Generations: Congregational

Hospitality for All

Beth Lewis, President & CEOAugsburg Fortress

May 2011

All Rights Reserved

© 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

beth.lewis@augsburgfortress.orghttp://twitter.com/bethalewis

www.augsburgfortress.org/blog