Kissing in the Chapel, Praying in the Frat House: Wrestling with Faith and College

by Adam J. Copeland (Editor), Taylor Brorby (Contributor), Mary Ellen Jebbia (Contributor)

College is a time to learn, explore, and grow, but what does faith have to do with it? In this collection of essays, gifted writers in their twenties and early thirties reflect on their college years by telling stories--some hilarious, some heart-wrenching--on the intersection of faith and college.

At a time when so much is written about young adults but not by young adults, this collection allows writers to reveal their college experience in their own voice, sharing, through reflection on their own joys and sorrows, unique insight into students' experience of college. Themes include negotiating identity, sex and sexuality, discerning the future, studying abroad, and transitions in faith.

This collection includes stories from large public universities and small, faith-related colleges. Perfect for faith leaders, college administrators, study groups, young adults, and anyone who loves a college student, Kissing in the Chapel, Praying in the Frat House reveals college struggles that help us reflect on faith and life in college, and forever. --Rob Fohr, Mission Catalyst, Presbyterian Mission Agency

217 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 5, 2014

About the author

Adam J. Copeland teaches in the religion department at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota where he serves as Faculty Director for Faith and Leadership. He is the editor of Kissing in the Chapel, Praying in the Frat House: Wrestling with Faith and College (Rowman & Littlefield, 2014). A scholar and practitioner of new media and religion, his work has appeared The Christian Century, Working Preacher, The Huffington Post, Religion Dispatches and as more than ten book chapters. Connect with Adam at http://adamjcopeland.com and on Twitter @ajc123.

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is about as eclectic a volume as you'll get from a Christocentric perspective. The book is a collection of essays by recently-out-of-college writers describing their faith journey over their academic lives. From those who become agnostic to raging liberals to mystics to Calvinist and conservatives, you get the broad read of how the college years are times of exploration and owning one's own God moments. Some are shockingly honest; others predictably bland. As such, for me, it was an OK read.

My reason for picking up this volume were two fold. First, the title interested me. Second, as I seek material to give to students (I served almost 30 years working with teens and often work on campus as an adjunct), this looked to be a potentially good read. Indeed, for one on the journey into higher education, it raises good questions and can be a helpful resource.

[NCMA · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful candid look at the real stories happening on college campuses today. This is easy to read, and helpful to gain perspective on the experiences of today's college students and how they wrestle and engage their faith tradition.

[Erin Goettsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with any collection of essays, some of these are better than others, but for the most part they are much lovelier than I was expecting. These are new stories and narratives we haven't all heard before, told with theological nuance and honest emotion. The "discussion questions" at the end of each section are a bit patronizing, but once I got in the habit to just gloss past those, this was a great read.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I kept wanting to love these essays. I appreciate the hard work of the writers, but the essays often lacked focus, and true religious desire. Not sure how essays were requested but would have preferred more work with the writers to zero in better on a direction and a point to be made.

On the good side the editors do a nice job with chapters of essays, diversity of opinion, and the struggles of doubt. Worth reading.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different authors, different styles, different themes. I'm looking forward to the group discussion on this. The college years can be an important part of a faith journey, and this book discusses a wide variety of expepriences.

[Mills College Library]

248.834 K618 2015