Toward an understanding of churched emerging adults and their relationship with God and the local church

Abstract

Unquestionably, it is perspicuous that previously “churched” people who fall in the eighteen to thirty-two age demographic, which is also identified by Arnett (1998) as emerging adults, are leaving the church in increasing numbers (Barna Group, 2011; Barber, Setran and Kiesling, 2013; Pew Research Group, 2008; Nel, 2015; Rainer, 2011; and Olson, 2008). What is less evident is an understanding of how congregations are or are not effectively and meaningfully engaging churched emerging adults, in the belief that such knowledge will provide key information to understand the relationship between churched emerging adults and the local church.

The research will potentially develop strategies to further engage eighteen- to thirty-two-year-olds; while proposing a praxis which strives to introduce and foster a personal, familial, and communal relationship to God. The research will specifically isolate the dormancy of the Christian Church in the United States of America, focusing on the characteristics that underlie the age fragmentation of the congregation particularly

Thus, we endeavor to bring about a clarification to the concept of a lived/ everyday theology, the missio dei “mission of God” for/through the church, and the praxis of believers (Bosch,1996; Johnson, 2004). The research isolates the life of the church and how it interconnects community and theology specifically with/for churched emerging adults. It is important to note that this is not about filling churches it is about the church fostering a relationship between members, specifically churched emerging adults, and God. What new knowledge will be brought to the table? Hypothetically, the research should discover how congregations are or are not effectively engaging churched emerging adults. We will then attempt to re-focus church to the centrality of Jesus not the centrality of programs.

The following research questions guided this study:

What identifiable characteristics found in the local church meaningfully engage churched emerging adults? What can the local church do about the continuing decline in its membership specifically in terms of eighteen to thirty-two year olds? How does the Christian community find its way back to being Christ-centered and focused upon the mission of God in the world, missio dei?

In short, we found that when these seven key identifiable characteristics are missing churched emerging adults are known to go in search of them and this has led to the current and ongoing decline amongst churched emerging adults from most congregations.

Worship that provides a meaningful experience of God and Christian Tradition. Worship that is Holy Spirit inspired. Solid teaching that can change or enhance a person’s life from both the pulpit, throughout Sunday school, and all teaching. Giving people the opportunity to have input regarding decisions that affect change in the church. Opportunity for the expression of a person’s Denominational Heritage. Churched emerging adults want to be connected to the greater sense of church, in other words, how do I connect to Church history? The use of effective and up-to-date websites, email, and social media are paramount. Personal sense of making a difference in the church and beyond. Sanctification – the issue of holiness in the leadership

These seven areas are at the core the heart of the personhood of each churched emerging adult. They want to know that they are valued as a member of the congregation that their opinion matters yes but more importantly is the leadership thinking through the most important things: Worship, Teaching (i.e. Sunday School), Prayer, Leadership, Church Heritage/ Denomination, Outreach, Service, Sanctification, and are they up to date on their Communication. These are the things that matter to the churched emerging adults and without them they are leaving the church and finding them at a church that takes them into account. Thus, churches must strive to be inclusive and promote missio dei, the mission of God instead of the latest program or trying to put on the best “show.”