Comments on: More on Young Adults

By: josh

josh — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:03:38 +0000

Thanks Zack. Peace upon you in this new season.

By: Zack Blaisdell

Zack Blaisdell — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:00:52 +0000

Josh, thank you for this post and the two preceding it. Those in college age, young professionals, and singles are a growing passion of mine for a couple of years now. I will certainly check Otter Creek out on the internet and check out what y’all are doing there. I want to do a little personal research on what city has the largest population of college students, young professionals, and singles. I plan to graduate from Sunset school of Preaching in May of this year. Don’t know where I will go there after, but where it is I hope to be as involved as possible in reaching out to those in those life stages.
Thank you Josh for your insights.
BTW, I got your book The Feast as a birthday gift. I definitely plan to read it soon. Heard lots of good things about it. God bless you, your family, and the work y’all are doing. Keep it up! Grace and Peace :}

By: Becca K

Becca K — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 03:43:30 +0000

When YA groups become “extended youth groups/dating network” is seemingly lowers the bar. My ability to function as a positive community influence or as a servant does not and should not depend on my marital status. Sure, it’s going to alter it, someone with a family is going to have different skills and availability. This difference, however, should not put my life, service, or experience on hold. People rise to the expectations put in front of them, and if churches propel this idea that the ‘goal’ of being a YA is to socialize, marry, or float aimlessly, it will continue to happen. There is a wide range of depth of spirit in all age ranges and easily labeled groups.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 02:40:03 +0000

Regarding your “doubt” class: for what it’s worth, there was a class at oc a while back with similar subject matter. i felt like it did not resolve any doubt, but only bring up new questions of doubt for people who previously had none, and even further dissolve the faith of those who were in the midst of those questions.

while i think it’s good for churches to speak to those with doubts, i now think it might be best not in a sunday morning format.

By: josh

josh — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:02:42 +0000

Jennifer T–I think the economic factor is exactly right on. Many YA have the luxury of living in limbo. What surprises me is the lack of “vision” or “hope” people carry with them. I think that’s part of the responsibility of leaders (like TJ @ Otter Creek who embodies what I try and teach).

Natalie–you are right: we know what to do with married young adults but are not equipped (generally speaking)to work with single young adults. Some churches are doing great work…others are simply extending youth group, creating a dating/network service.

Andee: Thanks for the comments. You point out many of the significant nuances of this discussion and I am going to use your comments in my presentations Monday.

Justin: come back SOON.

By: Andee

Andee — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:13:24 +0000

Wuthnow’s 3rd point particularly struck me. One of the first things I did when I graduated college and moved to Nashville 4 years ago was find a church where I could get plugged into a “young professionals/ singles” community. For me, I wasn’t necessarily searching for a church that had all the right answers from the pulpit or the best singing, etc. What I really cared about was finding a community of people that shared my values…people I could eventually open up to and ask those tough questions and learn together. I didn’t know anyone in Nashville, and Otter Creek quickly became the place where I got plugged into and developed friends.

I realize many people my age may not get plugged into a church, but the common thread is that they desire to find a community somewhere. Unfortunately, many young people find community in the wrong places or they depend TOO much on their community. Learning independence is also important for young professionals as well. Perhaps this is where churches/Christian universities miss the mark with young professionals/singles. Certainly this is not always the case, but particularly in the churches of Christ, there is a strong push for young people to find their mate in college and get married with not as much regard to developing people as emotionally healthy and strong individuals. The world outside the church has a completely different view. I think there needs to be a healthy balance of community and independence, or maybe what I am trying to say is that communities need to better cultivate dependence on God instead of other people.

By: Justin

Justin — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:08:33 +0000

Right on the mark Josh.

Can’t thank you enough for letting me borrow that. Really opened up a whole bunch of new ideas for me…

And I think I’m finally divorcing myself from my lockian confines, now able to see a world beyond merely a collectivist/individualistic dualism.

Can’t wait to talk more once I’m back at oc. Another month and a half….