Generational Issues

NOTE: This material is also found under "GLOBAL OUTREACH TEAM" ARTICLES GENERATIONS AT WORK, by Ron Zemke The workplace today is awash with the conflicting voices, views, and learning styles of the most age- and value-diverse work force this country has known since our great-great-grandparents abandoned field and farm for factory and office. Ron Zemke, co-author of Generations at Work examines the "generational divide" and what that means for your association in terms of membership and workplace. THE THREE POSTMODERNISMS: A SHORT EXPLANATION by Brian McLaren The first postmodernism is the one that modern people talk about a lot. It’s a big scary monster of nihilism and relativism and self-destruction that seeks to undo all that is good in modern Western civilization. This definition of postmodernism (it denies truth, denies reality, denies morality) is useful, I think, to scare people so they’ll stay loyal to their modern institutions, which, they are told, are the last bulwark against the chaos at the gate. (Read more) MEET THE MILLENIALS by Walt Mueller A consice introductory article to the Millenial Generation that covers the following three topics: • What Parent's Need to Know About The Millennial Generation, • What Can You Do To Help Parents? • Topics for Roundtable Discussion CHURCHES CAN HELP MILLENNIALS BY HELPING THEM FIND SIGNIFICANCE (Baptist Standard) Churches can reach "Millennials" -- the traditionalist generation of Americans born since 1982 -- by helping them "figure out the code" to life's profound questions, futurist Neil Howe advised. (Read more) THE NEXT "NEXT GENERATION" by Jim Schmotzer Born after 1980, the optimistic and community-oriented Millennials are your up-and-coming church leaders. ARTICLES FROM POSTMISSION.COM Assorted articles from an international forum on mission in post-modernity EMERGING CONFUSION by Charles Colson Distressed about my widely circulated exchanges with an "emerging church" leader, a young theologian confronted me after a conference. He urged me to try to understand them. "You might be surprised by how much you agree on," he said. (Read more) SURVEY How Young People View Their Lives, Futures and Politics A PORTRAIT OF “GENERATION NEXT” By the Pew Research Center (2007) BOOKS ONE CHURCH, FOUR GENERATIONS: UNDERSTANDING AND REACHING ALL AGES IN YOUR CHURCH by Gary L. McIntosh (An updated and expanded version of Three Generations: Riding the Waves of Change in Your Church) One Church, Four Generations gives thoughtful insight into the four generations found in churches today, exploring the qualities, values, and interests of each group in relation to the historical events and social trends that have shaped them. You'll find practical suggestions for types of ministry and worship styles that will draw each generation-from the oldest generation of Builders to the youngest crowd of Bridgers. Helpful tables offer summaries of generational characteristics, common needs and concerns, and ways to reach the unchurched. GENERATIONS AT WORK by Rom Zemke, Claire Raines, Bob Filipezak Generations at Work supplies insights and practical solutions for understanding differences, resolving conflicts, and managing effectively in today's age-diverse workplace. The book gives you: profiles of four distinct generations; case studies in generational peace; a practice exercise; and answers to the 21 most frequently asked questions about managing in a multigenerational workplace. BOOMERS, XERS, AND OTHER STRANGERS: UNDERSTANDING THE GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES THAT DIVIDE US by Kathy Hicks, Rick Hicks Ever wonder why your kids, parents, and even coworkers think and feel so differently than you do on core issues? Rick and Kathy Hicks contend and demonstrate that many of our core values are shaped largely by what was going on in our culture and world when we were about ten years old. By recognizing the factors that give rise to our own values and those of other generations, we can achieve greater mutual understanding and reconciliation with our children, peers, and coworkers, rather than finding ourselves in conflict. An effective tool for bridging the generation gap. POWERPOINT GENERATIONAL ISSUES, by Karen Simons A very professional and attractively done powerpoint presentation to walk your missions team through a study of generational distinctives. WHAT’S GIVES WITH GENERATION X? by Richard Tiplady A powerpoint dealing with the nature of giving among Gen-Xers. top [back to Mission Resource directory]