The 787 Collective

By Martha Lynn Coon, Director of Congregational Innovation

The 787 Collective is a group of congregations, young adults, artists, and seekers who desire an intergenerational response to the question, What’s next in the life of the American church? With an eye to engaging young adults in the church and through the support of the Lilly Endowment Inc., we provide experimental outlets for congregations to learn in community, grow in grace through failure and success, and strengthen relationships within the congregation to discern if and how they are called to accompany young adults. Austin Seminary, an institution with deep theological roots and a curious spirit, is a natural home for the work of the Collective. The Collective has provided opportunities for creative expression and leadership development for current students, and it is an ongoing opportunity for resources and encouragement for alumni in the field.

Situated in one of the youngest cities in the United States—787 Collective comes from the 787 prefix for Austin zip codes—our Collective maintains a desire to highlight and amplify the stories and voices of young adults and to find fresh ways to share these stories and the lives they represent with the church-at-large. We build on this sense of relationship to develop work that connects young adults and congregations in ventures that deepen love for God, self, and others. We do this through creative partnerships and intentional community building and with grants to congregations. We believe God’s people are called to share the Good News in ways that are relevant, hopeful, and resonant with every generation, and we work to equip both elders and young adults for engaging in compassionate conversations around the heart of our faith. To encourage and develop a sense of creative vitality in the people and congregations at the core of our work, we employ four facets of practice in everything we undertake: Contemplation, Compassion, Collaboration, and Critique

– Carolyn Albert Donovan Pastor of 787 Collective member Peace Lutheran Church