One Church, Four Generations : Understanding and Reaching All Ages in Your Church

by McIntosh, Gary L.

• ISBN13: 9780801091377
• ISBN10: 0801091373
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-04-01
• Publisher: Baker Books

Summary

The challenge facing today\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.

Author Biography

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.

Table of Contents

Preface	9	(2)
Waves of Change	11	(16)
Part 1 The Builder Wave
What Shaped the Builders?	27	(16)
Builders and the Church	43	(11)
Aging Builders	54	(17)
Part 2 The Boomer Wave
Who Are the Boomers?	71	(18)
Boomer Believers	89	(13)
Reaching the Boomer Generation	102	(19)
Part 3 The Buster Wave
Why Are They Called Busters?	121	(15)
Busters and the Church	136	(9)
Reaching Busters	145	(16)
Part 4 The Bridger Wave
When Did the Bridgers Arrive?	161	(17)
Bridgers and the Church	178	(8)
Winning Bridgers	186	(11)
Part 5 Riding the Waves of Change
Reading the Waves	197	(13)
Linking Generations	210	(14)
Wave Runners	224	(11)
Notes	235	(6)
Resources	241	(6)
The McIntosh Church Growth Network	247