11/26/2014

Trinity's Midweek Blast for November 26, 2014

Spiritual But Not Religious

Thanksgiving blessings to each and every one of you!

For the past two weeks I have been focusing the weekly blast on the vision for Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Our mission is to form leaders for Christ's church at work in the world. The vision gives a picture of what success in our mission means and how we get there. Five pillars of excellence drive us toward the vision (See November 12th). Last week's focus was on the pillar, "Excellence in Formation." Today's message delves deeper into a rising cohort within our culture, those who describe themselves as "Spiritual but Not Religious."

What does it mean when people categorize themselves as "Spiritual but Not Religious?" In a study on religious identification, The Pew Research Center reports that between 2007 and 2012 the most rapidly rising group of people in the U.S. are those who self-report their religious affiliation as, "None." Over the five-year period studied, this group grew 33%, from representing 15% of the U.S. population to 20%. At the same time, the "Nones," when asked about the existence of God or a universal spirit, 81% responded that they were either absolutely certain or somewhat certain of the existence of a god. One could take this data and conclude that the "Nones" have not given up on God, but have given up on the relevancy of church in their lives. These are the people who describe themselves as "Spiritual but Not Religious."

So, how does the church reach out to these individuals? This is not only a question of formation among our students, but a question of continuing formation for all who are called to bear witness to the gospel in this day and age.

Dr. Linda Mercadante, professor of theology at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio; two Trinity graduates who work with youth; and an Episcopal priest serving a Baltimore start-up, will address the questions of meaning and outreach in a winter Continuing Education event, February 9 and 10, 2015, at Trinity.

Dr. Mercadante, who teaches about theology and culture, will reflect on the topic in a keynote presentation. She has spoken widely on this phenomenon at various events, in congregations, and for other media outlets. She is the author of the book, Beliefs without Borders: Inside the Minds of the Spiritual but Not Religious, which recently received attention in the New York Times.

In addition to Dr. Mercadante's presentation, Trinity alumnus Grant Eckhart ('06) and Bexley Hall alumna Alice Connor ('05), who work with campus ministries, will lead a workshop in which they share their thoughts and experiences with the SBNR population on the campuses of The Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati. In a second workshop, Jim Hamilton, an Episcopal priest serving a Lutheran-Episcopal start-up in Baltimore, will speak to the emerging church movement in light of this conference's topic.

Trinity is hosting this event because we believe that it is a timely and needful topic for everyone who is called to reach the world with the Gospel.

Information about cost and registration will be forthcoming on the Trinity website and in the mail.

In the abiding hope of the empty tomb,


Rick Barger, '89
President
Trinity Lutheran Seminary