In a phone call with a faith leader this morning, we discussed the \u201cJobian\u201d feel of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting together on the life of Job, we wondered about suffering and how this might be the first moment in modern history where suffering is the simultaneously shared experience of the entire world. We discussed the casualties of both the practice of rhythm and the myth of certainty that many have taken for granted. We analyzed the landscape of pastoral leadership and the likelihood that the coming era will require pastors to help their people navigate perpetual uncertainty. We concluded with a conversation about his young dominant-culture congregation and how many of them, now unemployed, returning to their parents\u2019 homes, and agitated, are suffering for the first time in their lives.<\/p>\n
He pastors a millennial church.\u00a0 The average age is thirty-six and he reasons that the majority are between the ages of 25 and 35 years old. This is the contemporary demographic of \u201cemerging adults\u201d that sociologist Christian Smith analyzed nine years ago (2011) for his book, Lost in Transition: The Dark Side of Emerging Adulthood. <\/em>Observing that there existed a gap between adolescence and adulthood, Smith and his researches launched a project to understand the gap, analyze how it emerged, and explore how we tend to those who are navigating this season.<\/p>\n Throughout their study which included 230 interviews with young adults (18-23 years old), they uncovered five common characteristics:<\/p>\n Smith, et al discover that these characteristics were cultivated by six macro, sociological contributions that include factors such as extended education, global economic instability, accessibility to birth control, and the onset of poststructuralism and postmodernism. The author concluded that emerging adults seem to have a stunted morality[1]<\/a> in that they are incapable of thoughtful discourse regarding neither the shaping nor defense of their moral positions. In conversation with Smith, David Brooks of the New York Times<\/em> suggested that \u201cmany of these shortcomings will sort themselves out as these youngsters get married, have kids, enter a profession or fit into more clearly defined social roles.\u201d[2]<\/a> Put another way, \u201cDon\u2019t worry! Life will mature emerging adults.\u201d<\/p>\n Yet, based on my conversation with my pastor friend this morning, I wonder if that\u2019s true. As we discussed the challenges of pastoring both \u201cemerging adults\u201d (18-23 years old) and young adults (23-40) in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, three of Smith\u2019s characteristics came to life.<\/p>\n While our conversation was about so much more than these three comments, they navigated us away from the \u201chow\u201d of the contemporary church. Ultimately, we found ourselves remembering together why the church is so important, especially in times of catastrophe.\u00a0 Just before we concluded, my pastor friend offered this: \u201cI think we\u2019re learning that we\u2019re excellent at providing a worship experience\u2026in person and, now, online. Yet, I fear we have failed in the work of true transformation. The pandemic is teaching us about who we really are.\u201d<\/p>\n Transformation is what Kenda Creasy Dean is alluding to in her book, Almost Christian<\/em>. Throughout its pages, she asks faith leaders, especially of the emerging generations, to consider our purpose. Is it cultivating \u201calmost Christians\u201d who are nice, morally intellectual, and socially satisfied or people of \u201cconsequential faith?\u201d<\/p>\n An indicator for pastors within the pandemic of whether we\u2019ve cultivated the former or the latter is the extent to which we are observing self-preservation or self-sacrifice in the lives of our congregants. In this moment of global suffering, are we watching the \u201cmissional imagination\u201d[4]<\/a> of our congregations come to life? While they are tending to the challenges of work, and family, are our people getting creative in love in wise and sacrificial ways? Or are they too busy stocking up, organizing #PandemicHappyHours, and consuming the virtual spiritual goodies that are being delivered to them?<\/p>\n While painful for some and inspiring for others, an analysis of our congregations is essential at this time. A post-COVID world in need of a post-COVID church will emerge. While the common experience of suffering will change us all, it will transform those of us who see the pandemic as the necessary crucible for us to become faith leaders for the future.<\/p>\n ~~<\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Christian Smith, et al, Lost in Transition: The Dark Side of Emerging Adulthood<\/em>. Oxford University Press. 2011, 69.<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> David Brooks, \u201cIf It Feels Right\u2026.\u201d The New York Times<\/em>. September 12, 2011. https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2011\/09\/13\/opinion\/if-it-feels-right.html?%20%20_r=3&hp<\/a>. Accessed April 1, 2020.<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> Pam Belluck, \u201cYounger Adults Make Up Big Portion Coronavirus Hospitalizations in U.S.\u201d The New York Times.<\/em> March 18, 2020. https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2020\/03\/18\/health\/coronavirus-young-people.html<\/a>. Accessed April 1, 2020.<\/p>\n\n
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