“In a world marked by rapid change and declining trust in institutions, the enduring value of faith and spirituality offers a beacon of hope and guidance,” writes the Rev. Dr. Lorenzo Lebrija, the executive director of the TryTank Research Institute, an initiative of Virginia Theological Seminary, in his introduction to a new research study on a new generation entering parenthood as religiously unaffiliated young adults. In the 20th century, parenting was a pathway back to faith for young adults who stopped attending in adolescence and their early 20s. But those trends have shifted as a whole generation of new parents have explicitly rejected institutional religion.
According to Lebrija, the Young Adult Parents Research Project asks what happens when the “‘nones’ become parents.” The study offers practical data and insights into how congregations might shift their models when it comes to supporting the spiritual formation of families that fall into the intentionally unaffiliated.
“Holy Shift,” a webinar series co-sponsored by the Around the Table initiative and the 1001 New Worshiping Communities of the PC(USA), took up this question in three consecutive online gatherings grounded in the findings of the research project, which was done in partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and TryTank Research Institute.
The Young Adult Parents Research Project investigated the evolving role of religion and spirituality among parents in the United States ages 25–39, a group marked by increasing disaffiliation from organized religion. With more than 4,000 participants, the study provides insights into how religious identity and spirituality influence parenting decisions, values and engagement with faith institutions.
Session 1 was hosted by the Rev. Neema Cyrus-Franklin, coordinator of Around the Table, as sociologist Dr. Josh Packard of the TryTank Research Institute presented findings and engaged participants in the presentation. The video can be viewed here.
Session 2 was hosted by the Rev. Libby Hugus of Resonate Coaching as participants had the opportunity in large and small groups to start envisioning new ministries with young adult parents in their faith communities. The video is available here.
Session 3 was a panel discussion of a variety of practitioners who have started new ministries that appeal to young parents, hosted by Hugus. The video can be viewed here.
The Young Adult Parents Research Project was co-sponsored by the 1001 New Worshiping Communities Movement of the PC(USA)’s Interim Unified Agency.
Beth Waltemath, Communications Strategist, Interim Unified Agency (Click here to read original PNS Story)
Let us join in prayer for:
Lora Limeberry, Accountant, Financial Reporting, Administrative Services Group
Elizabeth Little, Church Consultant - Charlotte, NC, Engagement & Church Relations, The Board of Pensions
Let us pray:
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2). Amen.
