Spiritual Formation in Emerging Adulthood: A Practical Theology for College and Young Adult Ministry

by Chris A. Kiesling, David P. Setran

Overview

The shift from adolescence to adulthood, a recently identified stage of life called "emerging adulthood," covers an increasing span of years in today's culture (roughly ages 18-30) due to later marriages and extended education. During this prolonged stage of exploration and self-definition, many young adults drift away from the church.

Here two authors—both veteran teachers who are experienced in young adult and campus ministry—address this new and urgent field of study, offering a Christian perspective on what it means to be spiritually formed into adulthood. They provide a "practical theology" for emerging adult ministry and offer insight into the key developmental issues of this stage of life, including identity, intimacy and sexuality, morality, church involvement, spiritual formation, vocation, and mentoring. The book bridges the gap between academic and popular literature on emerging adulthood and offers concrete ways to facilitate spiritual formation among emerging adults.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801039560
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/15/2013
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	1,126,768
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

David P. Setran (PhD, Indiana University) is Price-LeBar Chair of Christian Formation and Ministry at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. He is the author of The College "Y": Student Religion in the Era of Secularization. Chris A. Kiesling (PhD, Texas Tech University) is professor of human development and Christian discipleship at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, and has served in campus ministry settings.

Table of Contents

Contents
Introduction
1. Faith: The Emerging Adult Landscape
2. Spiritual Formation: Reversing Moralistic Therapeutic Deism
3. Identity: Internalization, Refusal, and Engagement
4. Church: Forming an Ecclesiological Vision
5. Vocation: Purpose and Providence
6. Morality: Training the Dispositions of the Soul
7. Sexuality: Forming a Sexual Ethic
8. Relationships: Pitfalls and Pathways
9. Mentoring: Past, Present, and Future
Conclusion
Index