Tag Archives: young adults

“Adulting” Seminars – for emerging adults in your community

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“Adulting” Schools have been active for a couple of years now.  If they are news to you, here is an article that can introduce you to the topic.  These events and schools are more about folding a sheet, but also build confidence and community for emerging adults.

I believe that churches and camps could offer “Adulting” Schools or Seminars for emerging adults – not in a demeaning way, but in a way to clarify and confirm their adulthood.

At EA Resources, we teach there is a biblical framework for what it means to be an adult.  The developmental markers of adulthood are to:  Discover Vocation, Establish Autonomy, and Develop Community.

Besides these main seminars, your church could offer breakout sessions on finances, career connections, cooking, or house-cleaning.

Here is a possible schedule:

             8:30   Registration – Welcome
              9:00-10:00 Directions to Adulthood:  Discover Vocation
             10:15-11:00 Seminar Sessions
              11:15- 12:15 Directions to Adulthood:  Establish Autonomy
              12:30-1:30 Lunch
               1:30 – 2:15   Seminar Sessions
                2:30 – 3:30   Directions to Adulthood:  Develop Community
               3:45 – 4:30   Seminar Sessions

If you are interested in discussing, how your community could host an Adulting Seminar, please contact Dr. Boyd at gdavid@earesources.org.

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

“Adulting” Schools – for Emerging Adults

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“Adulting” almost became the international word of the years.  Some schools have popped over the country in order to teach emerging adults how to be an adult.  I believe churches could also offer “adulting” seminars and conferences.  If your community is interested, you can contact me at gdavid@earesources.org.

It’s not that hard to figure out how to fold a fitted sheet.
Google it and you’ll get more than 2 million results. There are more than 35,000 results on YouTube, with the top video clocking more than 15 million views.
But it is one of those basic life skills that, along with cooking dinner, figuring out health insurance or changing a flat tire, falls within the world of “adulting” — a self-deprecating term to describe the vast universe of things millennials should know how to do but probably don’t. The Adulting School says it’s not their fault, and wants to help them figure it out.

Here is the rest of the article. 

Processing Pain in Emerging Adulthood

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Copyright 2016 EA Resources. Please contact for permission to use.

Throughout my life and ministry, I have observed people in various life stages (childhood, adolescence, emerging adulthood, adulthood) experience deep pain.  It is especially wrenching to see little children go through pain.  While some say that children are resilient to pain, could the limited reaction of children (their resilience) to pain be due to their ability to fully process it?  

Pain and suffering affect any individual’s development, regardless of their age; however, feelings aren’t always processed immediately when the tragedy occurs.  Painful events and trauma often circle back into our lives, especially while transitioning to new stages of development.  

As children grow and mature, we must understand that traumatic incidents will be processed at differing stages.  Let’s imagine that a young boy named Billy was a victim of physical abuse which happened when he was five years old.  A child might process this event at different ages based upon his cognitive, emotional, social, and spiritual development; For example: (Please note: listed ages are relative.)  

At 4 – Dad hit me.  It hurt.  

At 8 – Dad hit me.  It hurt.  Dad was angry.  I am scared.  (The child has developed the ability to identify emotions within themselves and others.) 

At 12 – Dad hit me.  It hurt.  Dad was angry.  Dad doesn’t love me.  I am scared of Dad.  I am angry.  (The child developed the ability to recognize cause and effect, and abstract concepts.)

At 15 – Dad hit me.  It hurt.  Dad was angry.  Dad doesn’t love me.  I am scared of Dad.  I am angry.  I feel confused about my emotions and reactions towards my dad and mom.  My dad had other options.  My mother had other options.  God had other options.  I am angry at dad, at mom, and God.  (The adolescent developed the ability to connect experiences with spiritual beliefs, to use complex rationality, and to contemplate social relationships).

At 21 – Dad hit me.  How am I affected by my past?  How has my experienced shaped what I believe about myself and the world?  How will my past affect my current and future relationships with him and others?  (The emerging adults developed the ability to reflect on their past while developing their autonomy, and  establishing a social community.) 

During the transition to adulthood, pain can resurface.  Adolescents once trapped by family systems who either forced the child to avoid pain, or were the source of pain – are now freely able to process their childhood experiences.   

As the individual transitions towards adulthood, emerging adults seeking to establish their autonomy will begin the process of separating who they were in the past (or what had happened to them) into who they want to be as they make their own decisions.  As they process their past pain, emerging adults reflect how their experiences has shaped them, and how it will affect who they become.   

As emerging adults develop community, they make decisions as to how their past will affect their current and future relationships.  The ability to choose their social network allows them to make decisions concerning with whom they will continue relationships (even among family members).

As emerging adults discover vocation, pain can lead their vocational decisions as they seek healing from past trauma, or seek to heal others from the pain that they once experienced.  

Pain plays often a vital role in each fundamental task of adulthood shaping each individual according to God’s plan.  As those who minister to emerging adults, we must learn to ask good questions that will lead emerging adults to reflect on their past.

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

 

 

 

The Millennial Exodus and the Historic black church

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I read an interesting article over the weekend, and I wanted to share with you.

Here is the Link.

Members of Jubilee Baptist worship during a recent

Photo: CINDY HOSEA/Staff

 

While the article is not based on solid research, it does have some interesting points.  Some that I do not agree with, and some that I do:

  1.  “Parents have a responsibility to tell their children, to make sure that church is not an elective. It is a must.”
  2. “They’re important to the life of the ministry; they’re the next generation.”
  3. “they don’t see the church as relevant and so as a result, there’s been a falling away.”
  4. “Leaders have to let youth know the church is still relevant.”
  5. “I think my generation’s parenting has not given that demand of youth going to church.”
  6. “Churches spend too much time trying to be all things to all people and trying to become wealthy megachurches.”

What comments from the list do you disagree with?

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

 

Preparing for Adolescence/Directions to Adulthood Seminars

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I am excited about my double-header workshops for parents.  Both workshops tie into my parental E-VAC Plan (or how to one day get them to evacuate!)  The E-VAC plan focuses on the three developmental tasks of adulthood:  Vocation, Autonomy, and Community.

 

These seminars are designed for parents of children, adolescents, and emerging adults, who want to understand more about human development, and how to prepare their children for the Journey Ahead.

Here are the workshop descriptions:

Preparing for Adolescence:

We will examine the facts and fables of human adolescence.  You will gain an understanding of the developmental characteristics of adolescents and discuss how to equip them for adulthood.  We will discuss practical methods of impacting your child’s spiritual development that will give them a faith that will stick beyond high school.  You will walk away feeling equipped and encouraged in your own journey as a parent.       

Directions to Adulthood – Preparing them for the Journey Ahead

Why does it seem that adolescents are taking longer to grow up?  We will examine the causes of delayed development, and solutions being proposed.  We will examine the biblical basis of adulthood, and how parents can help adolescents successfully move forward.  This seminar will help you better understand your children, and encourage you during this new phase of parenting.      

If you are interested in having Dr. Boyd come and speak to your community, please contact him at gdavid@earesources.org.

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.

 

 

Curriculum List for Emerging Adults

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Here is a list of curriculums for emerging adults.  Need some help picking some curriculum?  Here are some helpful hints.   

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, please contact him at gdavid@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.