Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Project Portfolio

Degree Name

Doctor of Leadership in Global Perspectives (DLd)

Department

Seminary

First Advisor

Karen Tremper, PhD

Second Advisor

Mario Hood, DMin

Third Advisor

Jason Swan Clark, DMin

Abstract

Young adults (ages 25–39) in inner-city churches of Syracuse, New York are experiencing increasing disenfranchisement, resulting in diminished participation, increased distrust, and a significant absence from congregational life. Research conducted for this project revealed that young adult disengagement is shaped by generational disconnects, institutional rigidity, cultural irrelevance, and broader social disruptions intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing political and socio-economic instability. The findings also highlighted a major desire among young adults for authenticity, credible leadership, and spaces where their lived experiences are acknowledged rather than dismissed.

This project is situated within my ministry and vocational context which integrates pastoral leadership, community advocacy, and professional experience in broadcast journalism. Serving within inner-city faith communities while also engaging public discourse uniquely positioned me as a researcher to listen to disenfranchised voices with pastoral sensitivity while translating research findings into an accessible and culturally relevant medium. This dual context allowed the project to bridge church and institutional practices and contemporary communication strategies.

The Doctoral Project consists of the development of a four-episode audio podcast series designed to explore the underlying causes of young adult absence in inner-city churches. Each episode examines generational tensions, institutional challenges, and cultural realities while amplifying the contributions and perspectives of young adults within and beyond the church. The podcast functions as an intergenerational platform for honest dialogue, theological reflection, and practical insight, equipping church leaders and young adults with tools to reimagine engagement. This initial series, titled Culture and the Crossroads, serves as the foundational phase of a broader initiative aimed at fostering sustained connection, trust, and participation among young adults in urban faith communities.

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