I have recently been working through a new book by Drs. David P. Setran and Chris A. Kiesling entitled "Spiritual Formation in Emerging Adulthood," that aims to explore the highs and lows, the good and the bad, associated with the spiritual formation of emerging adults. Now, if you are unfamiliar with the term "emerging adult," very simply, it is a term coined in the past decade by sociologists, among other professions (we college ministers love it), to describe the new life stage among people that has, for lack of a better term, emerged in our society. This is the time period of delayed adulthood, roughly the ages of 18-30, where college-aged people are putting off the normal identifiers of adulthood, such as marriage, children, permanent jobs, and home ownership, for the likes of continued education, career pursuits, life experiences, and living with their parents. (Don't believe me? Check out this recent BBC article about the over 25% of emerging adults in the UK who still live with their parents) The book talks about a variety of factors that influence spiritual formation in this age bracket, but I especially devoured the chapter on Church.
When I was a college student, I was fortunate enough to be working in a church as a Youth Director, so I did not really have the freedom that comes with waking up on a Sunday morning after staying up late with my roommates and having to choose whether or not I wanted to go to church (for which I am eternally grateful, as I am certain so is my mother). Yet, for the first time in their lives, 20 somethings have the choice of whether or not they want to go to church. Sadly, those of us in the Church have less than succeeded in providing adequately for the desires of college-aged young adults, and I am not just talking about contemporary worship. I am speaking about intellectual depth that matches the academic enrichment they are receiving on a college campus; a chance to participate in service, social justice, and outreach minded activities; as well as leadership opportunities that foster the expression and the cultivation of individual gifts. So, why should emerging adults be actively involved in a local church rather than becoming "nomads" from the Church as David Kinnaman suggests?
I would suggest to you it is for the relationships that can be formed from what Drs. Setran and Kiesling refer to as the "unchosen community." A significant number of the relationships that emerging adults form are self-chosen settings, a group of peers who reflect their own personalities and interests. But when given the chance to be a part of an "unchosen community" like that of a local church, emerging adults are "thrust into situations in which they must care for and learn from those who are quite unlike them in age, social status, or personality. Joining a local body entails a commitment to love a group of people who will be annoying, uncool, physically or mentally deficient, and broken." (Setran & Kiesling 98).
One of the most beautiful aspects of being a part of a local church is that it serves as a small glimpse of what the future fullness of God's kingdom will look like when every knee will bow and every tongue confess. The Body of Christ is not made up of people just like us. It is older people and children, businesswomen and factory workers, travel enthusiasts and home-bodies. It is also made up of people who are broken, united under the umbrella of being a people who are sinners saved by the redeeming love of Jesus Christ. That is something that crosses any racial, gender, or age boundary because we are all people in need of forgiveness. Spending too much time in a self-chosen community can give us a false expectation of what the Body of Christ is and should look like.
It is imperative that emerging adults participate in an environment where they can learn from those who have "fought the good fight" and are toward the end of their race, but also have the opportunity to make an impression on those who are just beginning their races. Emerging adults need to be in a place where they can be encouraged by seeing different generations using the language of our faith not only in worship, but also in the living of life in the home, in the community, and in the workplace.
So emerging adults, which yes, by definition includes myself (Millennials represent!), don't limit your experience with the Body of Christ to just those who are like you, but strive to see all of the beauty, and the flaws of the entire spectrum of the Body, by seeking out an intentional, intergenerational community to be a part of. And to those in the Church, be intentional about creating a space where these emerging adults can learn from you, be encouraged by you, and work to provide a place where they can have genuine relationships, so as to acquire the skills needed for the living of these days. When this happens, what a beautiful, broken, unified Body we will begin to see take shape.
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