Abstract
Containing data gathered from participants from “bright-spot” American churches, Beth Seversen’s book is worth reading for several reasons. Foremost, it is an important text because the American church is in desperate need of acquaintance with these churches experiencing success in attracting and discipling unchurched, young adults. Therefore, it serves as a handbook directed toward church leadership, who, aware of the call to develop pathways toward receiving unchurched emerging adults into their church communities, need guidance. Yet, Seversen’s book has a farther reach because it expounds on principles that can be adopted as best practices for reaching any population. For example, people who envision establishing an outreach in their neighborhood or within an adult senior community will find Seversen’s description of the “compelling community” (chapter 6) helpful. In addition, this volume is a stimulating read for educators. It raises awareness about the reality many educators in Bible colleges and seminaries encounter today, that is, professors find themselves key mentors to young adults who embark on a biblical education with little understanding of Christian discipleship. Yet, students are drawn to a faith community where belonging first is particularly attractive and, as Seversen points out, this is itself a principle that facilitates the journey to knowing the Christ of the Scriptures (chapter 11).
According to Seversen, imitating “bright-spot” churches requires a change in mindset in respect to ideas about inclusion. In fact, the art of welcoming the unchurched involves not just the crucial invitation to belong, but the invitation to also contribute to the life of the congregation. The change of paradigm requires that evangelism itself be revived as a biblical priority and then embedded creatively into “as many ministry areas as possible” (123). Leading a culture change within the church is paramount and requires embracing the concept of evangelism “inside the church box” (173) rather than outside church walls. While pastors and mentors walk with young adults “toward commitment” (27), negative stereotypes about church and its members are eliminated. Moreover, lest a posture of inclusion portray churches that veer from the traditional stance toward human sexuality, bright-spot churches promote conservative biblical teachings while also retaining young adults on the trajectory toward understanding Christian commitment. Interviews revealed that emerging adults rooted in such church cultures navigated biblical learning “with no hint of dissatisfaction or plans to disaffiliate with their churches over these questions” (200). In conclusion, this book merits use in various settings.