Generations: Congregational
Hospitality for All
Beth Lewis, President & CEOAugsburg Fortress
May 2011
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© 2011 Augsburg Fortress
2011: Five+ Living Generations• G.I. 1901-1926 (85+)• Builder 1927-1945 (66-84)• Boomer 1946-1964 (47-65)• Gen X 1965-1981 (30-46)• Millennial 1982-2006 (5-29)
The Builders 1927-1945 (66-84)
The Builders 1927-1945 (66-84)
• Wealthier, physically fit, and savvy consumers• Unique formative years: 1930’s to 1960’s
(suffering thru depression and threat of cold war, yet enjoyed prosperity of the 50’s and 60’s
• Conservative—don’t rock the boat!• Loyal• As they age a) connect with grandchildren; b)
think and act young; c) travel
The Boomers 1946-1964 (47-65)
The Boomers 1946-1964 (47-65)
• Formative years: 50’s to early ’80’s• Values: powerful message of idealism, sense
of right/wrong• Empowerment: “We can make a difference!”• Experienced family of origin as a strong unit• Live life to the fullest, unlimited opportunities,
career-driven/ competitive
Adulthood of Boomers1946-1964 (47-65)
• Dual career generation• Struggle w/ marriage: high divorce rate• Struggle w/ parenting: neglecting children• Brilliant in the workplace:
--Define self in terms of accomplishment--No rush to retirement
• Forever young mentality• Free-spirited, boisterous• Comfortable in the spotlight• Consumption-oriented
Our churches are pretty good at reaching builders & boomers,
but….
Who is in our mainline churches?
65% 35% 18% 4%
Gen-X 1965-1981 (30-46)
Gen-X 1965-1981 (30-46) • First generation of latch-key kids• Formative years: ‘70’s, ‘80’s, ‘90’s• Much of their life is about survival:
– Widespread divorce (40% raised in single parent household)
– Parents lacked time to spend with kids (dual career or single parent households)
– Permissiveness (parents compensating for lack of time)
• Mobile society (multiple schools)
Core Values of Gen-X 1965-1981 (30-46)
• Independence/Self-reliance• High expectations of “having it all…now”• Marriage is disposable• Non-racist, non-judgmental generation• Strong female generation (males seeking
identity/masculinity)
A few ways to reach the Gen X generation 1965-1981 (30-46)
• A high quality website as an entry point to church
• More intentional connection w/ preschool & school age families
• Help them connect through Community & Service events
• Inspiring, multi-sensory worship• Authenticity/transparency
Then, how do we keep GenX’rs?• Small groups to build and enrich community…often
outside traditional church settings• Kid friendly worship• Hands-on service opportunities• Educational programs that relate to life issues, such as connecting with their kids• Help them become significant leaders in the church community• Communicate using technology (emails, good website, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
How do we engage GenX’rsthrough & with worship?
Clayfire
http://thehardestquestion.org
FREE!
How do we help GenX’rs connect with their young children through
church?
www.activatefaith.org
How do we help GenX’rs grow in faith through authentic, engaging
small groups?
The Greatest Story Making Sense series’ by David Lose
Innovative Small Group Bible Study Resources
Congregational book club using Foss: Power Surge via FacebookZion Lutheran Church, Buffalo, MN www.zionbuffalo.org 1 of 4: info on their church website
Congregational book club using Foss: Power Surge via FacebookZion Lutheran Church, Buffalo, MN 2 of 4: announcement on their Facebook page
Congregational book club using Foss: Power Surge via FacebookZion Lutheran Church, Buffalo, MN3 of 4: Separate Facebook page for the book club
http://twitter.com/zionbuffalo 4 of 4: Announced the Facebook-based book club via Twitter
Millennial 1982-2006 (5-29)
Millennial 1982-2006 (5-29)• Formative years: 1980’s to 2011• Two events that define this generation:September 11
and Hurricane Katrina• Most adult-supervised kids ever (vs. Gen X)• Raised with strong family ties & parental involvement• Optimistic and enthusiastic
Millennial world-view1982-2006 (5-29)
• Focused on education• Team players• Active in the world: social service activities, concern about
the environment, etc. • “The Giving Generation”: Helping others in record numbers• Digital natives• Active in social networks• Non-judgmental re: race, ethnicity, religion, sexual
preference
Millenials’ favorite communications tool: Texting
USA TodayOct. 5, 2010
But, they also are on the Internet…a lot!
And, use of social media is ubiquitous
A few ways to reach Millennials
• Websites & social networking are taken for granted• Text-messaging: their communications tool of
choice• Many service event options• Intergenerational activities• Inspiring, multi-sensory worship
Then, how do we keep them?
• Regular communication via social networking & text messaging
• Small groups to build and enrich community…often outside traditional church settings
• Hands-on service opportunities• Help them become involved in
church with small flexible time commitments
Core Confirmation Traditions Ancestors
www.wearesparkhouse.org/reform
http://www.reformgallery.org
Engages youth in affirming their faith through their confirmation experience
Congregational faith formation
programming reflects the relative absence of young
adults (or vice versa?)Religious education offered for those: • age 12 and younger = 82%• 13-14 year olds = 64%• 15-19 year olds = 53%• Young adults or college students = 37%
* National Congregations Study, 2009
Some good news for the church…
• Teens & young adults want to serve others• Teens & young adults care about social justice
issues• Teens & young adults often self-identify as
“spiritual”• Teens & young adults crave community
Let us know how we may assist you welcome people of all generations
in your context!Beth Lewis
[email protected]://twitter.com/bethalewis
www.augsburgfortress.org/blog