Intergenerational Inquiry
Intentional Conversations About Faith and Young Adulthood
Let’s Listen
To Each Other
You Are Invited To Be Part of a Special Project
Dear Parents,
This is a little hard to say, but can we be honest with you?
Growing up in our Christian families of faith—didn’t answer all our questions.
And today, as we’re becoming adults, we don’t always know what we believe.
We know you’ve been concerned.
You taught us so much. We’ve taken some things, and left some things. We’ve loved the church and been hurt by the church. We’re still forming. Still wrestling.
If you’ll listen, we’re willing to talk. To tell you about our questions and fears, our distrusts and hopes, and our search for God.
Growing up, were there questions of faith that you wish someone would have answered for you?
What discourages your faith?
Growing up, were there questions of faith that you wish someone would have answered for you? What discourages your faith?
Where it got serious was COVID
My sister encouraged me
My prayers are the same and it feels like nothing is changing
Where it got serious was COVID My sister encouraged me My prayers are the same and it feels like nothing is changing
Is there something your parents did that helped or hurt your faith?
What influences you?
Is there something your parents did that helped or hurt your faith? What influences you?
I used to ask the deacons questions they couldn't answer
I don't know if I can believe in this
My freshman year was the hardest
I used to ask the deacons questions they couldn't answer I don't know if I can believe in this My freshman year was the hardest
What brought you back to your faith?
As a teen, was your faith meaningful in everyday situations?
What brought you back to your faith? As a teen, was your faith meaningful in everyday situations?
A Project Of
How it Works
Register for Listening Charette* in a city near you
1
* “charette” /SHəˈret/ — a collaborative process to build community vision
Listen to a young adult panel answer moderated questions about their journeys of faith
2
Process the inter-generational challenges with other parents
3
RSVP for Listening Charette Near You
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Chicago
June 15, 2024
Progressive Baptist Church
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Dallas
July 14, 2024
Chosen Vessel Church
4650 Campus Dr
Fort Worth, TX 76119 -
New York
August 3, 2024
Location TBD
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San Francisco
September 7, 2024
Location TBD
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Minneapolis–Saint Paul
September 28, 2024
Location TBD
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Portland / Seattle
October 5, 2024
Location TBD
Tell Me More
What is this project?
This Intergenerational Inquiry project is a new approach for parents and caregivers to nurture their child’s Christian identity development. Adolescence and early adulthood are critical developmental periods for faith identity development, as youth explore the beliefs, values, and characteristics that guide their behaviors and place in the world. This project utilizes youth voices who feel estranged from the Church and those who are flourishing in their faith to design guidebooks that will facilitate conversations about faith development.
What is a “charette”?
From French (and pronounced “shar-et,”), charette is a term used in design and community planning to describe a focused collaborative meeting where stakeholders come together with a shared purpose but different, and perhaps conflicting views.
The gatherings are designed to build trust even while solving complex problems with emotional. We believe this term nicely describes our approach to bringing young adults and caregivers together to discuss difficult matters of adopting and rejecting faith.
Who is this for?
Young adults (ages 18-26) who want to share their story. Our staff directly recruit and invite the panelists at each charette.
Parents, caregivers and religious leaders who want to listen, learn, and embrace honest dialogue, especially those who raised a next generation in the Evangelical Covenant Church or Urban Outreach Foundation denominational affiliates.
Who is behind this project?
The IGIQ project is a partnership with Evangelical Covenant Church congregations and Urban Outreach denominational affiliates to further an understanding of when and why youth leave Christianity, and better support family and youth needs. The program is administered by the North Park University Center for Civic Engagement. This project is funded through the Christian Parenting & Caregiving Initiative of the Lily Endowment, Inc.
Why are you doing this?
Religious affiliation is at historic lows among youth and young adults, while at the same time many church congregations are aging.
More research is needed to identify practices that drive youth away from faith. The research that does exist does not sufficiently include congregations of color.
What will you do with what we learn?
We have planned a 3-phase project
Phase 1—a national tour of listening charettes connects young adult stories of faith with parents, caregivers, and church leaders. Project staff will observe and take notes on these conversations for future research
Phase 2—Observations learned from the charettes will be combined with research on faith identity development to create a new cirriculum for church congregations to support faith-based conversation among families
Phase 3—Church congregations will opt-in to trial the new curriculum with families, testing whether research insights can strengthen communication of Christian beliefs within families.