Richard Dunn and Jana Sundene, Shaping the Journey of Emerging Adults. IVP Books, 2012.
Referenced in: Generational Issues
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
Although this volume relates some of the standard research on the difficult spiritual journey of emerging adults, it goes beyond by suggesting a mentoring-based discipling approach for this age group. They suggest that in a relational context of trust, submission, and love, disciplemakers interact with discernment, intentionality, and reflection. They show how this works in the restoring life in five areas for emerging adults:
- Sense of identity and purpose
- Spirituality
- Relationships
- Sexuality
- Daily world
From the Publisher
Between adolescence and adulthood is a new stage of life: emerging adulthood.
Those in their twenties and early thirties find themselves in transition. This “provisional adulthood” is a time of identity exploration and instability in which one’s vocation, purpose, relationships and spirituality are all being renegotiated. Many emerging adults lose sight of God and experience significant confusion and brokenness. Others unexpectedly reconnect with the Christian faith and seek deeper discipleship, yet lack helpful mentoring and direction.
Veteran disciplemakers Rick Dunn and Jana Sundene offer concrete guidance for those who shepherd and care for emerging adults. Some traditional models of disciplemaking focus on a set curriculum to be transferred from the discipler to the disciplee. Dunn and Sundene instead emphasize relational rhythms of discernment, intentionality and reflection to meet emerging adults where they are at and then to walk with them further into the Christlife.
Whether you’re an older adult ministering to the next generation or a younger adult with a heart for your peers, this book is an accessible, hopeful guide for effective ministry to emerging adults.
About the Authors
Richard R. Dunn (Ph.D., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is lead pastor at Fellowship Evangelical Free Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, a congregation consisting primarily of emerging adults. He was formerly chair of educational ministries at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He is the author of Shaping the Spiritual Life of Students.
Jana L. Sundene is associate professor of Christian ministries at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois. She has a master’s in communication studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School with an emphasis in interpersonal and group communication theory. She also holds an M.A. in communication theory from Northern Illinois University. Her prior experience includes serving as an associate youth director at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, and as a visiting instructor to Wheaton College. Jana is on the leadership core of Life on the Vine Christian Community, a missional church in Long Grove, Illinois.
***For additional information on this resource, including reviews, click the bookstore links. Check the reference at page top or the links below for resource guides on related topics.***
See Resource Guides on Over 100 Areas of Ministry Leadership: