A Qualitative Exploration of Spiritual Practices of Simplicity among Emerging Adults

Authors

Falon Opsahl Barton, University Church of Christ MalibuFollow

Abstract

This article explores how emerging adults (18 to 29‐year‐olds) integrate pro‐environmental behaviors and spiritual practices of simplicity. First, this article synthesizes the research on emerging adulthood, including what it is, how they experience and express their spirituality, and their emotional and practical behaviors in response to the climate crisis. Then, this article explores how a small sample of Western Protestant emerging adults practice pro‐environmental simplicity in their daily lives. As a result of integrating spiritual practices that focus on simplicity and pro‐environmental behaviors into their spiritual expressions, emerging adults experience profound spiritual formation and a meaningful way of participating in the mission of God in the world.

Author Bio

Falon is the Campus Minister for the University Church of Christ at Pepperdine, focusing primarily on the spiritual formation of college students. She also co-hosts a podcast called Emerge: Questions that Matter for Young Adult Spirituality. She has her Doctor of Ministry from the Hazelip School of Theology at Lipscomb University, as well as an MA in Religion and BAs in Journalism and Hispanic Studies from Pepperdine University. She is especially interested in the calling on disciples of Jesus to love our neighbors by caring for God's earth.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Barton, Falon Opsahl (2024) "A Qualitative Exploration of Spiritual Practices of Simplicity among Emerging Adults," Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry: Vol. 10: Iss. 2, Article 3.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/discernment/vol10/iss2/3