Young Adult Faith Development

The following is from "Young Adult Works" researched, compiled and written by the Center for Ministry Development, 1997, p. 1.13

James Fowler offers another perspective on faith development, one that is more detailed and a bit more complicated...Fowler presents a six stage approach to faith develop0ment. Here is a brief overview:

Stage One: Intuitive-projective Faith: primarily a reflection of parental faith; faith understood through the family experience.

Stage Two: Mythic-Literal Faith: still essentially a reflection of the concepts and beliefs of others, but the circle has widened from the family to include the influence of other adults--teachers, coaches, clergy- and often older siblings.

Stage Three: Synthetic-Conventional Faith: appears in adolesence byt may be retained through adulthood; the security of a community of like-minded believers provides the context of faith; most find meaning in their faith as they share beliefs and understandings with others with whom they essentially agree; their authority is no longer parents or teachers, it is that community of like-minded believers of which they feel a part.

Stage Four: Individuative-Reflective Faith: beginning to take harge of one's faith; involves doubting, struggling with new concepts, and even sometimes rejecting traditional assumptions; not a comfortable place stage to remain in for a long time.

Stage five: Conjuctive Faith: builds on the previous faith journey through stages 1-4, integrating elements of each into an understanding of faith that is uniquesly one's own; includes the ability to see perspectives other than one's own.

Stage Six: Universalizing Faith: Fowler describes these rare individuals as those whose faith is more than beliefs or even a way of life, but as one of total commitment to the ongoing, guiding presence of God or whatever the person recognizes as Ultimate Authority.

Development Tasks of Young Adults, Generation X-- or What Young Adults are About!

The Following is taken from Training Binder One of "Young Adult Works", researched, complied and published by the Center of Ministry Development. 1997

1. Becoming Competent
2. Achieving Autonomy
3. Developing and implementing Values
4. Forming An Identity
5. Integrating Sexuality into Life
6. Making Friends and Developing Intimacy
7. Choosing a Marriage Partner
8. Making initial Job or Career Choices
9. Becoming an Active Community Mamber and Citizen
10.Learning How to Use leisure Time

From the Young Adult Ministry website of the Archdiocese of Chicago

The following is taken from the Yong Adult Ministry Website from the Archdiocese of Chicago. I am working on providing more resources and training for our Young Adult community in the Diocese of San Jose and training which will begin in the winter 2006. The book "The Basic Guide to Young Adult Ministry" is one of the best resources for Young Adult Ministry and is written by the priest who began the Theology-on-Tap minstry 25 years ago in Chicago-Fr. John Cusick. I strongly suggest you check out their website! And let me know what is going on in your YA group- I would love to come out to meet with you and learn about the needs of your group.

Does your parish need some new faces?Is it time to re-generate your parish life?

NEW The "How To" Book On Young Adult Ministry Is Now Available!Fr. John Cusick and Ms. Katherine DeVries have co-authored a book about their work in young adult ministry. "The Basic Guide to Young Adult Ministry" is available from the publisher, Orbis Books, Box 308, Maryknoll, New York, 10545-0308; 800.258.5838; www.orbisbooks.com

Interestingly, in the not too distant past, the backbone of parish life, the real active parishioners, were people in their 20's and 30's. In many parishes today, it is those very same people, now 25 years older, who are still involved and bearing the responsibility for parish governance, committee leadership, parish and liturgical program. Yet, those in their 20's and 30's are in the community. If you want to change that phenomenon and re-generate your parish with some new and younger faces, we have some very workable suggestions...
First, if you are seriously considering inviting greater participation from young adults into the life of the parish, gives some thought to the following:
What is the reputation of your parish?What do people say about the quality of preaching, music, hospitality etc.?
Take inventory - how many young adults do you see participating in various roles as Eucharistic ministers, lectors, musicians? Are they involved in organizations?
In what areas could there be more participation from young adults?
What strategies are currently being used to invite greater participation from young adults?
In what areas does it make sense to have separate, but similar groups within the parish made up of young adults?
What specific need do you hear from the young adults at your parish?
Can we be helpful to you in gathering the young adults of your parish?
The Young Adult Ministr office can help your parish several different ways. Often, young adults feel isolated or overlooked in their own parishes. Two comments are heard over and over again:
"Where are the people my age on Sunday?""There never seems to be anything directed to young adults in our parish."
Interestingly, parish staff people often have two similar comments:
"We never see many young adults at Mass on Sunday in our parish.""It's hard to plan for our young adults baecause they are really not around the parish."
The Young Adult Ministry Office can offer help to parishes in the following specific ways...
Attend a staff or parish council meeting to discuss ways of working with young adults. On occasion, the YAM office has the opportunity to enter into good conversation with an entire parish staff.
Offer strategies for integrating young adults into the life of the parish. We can help you develop a plan to integrate young adults into already existing parish programs.
Help to create a parish young adult group. We've learned alot about young adults and have alot to offer young adults interested in developing a young adult group.We offer a paper titled Creating and Maintaining a Dialog Group.
Help plan a dialog group. Some people are looking for on-going conversation with their peers. We offer a paper titled Creating and Maintaining a Dialog Group.
Co-host young adult activities. Consider hosting one of YAM activities such as Theology-on-Top.
Help create an on-going group at your parish for young adults in your area. Consider combining resources from various parishes - hire a young adult group coordinator for example. More can be accomplished when you work together then when you work separately.
Explore this site and see what the YAM office offers young adults. Consider being a host parish for some of the events. Become inspired by what we offer. We're here to help you too.

http://www.yamchicago.org/contact-main.html