STEWARDSHIP FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

1. STEWARDSHIP FOR THE NEXT GENERATION BEYOND THE MISSION TRIP

2. One size does not fit all • Traditionalists born 1925-42 • Depression, WW II & Korea • Fiscally conservative, disciplined, self-sacrificing, loyal, trust the system, delayed gratification • Support the church – because that is what you due “Pay your dues” • Leaders, appeals to make to budget, respond to challenge and commitment appeals

3. Baby Boomers 1943-61 • Vietnam War, Watergate, Civil Rights movement, assassinations • Personal growth, breath the rules, slight distrust of authority, hold institutions accountable • Give to people, rather than programs • Compassion – be a hero through money, make a difference

4. Gen X - 1962-1978 • Gulf War, Columbine, two recessions • High divorce rates among parents • AIDs • Greed is good • Pragmatic, skeptical, distrust authority • Want fun and flexibility at work, entrepreneurial

5. NEXT Generation – Emerging Adults 1979-1998 • 9/11, globalization, computers since birth • Iraq war Afghanistan • Child-focused families, close to parents (some helicopter), • Reality TV • Optimistic, well educated, idealistic and practical, expects change and diversity, social networkers, • Socially, politically eco-conscious • Community focused, but individualistic

6. NEXT Generation – National Study of Youth and Religion • Soul Searching, Souls in Transition, Lost in Transition • 3370 youth from 17-29 beginning in 2003-2013 • Emerging adults – delayed responsibilities

7. Insights • Generalizations: • Intense identity exploration, instability, a focus on self, feeling in limbo or transition, a sense of possibility, opportunity hope for future • Also a sense of transience, confusion, anxiety, conflict, self-obsession, melodrama • Can feel overwhelmed by tasks and responsibilities they need to learn

8. Moral relativism – right, wrong as easy to see based on subjective, intuitive feelings likely based on early deeply ingrained moral values • The authority for one beliefs and actions is one’s self. Responsibility, obligation are coercive words • Consumerism is good, entitled to buy/consume whatever they want without limit, spending and stuff a source of great satisfaction

9. Helping others is an optional personal choice • Lesser – we are responsible for each other • Volunteering and giving someday, maybe • Don’t expect to change the world • Lesser – we can change the world.

10. Religion • Shared central principles of religion are good • Real point of religion is making good people, so congregations are elementary school for forming values and is for kids • Family’s faith is associated with dependence, not being an independent adult • Congregations are not a place of real social belonging

11. 6 major religious types- Committed Traditionalists • Embrace strong religious faith • Articulate beliefs, actively practice established faith traditions • Focus on inner piety and personal moral integrity (not social justice) • Faith is privatized • 15% emerging adults

12. Selective Adherents • Believe, perform certain aspects, but not others • Less serious/consistent • Fairly solid religious upbringing but discriminate about things they see as outdated – worship attendance, teachings on sex, drugs, birth control, doctrine of Trinity • Faith is very compartmentalized • 30% of emerging adults

13. Spiritually Open • Receptive and mildly interested in some spiritual, religious matters • Skeptical, critical to some forms, open to others • Some kind of higher power. • “There’s probably something more out there” • 15% of emerging adults

14. Religiously indifferent • Neither care to practice nor oppose it. Not invested in religions, not an interest, priority or commitment. No guilt or remorse • 25 % emerging adults

15. Religiously disconnected • Little or no exposure to religious people, ideas or organizations • Non religious backgrounds • I really don’t know what you are talking about • 5 %

16. Irreligious • Reject idea of personal faith, are critical, derogatory and antagonistic • Decided against religion • Religion just makes no sense • 10% • Internal without external religion is a myth. Only 7% show low levels of external with high levels of internal (spiritual not religious)

17. Faith factors • Religious socialization – highly religious parents during teenage years and knowing adults in congregation can turn to for advice, help, support • High importance of religious faith in daily life, genuine internalization of religious significance • Frequent personal prayer and scripture reading • Religious experiences

18. Some things are working for Committed 15% • Committed versus US average for age group • 75 v. 34 gave more than $50 to organization or causes last year • 67 v. 40 volunteered for community service that was not required • 86 v. 69 feel that life is close to ideal • 30 v. 54 would be happier if could afford more things • 30 v. 47 things owned say a lot about how one is doing in life.

19. Stewardship • Identity • Belonging - Relationships • Purpose - Idealism • Holistic life • Spiritual Practice

20. Congregational Practices – Growing up Generous • Need systemic shifts • Move from cultural acquiescence toward cultural critique - self over others v. well-being of others, common good, wealth as an end vs. wealth as a resource to be shared. Success in economic terms vs. meaning and value in relationships

21. Immediate Opportunities toward Lifelong Generosity – from individual events to connecting with role models and adults engaged with the world. The congregation as a challenging, nurturing community of faith • Help disciples move from consumers of services to missional resources • From programs to relationships – generosity nurtured through multi-generational relationships

22. From Fragmented programs to integrated vision of Christian life • From Isolation to Connections • From assumed learning toward intentional faith development, action/reflection models

23. Other keys to nurturing Generosity Congregations: Commit to the well-being of others Cherish children and youth Connect to faith and traditions Establish norms and expectations Provide opportunities for youth to practice giving Provide opportunities for youth to practice serving Support families Connect generations

24. What else? • Where do we go from here?

25. Directions for Power Point and Bibliography • Go to wartburgseminary.edu • Click on Faculty (sidebar) • Click on Faculty Directory • Click on Dr. Ann Fritschel • Slides should be up by July 15.