The Generations

•In most ecclesias in the West, there are 4 to 5 generations at any point in time

•Biblically, there are examples of the transfer from one generation to another, with great differences between the two generations

•Psalm 78:1-7 indicates the crucial responsibility we have to transmit the Truth from generation to generation

•The rest of the Psalm outlines the consequences of Israel’s failure to do so

•Examples of Generational change

•Exodus 1:8, a new generation who knew not Joseph

• Judges 1:27, 28; 2:10, a generation who knew not Yahweh

•Ezra 3:10-13, Haggai 2:3, rejoicing and weeping

•Veterans born pre-1946

•Baby Boomers 1946 – 1964

•Generation X 1965 – 1977

•Generation Y 1978 – 1994

VETERANS (born before 1946)VETERANS (born before 1946)

PrivacyPrivacy Hard workHard work Trust/their word and a handshake meant muchTrust/their word and a handshake meant much FormalityFormality AuthorityAuthority Social OrderSocial Order

Generational ChallengesGenerational Challenges Form over functionForm over function Management of dysfunction and emotional issues Management of dysfunction and emotional issues

not always frank or effectivenot always frank or effective Inflexibility in practice and suspicion of innovationInflexibility in practice and suspicion of innovation

• Baby Boomers (Born 1946 to 1964)Baby Boomers (Born 1946 to 1964)

CompetitiveCompetitive Hard workersHard workers Success oriented, and used to status Success oriented, and used to status

symbols and prosperitysymbols and prosperity Challenging and aggressiveChallenging and aggressive Sometimes Anti - rules Sometimes Anti - rules Strong organizers and a powerful block Strong organizers and a powerful block

group in worldly negotiationsgroup in worldly negotiations The generation that is viewed by The generation that is viewed by

younger people as greedy, wasteful, younger people as greedy, wasteful, destroyers of the economy and the destroyers of the economy and the ecologyecology

• Baby Boomers (Born 1946 to 1964)Baby Boomers (Born 1946 to 1964)

Generational Challenges Generational Challenges Competition, conflict and confrontation orientedCompetition, conflict and confrontation oriented Focus on work bit into the life of the family and the Focus on work bit into the life of the family and the

ecclesiaecclesia The attraction of success could make service in the The attraction of success could make service in the

Truth a quest for influence and prestige as Truth a quest for influence and prestige as opposed to community buildingopposed to community building

Rebellion against the past and a discarding of Rebellion against the past and a discarding of traditions worth retaining traditions worth retaining

A dominant generation whose impact will be very A dominant generation whose impact will be very significant for good or for evilsignificant for good or for evil

Generation “X” (Born 1965 to 1977)Generation “X” (Born 1965 to 1977)

Entrepreneurial Entrepreneurial IndependentIndependent CreativeCreative Information and technology oriented Information and technology oriented Not loyal to companiesNot loyal to companies Intent on achieving a work-life balanceIntent on achieving a work-life balance Most educated generationMost educated generation

Generational ChallengesGenerational Challenges ““Work-life balance”Work-life balance” Confrontation averse compared with Boomers, may Confrontation averse compared with Boomers, may

struggle to find the balance between toleration and struggle to find the balance between toleration and the need to confront issuesthe need to confront issues

Can be a mobile ecclesial populationCan be a mobile ecclesial population

Generation “Y” (Born 1978 to 1994)Generation “Y” (Born 1978 to 1994)

Most Socially inclined of all generations Unlike Gen X, they are likely to work longer in Unlike Gen X, they are likely to work longer in

one place one place Can be uCan be unrealistic in their demands Value honesty and involvement in decision Value honesty and involvement in decision

makingmaking Extremely adaptable to a high pace of change Extremely adaptable to a high pace of change The least well read of all generationsThe least well read of all generations Most technology savvy Most technology savvy Work best in teamsWork best in teams

Generation “Y” (Born 1978 to 1994)Generation “Y” (Born 1978 to 1994)

Generational Challenges Social aspects of the Truth could take

precedence over doctrine, with the Word diminished as the core

Their uTheir unrealistic expectations could put people into roles and work prematurely with a deterioration in the quality of work/service performed

The “inclusiveness” with which they have been The “inclusiveness” with which they have been raised socially/educationally could drive an raised socially/educationally could drive an opening up of fellowship boundaries beyond opening up of fellowship boundaries beyond what is Biblically defensible. We can expect what is Biblically defensible. We can expect many alternate ecclesial models or alternatives many alternate ecclesial models or alternatives to ecclesial life, with an emphasis on diversity to ecclesial life, with an emphasis on diversity and/or technologyand/or technology

Their “change” based world could entail Their “change” based world could entail continual ecclesial upset and generational continual ecclesial upset and generational conflict as change is implemented just for conflict as change is implemented just for the sake of change rather than real the sake of change rather than real improvement improvement

Their illiteracy bodes ill for the continuity of Their illiteracy bodes ill for the continuity of the depth of teaching and knowledge of the the depth of teaching and knowledge of the Truth that have been key to the life of our Truth that have been key to the life of our communitycommunity

•Veterans Veterans work work firstfirst

•Baby Boomers Baby Boomers live to work live to work

•Generation X Generation X work to live work to live

•Generation Y Generation Y live then live then workwork

Different Outlook on Work

We don't have to agree We don't have to agree

howeverhowever

we must strive to understand the we must strive to understand the different mind-sets different mind-sets

and and

how each group sees the world how each group sees the world based on their experiences so that based on their experiences so that we can build our ecclesias, together we can build our ecclesias, together

Generations Generations working togetherworking together

Titus 2:1-5Titus 2:1-5