Defiant Hope, Active Love, Jeffrey F. Keuss, editor. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (ISBN: 9780802883919) 2024.

Summary: What young adults seek in places of work, faith, and community and how churches may respond hospitably.

Many congregations have witnessed an exodus of young adults. But Jeffrey F. Keuss and the researchers with Pivot NW who contributed to this work are convinced that this is not for lack of spiritual interest. Rather, their research showed young adults care deeply about faith and long for the creation of faithful spaces connecting worship, community, and the working out of faith in society that answers calls for justice.

They began by defining emerging adulthood and then researching those in this cohort. As a result, they identified six themes that characterized thriving organizations that served young adults: community, personal transformation, social transformation, purpose finding, creativity, and accountability. The question is not how to attract young adults. Rather, will the longing for belonging, believing, and becoming find a welcoming and sustaining space in churches?

However, the character and level of religious affiliation shapes what they look for. They identified four classes of religiosity: abiders, adapters, assenters, and avoiders. Then, the researchers identified on-ramps and barriers. On ramps include people care for each other; they are involved with the poor and disadvantaged; church is a place to meet people; it is also a place to deal with grief and loss; and leaders including pastors welcome them. Barriers include resistance to change; political differences; hypocrisy and judgmentalism of both people and leaders; and no space to talk about controversial issues.

Deep listening in interviews with young adults turned up themes related to what has already been noted. They longed for communities that actively listened to and obeyed God. They addressed spiritual formation needs of discipleship and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Churches need to be attentive to young adult needs for authenticity, an understanding of their lifestyles, the ways churches have and can wound, and for a God who can take the hard questions. Young adults long for a depth of community that extends beyond the church walls. Young adult ministry needs to be sustainable. Specifically, this means structures, leadership, relational focus, creation of space, and good communication. Young adult ministry also needs to have young adult leadership. Transition needs to be managed well. Finally, intergenerational relationships characterized by two-way mentoring are valued.

It is vital to recognize the liminal space of young adult life. It is one of transition. Churches that minister effectively accept that. People move away for work. Or they mature into a different life stage. Effective ministries see themselves as resource stations supporting this transitional space. They help people live well in the present rather than adding to the pressure to move on.

I’ve already noted that young adults need to lead young adult ministry. The researchers encourage identifying rather than developing leaders. Leadership also means recognizing the challenges of young adult life, which may include provisions for stepping back and sharing leadership. Mentors who can come alongside to support without taking over are vital.

Pivot NW outlines some of the different church models and how they engage young adults. Working in the Pacific Northwest, they address the Mars Hill model and its fallout. They describe New Community and household of the Spirit models. On the basis of their research, they posit that safety, security, and belonging are the bottom line.

The researchers conclude with a discussion of the deep poverty of metamodernism, both economically and spiritually. Reflecting the title, they summarize the thrust of their work as a call to building lovingly defiant communities.

This book is a rich resource for church leaders pressing into young adult ministry. They name cultural, generational, and ministry realities to consider. Each chapter offers questions ministry leaders can use to apply the material. The contributors strike a good balance of outlining research and summarizing practical implications. Finally, I appreciated the concise writing that offered substantive help in 176 pages!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.