Gary L. McIntosh, One Church, Four Generations: Understanding and Reaching All Ages in Your Church (Baker Books, 2002).
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Referenced in: Generational Issues in Churches
See also: Church Conflict – Guides to Communication and Healthy Behavior
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
McIntosh surveys four different generations from older to younger (builders, boomers, busters, bridgers), and reviews their formative experiences, characteristics, and religious preferences. The section describing the generations is especially good for the three older generations, but should be supplemented by newer material on the youngest groupd, the busters and millennials. His section on “Riding the Waves of Change,” though brief, does an excellent job of suggesting the various models churches may adopt as they take generational issues seriously. He makes good observations on how to introduce change in multi-generational settings.
From the Publisher
The challenge facing today’s church is simultaneous and effective ministry to people of four widely divergent generations. More than at any time in history, pastors must plan programs that will appeal to a mosaic of groups and subgroups. This updated edition of Three Generations: Riding the Waves of Change in Your Church adds an entirely new section on Bridgers, the youngest generation and perhaps the most difficult one to reach for Christ.
Characteristics, interests, and values of each group – Builders, Boomers, Busters, and Bridgers – are explored in relation to the historical events and social trends that have shaped them. McIntosh thoughtfully analyzes the factors that influence each generation’s relationship to the church, and he gives helpful suggestions for types of ministry and worship styles to draw members of that group.
Helpful tables offer summaries of information relating to each generation, including formative experiences, religious characteristics, and methods of ministry. Pastors, church leaders, seminary professors, and students will find One Church, Four Generations a valuable resource in mapping out strategies for relevant church programming in the twenty-first century.
About the Author
Gary McIntosh is professor of Christian Ministry and Leadership at Talbot School of Theology in California. As president of the McIntosh Church Growth Network, a church consulting firm, he has worked with more than 500 churches in 53 denominations. He is the author of several books, including Look Back, Leap Forward.
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