Adults are not all alike. If we think of adulthood beginning at 18-21 and continuing until death, we realize that it is the longest period in our lives. Adults have a variety of life experiences, and no two lives are the same. Adults have different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, educational attainments, vocational opportunities, friends and relationships, and health conditions. Adulthood is not static. Adults develop, change, and grow—but not at the same rate or in the same way.

Although adults share many characteristics, each is unique. Some young adults are experiencing the joy and challenge of their first “real” job; others are unemployed or underemployed. Some adults are active and fully engaged in life in the later years; others feel inadequate and have no sense of purpose. Some are growing in their Christian faith experience; others have serious questions and doubts about their commitment as Christians. Some experience the presence of God’s Spirit in their daily life; others do not. Some are active and involved in the business of work; others are active in soup kitchens, scouting, and volunteering in the community. Some are being transformed by the love of God; others are preoccupied by the cynicism in society. Some are full of hope; others are saddled with despair.

All adults need to feel needed, respected, and loved. They want to know that their lives have worth and purpose. Adults want to feel useful, and many want to make a contribution to succeeding generations. They yearn for meaning in their lives as well as a sense of belonging. In adulthood, many individuals experience a growing relationship with God through Jesus Christ and find their spiritual needs being met.

Stages of Adulthood

Although chronological age may be used to describe the three stages of adulthood, it is not always relevant. We all know persons in their 70s or 80s who have more creativity, energy, and enthusiasm for life than some 20- or 30-year-olds. And we know some 20- or 30-year-olds who have more wisdom than their elders. Below are general characteristics of the 3 stages.

Young Adulthood (18-21 to 35-40)

Young adulthood begins around 18-21 and ends between 35 and 40. This period is marked by key events such as completing post-high school education and moving away from home. It is often characterized by the willingness to take risks, expand knowledge, and increase creativity. It is a time when major choices and decisions are made: job/career, relationships, family, relocation, lifestyle. These decisions usually involve struggles of identity, intimacy, and independence. Young adults face several critical issues.

Creating a major life structure—creating “one’s own way.” Young adults cannot travel in the footsteps of their elders. Evolving technology and the Information Age give young adults a different perspective from that of other adults. Young adults are creating their own life paths.

Intimacy vs. isolation. For many young adults raised in single-parent families, the prospect of marriage is overwhelming, even mystifying. Failed marriages, unstable families, and shaky institutions force a reality for many that is void of absolute truths. They yearn for persons who are willing to listen to their struggles and concerns and help them clarify their hopes, dreams, and faith. While the need for intimacy through significant relationships is often profound, marriage may not be the answer . . . for now.

The “Dream.” Young adults are filled with great expectations, but the reality of a swiftly changing world forces most to reconsider what the “dream” means to them. Paths to search out meaning and find significance continue to shift dramatically—many of which are devoid of church and faith communities.

The General Board of Discipleship actively listens to the needs, hopes, and dreams of young adults. Staff at The United Methodist Publishing House have developed a resource for young adult Sunday/church school classes: 20/30: Bible Study for Young Adults. Culture Shifts, (Discipleship Resources, 1998) provides an effective small-group Bible-study resource for younger adults exploring faith issues in a relevant context. It is available from Discipleship Resources, (800) 972-0433, www.discipleshipresources.org, and Cokesbury, 1-800-672-1789. The Office of Young Adult Ministries provides an important resourcing link for leaders of young-adult ministries to learn about resources, to connect with related ministry networks, and to pursue leader development opportunities that advance Christian ministry with younger adults. See also the young-adult ministry section of the General Board of Discipleship's website.

In September 2001, The Upper Room launched its new web site for young adults — MethodX. The site includes daily devotionals, information about mission opportunities, articles written by and for young adults, a spitiual advice column, reviews of movies, books, and music, and much more.

Middle Adulthood (35-40 to 65-70)

Middle adulthood begins around 35-40 and continues through 65-70. Middle adulthood may be further divided into Early Middle Adulthood (35-40 to 50-55) and Later Middle Adulthood (50-55 to 65-70). Middle adults begin to measure time as “time ’til death.” The range of interests includes personal growth, relationship development, career and financial planning, problem- solving, and values clarification. Middle adulthood is sometimes characterized as a period of crises involving job or career transitions, marriage and intimacy changes, and identity and dream fulfillment. Reassessing one’s marriage, relating to teenage children and aging parents, managing stress, and adjusting to the realities of work are part of this stage. It is a time when many women who interrupted their careers for parenting responsibilities re-enter the work force. It may also be a time to readjust to single life as a result of divorce or death of a spouse.

A critical issue facing persons in middle adulthood is redefining life goals. Sometimes this includes the need to create a new life structure. Often it involves a new job, a new marriage, or a change in the nature of work life. Some call this the “Midlife Crisis.” Helping adults find suitable, supportive ways of dealing with this time in their lives is very important, as is helping them realize that mid-life transitions do occur. Although perhaps not a crisis time, it will cause adults to adapt.

The General Board of Discipleship is listening to the needs of middle adults as they face crises in redefining life goals. Resources produced by The Upper Room help adults find a deepening relationship with God as they adapt to changes and adopt new roles in their lives; for example: When the World Breaks Your Heart; Breaking and Mending; Through the East Window; and Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts. (Call 800-972-0433, go to www.upperroom.org, or call Cokesbury, 800-672-1789.)

A resource published by Discipleship Resources in 2001 is designed specifically for those in the 40-60 age group. Forty-Sixty: A Study for Midlife Adults Who Want to Make a Difference identifies ten significant issues many people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s face as they experience midlife. The authors help individuals understand the problems of midlife and suggest ways to cope constructively.

Older Adulthood (65-70 to death)

Older adulthood begins around 65-70 and ends at death. It is a time of adjustment and transition involving both losses and growth. Lifestyle changes often result from changes in health, the death of a spouse and/or family members, retirement, living arrangements, and finances. Older adults often have more time for spiritual growth, caregiving, and volunteer work. The increase in leisure time allows many to also explore new opportunities for learning. Although they may decline physically, their capacity to grow intellectually and spiritually remains. Learning ability does not necessarily decline but may be affected by hearing, sight, or other changes in health. Accessible surroundings (for example, restrooms, lighting, daytime activities, acoustics, ramps, wheelchair lifts, handrails) are important for many. Some critical issues and concerns confronting older adults include: coping with loss, adapting to change, adopting new roles, finding worth in one’s “being” (not through having or doing), accepting one’s life journey and faith story, experiencing a mature and integrated faith, and finding ways of serving the needs of others.

In the fall of 2000, the Discipleship Ministries Unit of the General Board of Discipleship established the Center on Aging & Older Adult Ministries. This action was taken as a result of:

  • An intentional effort to support the growing needs of an increasingly "graying" church and society;
  • "A request by the United Methodist Committee on Older Adult Ministries calling for the General Board of Discipleship to have a full-time director of older adult ministries; and
  • A mandate from General Conference in May 2000 creating a Comprehensive Plan for Older Adult Ministries.

Leadership for the Center is provided by Richard H. Gentzler, Jr. (rgentzler@gbod.org), Director, and Teri Kline (tkline@gbod.org), Assistant to the Director. In addition, the Center on Aging has a web site designed to resource older adults and those in ministry with older adults.

The Upper Room publishes excellent materials to assist older adults in their faith journeys; for example: Winter Grace: Spirituality and Aging; A Deepening Love Affair: The Gift of God in Later Life; I Never Found That Rocking Chair: God's Call at Retirement; From Grim to Green Pastures: Meditations for the Sick and Their Caregivers; Fire in the Soul: A Prayer Book for the Later Years . (Call 800-972-0433, go to www.upperroom.org, or call Cokesbury, 800-672-1789.)

Other Factors in Adulthood

Single Adults

A varied and growing adult group in our churches and communities is single adults. Single adults are not all alike. Some will never marry; others are waiting to be married. Some are divorced or separated; others are widowed. Some are young adults; others are in the middle or later years. Some have children; others do not. Some have children living with them; others are non-custodial parents. Some live alone; others live with family, relatives, or friends. The single-adult population has increased 24% in the last decade, a rate 2.5 times faster than the overall population growth. Recent studies indicate that the single adult population is approximately 37% of the total adult population. Roughly 60% of the people who live alone are under 65, and about 60% of those who live alone are women (American Demographics, July 1992). Nearly 51% of the unchurched adults in our society are single adults. Some critical issues and concerns facing single adults include loneliness, resentment, support during times of crisis (e.g., divorce, death, other losses), help with raising children, integrating singles into the church family, and remarriage and blended families.

The General Board of Discipleship provides resources for leaders of single-adult ministries, both print materials and training opportunities. The Board works closely with UMSAL (United Methodist Single Adult Leaders) to plan events for leadership development, networking opportunities, and new resource promotion.

Married Adults

Startling changes are taking place in the state of marriage. In 1980, 60% of U. S. households were made up of married adults. By 1990, that had decreased to 55%. One reason is that many adults are waiting longer to marry. Careers, education, and financial stability are some of the reasons adults are delaying marriage. Recent reports indicate that the divorce rate is leveling off in our society; however, one out of every two or three marriages still will end in divorce. The state of marriage in our society has not greatly improved. Even with all the “self-help” and “how-to” books on the market, married couples still struggle with critical issues related to intimacy, communication, and commitment.

The General Board of Discipleship, through the Caring Couples Network (CCN), works to encourage congregations in supporting married couples. CCN helps congregations establish a mentoring program, matching healthy Christian couples with couples in local churches who have a particular need. The congregation’s CCN team can provide such support as small groups for couples and knowledge of church and community resources, which support marriage, as well as couple-to-couple mentoring.

Ministries with Adults and The General Board of Discipleship: Partners in Discipleship

The General Board of Discipleship listens to the voices of adults to hear their needs and concerns and to discover new ways of equipping and supporting leaders for their ministry with adults. The General Board provides the following:

Resources: All Adults

Resources available from Discipleship Resources, 800-972-0433, www.discipleshipresources.org, and Cokesbury, 800-672-1789:

Married Adults

Middle Adults Older Adults Single Adults Young Adults For more information, contact:

Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., Director of Older-Adult Ministries
P.O. Box 340003, Nashville, TN 37203-0003; 877-899-2780, ext. 7173; rgentzler@gbod.org; or

William Crenshaw, Director, Young-Adult Ministries and Middle-Adult Ministries,
P. O. Box 340003, Nashville, TN 37203-0003; 877-899-2780, ext. 7005; bcrenshaw@gbod.org.

Soozung Sa, Director, Single-Adult Ministries,
P. O. Box 340003, Nashville, TN 37203-0003; 877-899-2780, ext. 7169; ssa@gbod.org.

Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., is the Director of Older-Adult Ministries, General Board of Discipleship, Nashville, TN.

(Updated May 2004)
 

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