It is not hyperbole to describe our current moment—globally, nationally, ecclesially, politically, culturally, epidemiologically—as apocalyptic, in its sense of “unveiling” the deep fissures dividing people and the crumbling infrastructure of our systems and institutions. It is becoming increasingly clear that 21st century church models will not serve the church of the 22nd century.
The “generation gap,” an outgrowth of social, economic, and cultural forces dating back to the 19th century, frustrates possibilities of fellowship between young people and older adults. Many young adults face challenges that did not confront previous generations, such as lifelong cycles of economic instability; increased experience and witnessing of violence; generation-unique benchmarks for adulthood; significantly high reported rates of depression and loneliness; and navigating digital, virtual, and in-person relationships.
Consequently, many congregations feel (and are) unprepared and ill-equipped to minister with young adults as they face these challenges. The resulting chasm can make it difficult for young adults and churches to see each other as beneficial relationship and ministry partners. Even worse, fear emerges and stifles meaningful exchanges across generational bounds, particularly when congregations must move beyond the walls of their sanctuaries to engage constituents of another generation.
In these challenging times, people of faith are pressed—and inspired—to find new ways of creating community and supporting spiritual growth. Developing these new models of communal and spiritual growth requires an intergenerational transfer of wisdom and innovative ideas that ensure the Gospel message is translatable in worship, mission, and practice.
The BRIDGE strives to create connection and healing among and between young adults and Christian congregations by:
- Strengthening communities and invigorating the 21st century church by connecting the gifts and values of young adults in their twenties with the divine mission of congregations.
- Addressing the social, generational, and theological breaches that frustrate relationships and possibilities for transformation.
- Creating innovative spaces that connect young adults’ talents and needs with the lived wisdom of churches, community groups, and Candler initiatives.
To accomplish these objectives, The BRIDGE is partnering with Fear+Less Dialogues, an organization founded by Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling Gregory C. Ellison II that creates unique spaces for unlikely partners to see gifts in others, hear value in stories, and work for change and transformation in self and others.
The BRIDGE Innovation Hub will convene two year-long cohorts of congregational teams to learn, develop, test, and implement new approaches to ministry with young adults. These cohorts will engage in a series of educational and participatory experiences through the late summer and early fall (Cohort One in 2023; Cohort Two in 2024) in preparation for Innovation Labs in the following winter and spring (Cohort One in 2024; Cohort Two in 2025).
Congregational teams will then discern and develop novel ministry ideas that will be funded by the BRIDGE Initiative. Selected teams will receive financial, educational, and spiritual support for up to one year as they develop their own context specific young adult ministries.
Our cohort findings will be compiled into resources that will inspire and equip other congregations and faith leaders with new practices to responsibly engage and support young adults as they grow and develop in faith and community.
Join Our Cohort
The BRIDGE 2023-2024 Cohort has been selected and is closed.
If you are interested in exploring participation in our 2024-2025 cohort, please read the following description and reach out with any questions. Email BRIDGE Project Coordinator Ryan Snider at ryan.snider@emory.edu.
The 2024-2025 Cohort will include seven churches who are excited about engaging in innovative ministry with young adults.
In September 2024, the BRIDGE Innovation Hub will convene its second year-long cohort of congregational teams to learn, develop, test, and implement new approaches to ministry alongside young adults. This cohort will engage in a series of educational and participatory experiences through the fall in preparation for Innovation Labs in winter and spring 2025. Selected teams will receive financial, educational, and spiritual support for up to one year as they develop their own context specific young adult ministries.
Seven congregations will be selected based on the following criteria:
We’re looking for churches who:
- are enthusiastic about engaging in ministry with young adults, particularly in their twenties
- commit to develop and experiment with new and innovative ministries and approaches
- have an existing population of young adult leaders in and/or around the congregation
- exhibit a desire to see gifts in others, hear stories of unlikely partners, and remain open to change in self and others.
We’re looking for church leaders who will:
- make a significant commitment to attend eight Innovation Learning & Lab Sessions
- imagine, design, and implement creative ministry initiatives
- offer necessary encouragement and resources to the congregation’s innovation team
- commit to the longevity and sustainability of future of ministries alongside young adults
We’re looking for teams comprised of:
- 1 or 2 clergy (including senior pastor participation)
- 1 or 2 lay leaders
- 1 sage-like elder
- young adults ages 23-29 (could include but are not limited to):
- active young adults in your church without official leadership positions
- young adult clergy
- young adult lay leaders
- young adult leaders from community
Institutions:
Turning academic research into practical resources to help make the church the best place for young people to grow
Qualitative and quantitative research on the inner and outer lives of young people, ages 13 to 25.
Books:
Back-Pocket God: Religion and Spirituality in the Lives of Emerging Adults
Coming Up Short: Working-Class Adulthood in an Age of Uncertainty
Emerging Adulthood: The Winding Road from the Late Teens through the Twenties
Lilly Endowment Inc.
Candler School of Theology’s BRIDGE Initiative is funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc. “to help congregations find new ways to engage and support young adults.”
Lilly Endowment Inc. was founded in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. for the “promotion and support of religious, educational or charitable purposes.” Throughout its history, the Endowment has sought to nurture the human spirit, intellect and character. When once asked what the main purpose of the Endowment should be, Eli Lilly said, “I hope we could help improve the character of the American people.”
The Lilly founders viewed character and human development in the context of community and encouraged unselfish concern for the welfare of others. The value they placed on philanthropy, which was in large part motivated by their religious faith, was expressed by Eli Lilly when he said: “Owing everything we are to the past and present generations, each of us must be willing to give unstinted help to others.”
Meet the BRIDGE Team
Dr. Elizabeth Corrie
Co-director, The BRIDGE Young Adult Ministry Innovation Hub; Professor in the Practice of Youth Education and Peacebuilding
Elizabeth Corrie’s teaching draws on commitments to both peace with justice and the education of young people, particularly the development of teaching and ministry that empower people for global citizenship. She joined Candler’s faculty in 2007, and has served as director of the Youth Theological Initiative (YTI) for high school students, as well as Candler’s Religious Education program. Her research interests include ministries with youth and young adults, transformative pedagogy, theories of nonviolence, and conflict transformation. Corrie…
EMAILecorrie@emory.edu
The Rev. Dr. Gregory C. Ellison II
Co-director, The BRIDGE Young Adult Ministry Innovation Hub; Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling
Gregory C. Ellison II joined the Candler faculty in 2009. His teaching draws primarily from his work with the organization he founded called Fear+Less Dialogues, a nonprofit organization that creates unique spaces for unlikely partners to have hard, heartfelt conversations on taboo subjects like racism, classism, and community violence. Ellison’s research focuses on caring with marginalized populations, pastoral care as social activism, and 20th and 21st century mysticism. He is the author of Cut Dead But Still…
EMAILgelli01@emory.edu
The Rev. Dr. E. Michelle Ledder
Project Manager
E. Michelle Ledder currently serves the Fear+Less Dialogues team in curriculum development, as an animator, and as project manager for the BRIDGE Initiative multi-year grant awarded to Candler School of Theology. Her academic connections with Emory University include both a master of divinity degree focusing on theology and ethics (2010) and her doctoral work, where she created an anti-racist model for white preachers to preach and teach anti-racism without perpetrating more racism (2022). Ledder is the co-founder of 4REALS
The Rev. Dr. Ryan Snider
Project Coordinator
Ryan Snider is an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church. He has served as a pastor, college chaplain, and instructor of religious studies. Today, he works with young adults in Atlanta. Ryan earned his master of divinity degree from Duke Divinity School and his doctor of ministry degree in 2023 from Candler School of Theology. In his spare time, Ryan enjoys hiking, running, and being outside with family.
Young Adult Wisdom Consultants
D’Marquis Allen
D’Marquis Allen is an experienced project manager and management consultant with a passion for making organizations run better and be better in the world through innovation. After earning his BA in creative computation from Southern Methodist University, he spent the first five years of his career leading projects across the utilities, oil and gas, and retail industries with a focus on organizational change management.
In 2021, D’Marquis enrolled as a dual degree student at Candler and Emory’s Goizueta Business…
Aileen Nicholás
Aileen Nicolás (she/her) is a dedicated lay leader within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta. Currently a student at Candler, she anticipates graduating with her Master of Divinity in the spring of 2024. Aileen holds a master’s degree in geography from the University of Georgia. Her academic pursuits primarily revolve around religious education as pedagogy and working with youth, particularly those from Latin American immigrant communities. Her research focuses on empowering and engaging young individuals, both within Georgia…