Nick Bogardus

Eric Mason

Notre Dame sociologist Christian Smith has studied Millenials (18-29) extensively. In his book, Souls in Transition, he found that a few of defining characteristics of this generation are that life is marked by transitions and incessant change, that there is a focus on going from dependance to independence and standing on one’s own feet, and that in the midst of the pace of change in their lives there is ‘so much to figure out’ - skills, tasks, responsibilities - to keep moving forward.

Eric Mason, lead pastor at Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia, recently spoke directly and helpfully at how to minister in transient populations in an article at the Resurgence.  Here are his main points:

1. The importance of patience. People are becoming more process-oriented and need a place to work through worldview-transforming information with God’s people. 
2. Commitment to community formation. Being positionally connected to the body through the gospel does not make a person functionally connected to God’s people. It is the beginning and an empowering mechanism of true and practical knitting. People have to want to be with one another (2 Corinthians 6:11-13). 
3. Help people face what they are running from. Stability is scary to many of us, although we know we need it. Slowing down helps us face places in our soul where Jesus’ functional rule has not yet conquered. Running only postpones the inevitable.  
4. Dealing with natural and spiritual maturity equally.Although all things in our life should be viewed through a spiritual lens, it is helpful to work through some distinctions. Emotional, volitional, intellectual, geographical, financial, sexual, and relational health is a must to help people grow in Jesus. While not a comprehensive list, these are the greatest obstacles that impede people from stability. Ephesians 4:15 calls us to grow up in all respects—a phenomenal challenge for transient people. 
5. Recognizing that people ultimately belong to God. Some people will remain for a season. Our goal must be to do as much as we can to love them and engage them in the season when Jesus has allowed them to cross our paths. God ultimately is sovereign over people’s life span and direction. 

Read the entire article at the Resurgence.