Young Adults

With study, care and patience, a church makes a long-term commitment to help one family at a time

Partnered with other faith communities in their city, a small Virginia congregation has spent decades investing in families for the long haul.

By Edie Gross Journalist

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Ryan Burge and Tony Jones: Understanding people’s engagement with religion is far more nuanced than current conversations would indicate

Two of the nation’s leading experts on people who have disengaged from organized religion say that trend is both more complex and simpler than some church leaders realize.

Image link to article: Ryan Burge and Tony Jones: Understanding people’s engagement with religion is far more nuanced than current conversations would indicate

Why I turned my board room into a dojo

When a pastor created a space for embodied faith and tae kwon do in a campus church building, stressed-out students embraced the movement practices.

By Erica Liu Executive director and pastor, Pres House campus ministry, University of Wisconsin-Madison

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Pizza, WWJD bracelets and bad theology: How a church’s youth group throwback night became a space for healing

Young adults at an Atlanta church reenacted their youth group experiences in a safe, adult space. What happened felt both cathartic and complicated, writes a program coordinator at Candler School of Theology.

By Ryan Snider Program coordinator, BRIDGE Young Adult Innovation Hub, Candler School of Theology

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Serving God in the national parks offers nature and nurture

For almost 75 years, A Christian Ministry in the National Parks has placed young people in some of America’s most beautiful settings to work seasonal jobs and offer faithful connection.

By Edie Gross Journalist

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Vicente Del Real: Pope Leo is ‘Latino at heart’

The new pope’s roots in Chicago and his experience as a missionary in Peru are inspiring to young Latino Catholics, says the founder of Iskali, a Chicago-area nonprofit serving second-generation young adults.

Younger adults pray less often than older adults, but that might not mean they are less spiritual

Findings from Pew Research Center reveal differences in spiritual practices among age groups of American adults.

By Leslie Quander Wooldridge Journalist

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Empowering the next generation: 5 leadership frameworks for a changing world

A recent intergenerational meeting prompted a director of programs and grants for Leadership Education at Duke Divinity to reflect on ways to engage Gen Z leaders.

By Elizabeth Tamez Méndez Director of Programs and Grants, Leadership Education at Duke Divinity

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Young women are leaving churches at higher rates than young men

Cultural and societal shifts have led to new gender dynamics in congregations, a study says.

By Shari Finnell Journalist

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The Ignatian Solidarity Network continues the Jesuit legacy of social justice

A 20-year-old organization based in Ohio draws on 500-year-old teachings to form young activists from across the country.

By Jim Sweeney Journalist

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Are young people still interested in religion and spirituality?

The answer is yes, but if churches want young folks to return, they must repair the harm done by the religious right, says the woman who gave the Young People’s Address to the UMC.

By Alejandra Salemi Doctoral student, population health sciences

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