emerging adults want to participate in the group rather than be silent observers.  Great questions are a pathway to participation. 

 

Regularly ask your community what curriculum or studies have worked, and what has not worked.  Your group members have an opinion, and likely are not afraid to share it.  Each group is unique, and rather than mass-market Christianity, they may need something that speaks to your particular community. 

Ask yourself the question, “What interests me?”  Passion (or a lack thereof) within the teacher always comes out.  If you are bored, then how do you expect others to pay attention? 

Here is a list of curriculum for emerging adults. 

Lifeway

Group

Merge Series

Nooma

Abington Press

College Leader

Paulist Press

If you know of additional resources, please contact me at gdavid@earesources.org.   

Dr. G. David Boyd is the Founder and Managing Director of EA Resources and the EA Network.  If he can equip your community to minister to emerging adults, contact him at www.earesources.org.

Where should I start when reading the Bible?

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Copyright by Aaron Roberts Photography

While at church this morning, a friend asked me where he should start reading the bible.  It is a question that cannot be answered simply with a specific book or passage.  I have spent many years reading the bible – a practice and passion that started when I was in 7th grade.

Many earnest Christians attempting to read through the bible begin reading in Genesis 1, and are swept along by the beautiful story of Creation, and the ancient figures of the Old Testament – only to be lost in the middle of March amidst the offerings and feasts in Leviticus.

I think the answer to where you begin reading depends on the individual.  So here are a few questions to ask yourself before launching (or re-launching) into the Word of God.

  1. What am I hoping to get from reading the bible?

This is one of the first questions to ask yourself as you begin to read the bible.  I hope that you are hoping to hear from God.  The bible is not static words on a page, but it is the living active word of God that speaks to His children in a powerful way.  (Hebrews 4:12)

Copyright by Aaron Roberts Photography

Each literary genre of New and Old Testaments are different in their original purposes, and the original intentions of the authors still affect how we interpret these passages today.  The narratives of the Old Testament lay the foundation of God’s relationship with mankind, and demonstrate His care for the people of God.  The poetry of the Psalms reveals the anguish of the human heart, and the reality of human passion, yet weakness to follow God.  The prophets reveal a God who in the midst of darkness is calling to lost humankind.  Narratives from the gospels show the character of Jesus, and the one whom we aspire to imitate.  The epistles challenge and encourage the communities of God.

There are other reasons to read the bible, but we must remember that the primary reason is to connect with the Author.

2.  How much do I already know about the bible?

The bible is a complex story, and it is not the easiest book to understand.  While I believe each book is important, some books I still don’t understand after many years of study.  Many people suggest that those with a limited knowledge of the bible should start with books like John, Romans, or Genesis.

 

3.  What are my biggest obstacles to reading the bible?

People have various reasons for not reading the bible.  If a major obstacle is time, then I would encourage you to start with smaller passages rather than trying to read through the entire passage.  If reading is not your favorite activity, then find a version that you find easy to understand.

4.  What most interests you about the bible?

People read and study things that spark their interest.  Do not feel guilty on focusing on passages of scripture that feed your soul.  Fuel what interests you in the bible, and allow them to lead you into new avenues.

5.  What tools could help me?

There are so many great tools to help you as you seek to read God’s word.  A few examples include:  digital bibles (complete with yearly reading plans), daily bibles or reading checklists, chronological bibles, printed devotionals (I would suggest classics like – My Utmost for His Highest or Daily in His Presence), or sign up for an online devotional that arrives in your inbox each morning.  There are a variety of tools so pick one that you think will work for you.

6.  Who would you be reading the bible with?

The majority of the bible was written to be understood and applied within a community.  While you may not be reading side-by-side with someone, ask yourself who could you incorporate into your spiritual journey so that “iron can sharpen iron.”  It is a great idea to discuss what you are reading with your wife, children, a bible study, or other Christians in order to share how it applies to your life.
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Copyright by Aaron Roberts Photography

David - Prof 2Dr. G. David Boyd is the Founder and Managing Director of EA Resources, a non-profit designed to equip parents and churches to minister to the needs of emerging adults.

Top Ten Blog Posts of 2016

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While many are complaining about last year, 2016 was a great year at EA Resource (which stands for Emerging Adult Resources).  This year our web traffic hit an all time high.  EA Resources also launched the EA Network.

Here is a list of our Top Ten Blog Posts of 2016.

10.  Establish Autonomy:  A Developmental Task of Adulthood

9.  Fact Checker:  Does college cause Emerging Adults to leave their faith?

8.  Paying Millennials to speak about the church.

7.  The Fracturing of Evangelicalism:  Why Millennials be the Wedge?

6.  An Open Letter to the Millennial Church

5.  Defining Adulthood

4.  You’ve Gotta Love Millennials – A response to the song and video of Micah Tyler.

3.  The Purpose of Engagement

2.  The Middle:  The television show that all parents of emerging adults should be watching.

  1.  Six Steps to Naming your Young Adult Ministry:  40 Name Possibilities for your church’s ministry to Emerging Adults.

Dr. G. David Boyd is the Founder and Managing Director of EA Resources.  If he can help you community understand and minister to emerging adults, you can contact him at gdavid@earesources.org.

 

Adulting: Runner-up “International Word of the Year”

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All the words from Flickr via Wylio

© 2013 Graham Campbell, Flickr | CC-BY-SA | via Wylio

Each year, the Oxford English Dictionary names an international word of the year.  This title is awarded based upon the word’s use during the past year, and how it reflects “the ethos, mood, or preoccupations of that particular year.”

This year’s title went to post-truth (read what this means).

One of the shortlisted words (considered, but not chosen) was…

adulting noun, informal

The practice of behaving in a way characteristic of a responsible adult, especially the accomplishment of mundane but necessary tasks.

The Urban dictionary defines it as the process of doing grown up things and hold responsibilities such as, a 9-5 job, a mortgage/rent, a car payment, or anything else that makes one think of grown ups. (Source)

Various hashtags on the subject are also used including:
#adulting #responsible #grown up

This word is often associated with the struggle of millennials to grow up.  Books and blogs have exploded on helping them overcome their apparent delayed development.

At EA Resources, we teach three developmental tasks which equip individuals to successfully transition to adulthood – which we call the E-VACuation Plan.

Here are three links that overview these three main developmental tasks.

David - Prof 2If I can help equip your parents and adolescents as children transition into adulthood, please contact me at gdavid@earesources.org.

Bringing home more than their laundry – Post from Steve Argue

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The team at Fuller Youth Institute have brought great resources like Sticky Faith, and Growing Young.  Share this great article to encourage and equip parents for when their child comes home for winter break.

Connecting with college students over break: they’re bringing home more than their laundry

Photo by Paul Green

 

Parents all over the country are anticipating their young adult kids coming home for the holiday break. For some, it’s the first time they’ve been home since they sent them off and set them up for the college school year. Home will feel like home again.

Likely, they’ll bring their laundry, too. 

Here is the rest of the piece.

Steven Argue joined the Fuller Theological Seminary faculty in June 2015 in a hybrid role as assistant professor of youth, family, and culture and as applied research strategist with the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI).

 

Sending a Different Message to Emerging Adults – An Example

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The message of the organized church doesn’t seem to be sitting to well with many Emerging Adults.  Many emerging adults are exiting the church at record numbers – creating what I call the Millennial Exodus.
video-ready-to-goI believe that if we want to see a reversal of this trend, then we will need to change our message.  No, I am not talking about watering down the gospel or avoiding the today’s tough topics.  The church needs to send a different message to Emerging Adults.

The main messages that emerging adults hear from the church is that their generation.

  • Are selfish and narcissistic.
  • Are too techy (which is usually described as weird and unhealthy).
  • Are leaving the church.
  • Are endangering the future of the church.
  • Are too young to really lead.

These words may not have been spoken from the platform, or printed in the bulletin; however, the message is loud and clear to them.  They know it well because they have heard these messages while sitting in your faith classes and in your pews on Sunday mornings.

What is a better message to send to emerging adults?  Here is a great example from the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.

 

video-lcmsHere is a Link!

 

There is a need for denominations and churches to send a different message to emerging adults. This message should be well-crafted, simple, and repetitive.

Leave a comment of what you feel needs to be said to today’s emerging adults.

David - Prof 2Dr. G. David Boyd is the managing director of EA Resources, a non-profit designed to equip parents and churches to engage emerging adults. He is also the founder of the EA Network, a community of people who serve and love emerging adults.

Allowing Your Adolescents to Grow Up – Youth Specialties Blog

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We’re excited to have Dr. G David Boyd as one of our NYWC speakers. This blog post is a great start to the conversations he’ll be navigating in his seminar: DISCIPLESHIP BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL: THE SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT OF EMERGING ADULTS. Check out more information HERE. 

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My research among emerging adults reveals that they often feel they aren’t treated as adults within the church community.  While being called “Davy” as a child never bothered me, when I left for college, I hoped to leave that name behind.  Sometimes, the easiest way for emerging adults to be treated like an adult is to leave their old world behind.

emerging adults in the church

William James, an American philosopher and psychologist, developed a theory of social selves which posits that an individual acts differently based upon the social situation and the expectations placed upon them.  In some social contexts, emerging adults are expected to be an adult, while in other contexts, they are treated like a child.  As emerging adults mature, our communication, actions, and words must display our support for their ongoing development.

Here are three ways you can allow your students to grow up:

Read the rest of my post here!

I am thankful for Youth Specialties, and for allowing me to contribute to the blog, and to the National Youth Workers Convention 2016.

David - Prof 2Dr. G. David Boyd is the managing director of EA Resources, a non-profit designed to equip parents and churches to engage emerging adults. He is also the founder of the EA Network, a community of people who serve and love emerging adults.