September 18, 2007
When initially discussing the title
and theme for this issue, the idea was that it would focus on Young
Adults in the ELCA and their interests, involvements and
opportunities within the realm of Ecumenical and Inter Religious
Relations. When reflecting upon language and terms normally used
when discussing young adults in the life of the church, I realized
that the common language used such as “emerging” didn’t quite
capture my experience and the experiences of other young adults that
I have encountered. I discovered that calling myself and other
young adults “emerging” leaders seems unfitting because we see and
experience ourselves as already having emerged. We are already
here, interested, involved and seeking new opportunities for further
learning and growth. We have already stepped forward into
leadership roles in our home congregations, on our college campuses
and in our vocational fields. Rather than being “emerging” leaders,
I would instead choose to describe young adults as both involved and
evolving leaders.
I use the term involved because
young adults are involved in various ways and already have voices
and opinions to share when they are welcomed and valued. They are
active in the public and private sectors, in the religious and the
secular, in the profane and the mundane striving to make a
difference for the better. For example, I have been involved in and
exploring the life of the church for many years and in very diverse
ways: working as a Lutheran camp counselor and chaplain, studying
Greek Orthodoxy, interviewing Valdensian pastors and Lutheran
volunteers in Uruguay. Yet it wasn’t until I entered the MDiv
program at the University of Chicago and worked at the ELCA this
past summer that I have truly found an area of the church where my
talents and interests truly meet.
The challenge for myself and for all
young adults and those that work with them in any sector is that in
addition to being involved leaders, we are also evolving
leaders. Many young adults are still seeking and developing the
best ways to fulfill their interests and vocations within the life
of the church. We are now trying to discern how our leadership
skills, knowledge and interests can fit into the needs of the church
and the world. We are navigating monumentally difficult and
exciting times in our lives while attempting to discern where God’s
call is leading us.
Both of these factors of involvement
and evolvement are present where young adults are active in the
church. We desire to be accepted and involved in what is happening
but not limited or circumscribed in our visions for the future of
our church and our communities. We need mentoring and encouragement
as well as the space and freedom necessary to continue evolving in
our discernment.
In the following newsletter, you will
find information about various young adult events that offer them
the opportunity for growth, experience and knowledge of the
ecumenical and inter-religious movement. You will find that there
are many ways in which you can assist young adults you know in
expanding and enhancing their ecumenical and inter-religious skills
such as through events of the Inter-Faith Youth Core or as stewards
for the National Council of Churches or World Council of Churches. This is the perfect opportunity for you to
encourage involved and evolving leaders in your community to apply!
In addition, you can check the website for Ecumenical and
Inter-Religious Relations of the ELCA where we have posted other
reflections by young adults writing about their ecumenical
experiences at this past summer’s Young Adult Ecumenical Forum in
Boston. I strongly urge you to continue involving young adults in
your work and helping them to embrace their own evolvement into
prophets, preachers and stewards of the Body of Christ.
God’s peace,
Kinndlee Lund
Lutheran Seminary Student
Ecumenical and
Inter-Religious Relations
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