Emerging Adolescence and the Church

Dr. Darrell Bock, Executive Director of Cultural Engagement and Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies, along with Dr. Jay Sedwick, Professor of Educational Ministries and Leadership, and Mark Matlock, President of Youth Specialties and Wisdom Works Ministries, help define emerging or extended adolescence, and how this sociological shift impacts ministry.

About The Table Podcast

The Table is a weekly podcast on topics related to God, Christianity, and cultural engagement brought to you by The Hendricks Center at Dallas Theological Seminary. The show features a variety of expert guests and is hosted by Dr. Darrell Bock, Bill Hendricks, Kymberli Cook, Kasey Olander, and Milyce Pipkin. 

Timecodes
00:25
Dr. Bock and Matlock explain that adjustment from adolescent life and singleness to family life has shifted from the late teens to the late twenties and sometimes early thirties.
04:49
The difference between emerging adulthood and extended adolescence.
06:53
How has the Church reacted to this phenomenon of shifted adolescence?
11:47
Matlock discusses what Youth Specialties is doing to try to aid the Church to minister to those in this stage of life.
14:11
The impact that this shift of adolescence plays in the way one teaches Christian education in the local church.
20:05
The impact over-emphasizing families in the local church has had on those who do not come from the “ideal” family.
22:28
How does the local church balance the preferences and cultures of older and younger generations?
28:15
The challenges and advantages of the “fluidity” of individuals who float back and forth between congregations.
31:38
How does a local church avoid being viewed as just another institution of which one is a part?
34:40
Understanding the three phases of adolescence.
Darrell L. Bock
Dr. Bock has earned recognition as a Humboldt Scholar (Tübingen University in Germany), is the author of over 40 books, including well-regarded commentaries on Luke and Acts and studies of the historical Jesus, and work in cultural engagement as host of the seminary's Table Podcasts. He was president of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) from 2000–2001, served as a consulting editor for Christianity Today, and serves on the boards of Wheaton College and Chosen People Ministries. His articles appear in leading publications. He is often an expert for the media on NT issues. Dr. Bock has been a New York Times best-selling author in nonfiction and is elder emeritus at Trinity Fellowship Church in Dallas. When traveling overseas, he will tune into the current game involving his favorite teams from Houston—live—even in the wee hours of the morning. Married for over 40 years to Sally, he is a proud father of two daughters and a son and is also a grandfather.
Jay L. Sedwick
Dr. Sedwick has over thirty-six years of youth ministry experience combined with twenty-three years of faculty service. He serves on the board of the Association of Youth Ministry Educators and has served as president of the board for the Society of Professors in Christian Education. He also serves as Vice Chairman of the Board for World Link Ministries, an evangelistic, church planting, and pastoral training ministry around the world. An ordained minister who teaches youth at a large Dallas-area church, Dr. Sedwick is also a popular conference and seminar speaker. His research and teaching interests include youth development, youth culture, biblical education for youth, curriculum design, and legal and financial issues in ministry.
Mark Matlock
Contributors
Darrell L. Bock
Jay L. Sedwick
Mark Matlock
Details
January 13, 2015
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