An ethnographic investigation by the Changing SEA project,
made possible by a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc

Edited by Kathleen Garces-Foley, Assistant Professor of
Religious Studies, Marymount University

What kinds of churches do emerging adults attend? Why do they go? How involved are they? How do churches engage emerging adults in meaningful ways? In October 2010 we'll begin posting the best practices of churches which are effectively attracting and engaging emerging adults to find out what makes them work.

In October 2009, seven Research Fellows began studying churches in various regions of the country that were clearly reaching the emerging adult population. We intentionality looked for churches that identify as mainline Protestant, conservative Protestant, African American, and Roman Catholic. To read a short biography about each of the Research Fellows and the type of church being studied, click here.

In addition to these congregational studies, two other ethnographic projects were started in January 2010. Gerardo Marti, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Davidson College, is examining the Emerging Church Movement in its many forms and variations across the country and Kathleen Garces-Foley (Co-Investigator of the CSEA Project) is studying the programs offered for Catholic young adults in the DC region. Their research findings will also be posted in the fall of 2010.

Contact Kathleen Garces-Foley at kgarcesfoley@changingsea.org with questions.