A Christian Integrative Perspective on Nurturing Civic Development Among Emerging Adults

Abstract

This article explores civic development and its roles in the lives of emerging adults, and the ways in which college contexts—particularly Christian colleges and universities—may foster adaptive civic development. First, the article presents an argument for the importance of fostering civic development as rooted in historic truths of the Christian faith and integrated with a Christian worldview. Second, several exemplary programs at Christian colleges and universities that are successfully engaged in promoting civic development among students are described. Finally, a number of specific practical suggestions for Christian higher educational professionals who work with emerging adult students and who are concerned with encouraging positive civic formation are proposed.