Shaping the Journey of Emerging Adults - by Richard R Dunn & Jana L Sundene (Paperback)

About the Book

In this book veteran disciplemakers Rick Dunn and Jana Sundene offer concrete guidance for those who shepherd and care for emerging adults, emphasizing 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.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"It is a fact that today's emerging twentysomethings face challenges never imagined by their parents. Discipling them has never been more urgent. For these reasons, Shaping the Journey of Emerging Adults is a timely book. Jana and Rick offer a way beyond fads into the depths of life in Christ for young adults. If we the church would face the future, we must read this book."

"Restless, entitled, bloated self-esteem--pick your pejorative. Commentators have slung them all at those born between 1980 and 2000. Amid this barrage, how refreshing to encounter Shaping the Journey of Emerging Adults. Rather than throwing stones, the authors extend a hand by showing how to guide and disciple twentysomethings. This book is crammed with wisdom and couldn't have come at a better time. Indispensable reading for anyone who loves the younger generation."

"When it comes to young adults, the American church seems to be stuck between handwringing ("Why are there no twentysomethings in our church?") and finger pointing ("Why don't those people grow up?"). Neither of these responses are particularly helpful. Thankfully, Sundene and Dunn sidestep this lose-lose response and suggest a relational approach, not a program. Shaping the Journey of Emerging Adults is praxis at its best: well-researched and theologically informed, yet real-world practical."

"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, hopefuly guide for effective ministry to emerging adults."

About the Author

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 College, Trinity International University, in Deerfield, Illinois. She serves on the leadership core of Life on the Vine Christian Community, a missional church in Long Grove, Illinois. She has contributed to Christian Education Journal, The Complete Book of Youth Ministry and Reaching a Generation for Christ.