Faith Formation Learning Exchange is a service of Vibrant Faith Ministries
Helping people live a vibrant faith that is authentic, available and affirming.
Learn more about Vibrant Faith Ministries at our website.
Check out the variety of leadership resources and faith formation resources in the Vibrant Faith Ministries Store. Click here.
Young Adult Center:
Models, Practices, & Tools
The Models section is designed to bring you a variety of practical resources - practices, models, approaches, tools, and case studies - for envisioning and designing faith formation with young adults today. We will include materials in print, audio, and video formats from a variety of sources, including examples of young adult faith formation in churches across the country. To select an article or media presentation just click on the title. For some of the links you will be going directly to the website with the information.
What Churches Do Emerging Adults Like? - Changing SEA Project
What kinds of churches do emerging adults attend? Why do they go? How involved are they? How do churches engage emerging adults in meaningful ways? In October 2009, six Research Fellows began studying churches in various regions of the country that were clearly reaching the emerging adult population. We intentionally looked for churches that identify with a range of confessional traditions: mainline Protestant, conservative Protestant, African American, and Roman Catholic. After completing nine months of field research, the Research Fellows have written essays identifying the best practices they observed. Many of these churches focus special ministry efforts on adults that fit the typical range for emerging adults, 18-29, but some broaden their efforts to include those in their thirties who have not yet started families.
Best Practices in Young Adult Faith Formation - Mike Hayes and John Roberto
This article presents eight practices, drawn from research and field experience, that congregations can use to develop more holistic and comprehensive faith formation with young adults today. The article offers practical suggestions for utilizing each practice in youth ministry and faith formation, and a planning tool for reflecting on the practices and charting directions for the continued development of young adult faith formation.
(Source: Lifelong Faith Journal, www.LifelongFaith.com)
Faith Formation with Emerging Adults - John Roberto
How can churches address the distinctive spiritual and religious needs of emerging adults? What does faith formation with emerging adults look like? To answer these questions Part 1 of this article presents research findings on what young adults are seeking in a congregation and what congregations are doing to address their religious and spiritual needs. Part 2 presents a variety of congregational examples of approaches, ideas and practices in faith formation with emerging adults. The insights from research and practice provide approaches that a congregation can utilize in developing or enhancing faith formation with emerging adults.
(Source: Lifelong Faith Journal, www.LifelongFaith.com)
Synagogues That Get It: How Jewish Congregations are Engaging Young Adults - Tobin Belzer and Donald E. Miller
This article, focusing on Jewish Synagogues effectively engaging young adults, is part of a larger multi-faith research project: “Congregations That Get It: Understanding Religious Identity in the Next Generation.” An article summarizing the results of the research project appears in Passing on the Faith: Transforming Traditions for the Next Generation of Jews, Christians, and Muslims (James Heft, editor, Fordham University Press, 2006). This study explores the experiences and attitudes of young adults who are actively participating in congregational life, and how congregations are engaging with them.
(Source: S3K Synagogue Studies Institute, Synagogue 3000, www.Synagogue3000.org)
Approach: Cooking, Blogging, and Faith Formation - Joan Weber
Approach: The Latte Factor - Tim Muldoon
What kinds of churches do emerging adults attend? Why do they go? How involved are they? How do churches engage emerging adults in meaningful ways? In October 2009, six Research Fellows began studying churches in various regions of the country that were clearly reaching the emerging adult population. We intentionally looked for churches that identify with a range of confessional traditions: mainline Protestant, conservative Protestant, African American, and Roman Catholic. After completing nine months of field research, the Research Fellows have written essays identifying the best practices they observed. Many of these churches focus special ministry efforts on adults that fit the typical range for emerging adults, 18-29, but some broaden their efforts to include those in their thirties who have not yet started families.
- To read and download the articles go to: www.changingsea.org/studies.htm.
- Clay United Methodist Church
- Justin Farrell
- Consolidated Baptist Church
- Walt Bower
- The Crossing: Worship, Community, and Action in Emergent Episcopal Ministry
- Hillary Kaell
- Diversity and Spirituality Drive Young Adults at New Life Fellowship
- Richard Cimino
- Engaging Young Adults at a Catholic Mega-parish
- Tricia Bruce
- Middle Collegiate Church -
Grace Yukich
- St. Peter’s Catholic Student Center -
Ashley Palmer
Best Practices in Young Adult Faith Formation - Mike Hayes and John Roberto
This article presents eight practices, drawn from research and field experience, that congregations can use to develop more holistic and comprehensive faith formation with young adults today. The article offers practical suggestions for utilizing each practice in youth ministry and faith formation, and a planning tool for reflecting on the practices and charting directions for the continued development of young adult faith formation.
(Source: Lifelong Faith Journal, www.LifelongFaith.com)
Faith Formation with Emerging Adults - John Roberto
How can churches address the distinctive spiritual and religious needs of emerging adults? What does faith formation with emerging adults look like? To answer these questions Part 1 of this article presents research findings on what young adults are seeking in a congregation and what congregations are doing to address their religious and spiritual needs. Part 2 presents a variety of congregational examples of approaches, ideas and practices in faith formation with emerging adults. The insights from research and practice provide approaches that a congregation can utilize in developing or enhancing faith formation with emerging adults.
(Source: Lifelong Faith Journal, www.LifelongFaith.com)
Synagogues That Get It: How Jewish Congregations are Engaging Young Adults - Tobin Belzer and Donald E. Miller
This article, focusing on Jewish Synagogues effectively engaging young adults, is part of a larger multi-faith research project: “Congregations That Get It: Understanding Religious Identity in the Next Generation.” An article summarizing the results of the research project appears in Passing on the Faith: Transforming Traditions for the Next Generation of Jews, Christians, and Muslims (James Heft, editor, Fordham University Press, 2006). This study explores the experiences and attitudes of young adults who are actively participating in congregational life, and how congregations are engaging with them.
(Source: S3K Synagogue Studies Institute, Synagogue 3000, www.Synagogue3000.org)
Approach: Cooking, Blogging, and Faith Formation - Joan Weber
Approach: The Latte Factor - Tim Muldoon
