P-20 The Beyond Beliefs Study, Cohort 1: An investigation into the knowledge and attitudes Young Adults have of the 28 Beliefs of Adventism

Buller Hallway

At present, it is relatively unknown how young adults who identify as Seventh-day Adventists really feel about each of the official 28 Beliefs of Adventism. The first cohort of the Beyond Beliefs Study asked a sample of young adults who were undertaking RELT225 Doctrines of Adventist Faith to write a 150 word response to each of the 28 Beliefs of Adventism. From these responses researchers identified what aspects of these beliefs resonate (both positively and negatively) with this demographic group. Two demographic inventories were also administered. These instruments also identified a number of sociocultural and religious attitudinal perspectives and the knowledge levels of the 28 Beliefs. Preliminary findings suggest that young adults from the North American Division predominantly like the 28 Beliefs, particularly those that provided either a real or abstract benefit for them personally or had a relevant application for their life here and now. Thus, the challenge for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America, when addressing young adults, is not primarily to convince them of the strengths of the 28 Beliefs of Adventism, but rather, to demonstrate how each belief benefits them and can be applied in their lives right now. Additional cohorts for the Beyond Beliefs study will be added in the Fall 2013 and Spring 2014 semesters.