We have given you quite a bit of information about the tsunami that is going to hit the church when the boomer wave reaches each of our areas. Anyone who has given any thought to it at all is convinced that it will be the biggest demographic shift in our history.
If we were in a part of the world where tsunamis occur, and we knew one was coming, what do you think each of us would be doing in the meantime?
I doubt that it would be business as usual. Instead, we would be doing everything possible to make sure we would be ready for it. This advance preparation would not only involve procedures for surviving the onslaught but also developing strategies to make the aftermath as smooth as possible.
As far as the church is concerned, there seems to be little, if any, advance preparation for this “boomer wave”. We have a population “Katrina” heading for us and we are waiting for them to come to us and sit at our “table” to be fed and nurtured.
As a result of my 30 years in various ministries, it is my conclusion that we are reacting like we have always done. We have said “Come to us!” and people have stayed away in droves. We generally act out the definition of insanity (doing the same thing over and over again while hoping for a different result) using the age-old axiom “We have never done it that way before”.
There are several things we must do to correct this:
First of all, we must become aware of the opportunity that is coming our way. This can be done by taking the time to look at the population figures in each of our areas.
For example in the Cincinnati Metro area (5 counties in SW Ohio, 3 counties in Northern Kentucky and 1 county in SE Indiana), according to the U S Census Bureau, there are approximately 554,910 individuals in the 45 – 64 age group. This represents 22.4% of the total population compared to 25% of similar age group nationally.
Several sources (professional pollsters, denominational surveys, etc) put the percentage of the “unchurched” in this age group at about 67%. If this is true that means that there are some 373,880 “unchurched” boomers just in our area.
What is even more “alarming” is that, in the 25 – 44 age group, there are approximately 746,224 people moving toward “post-boomerism”. If the percentages remain the same, then that means there are about 499,970 more “unchurched” heading towards us.
To find out how many people are in your area you can go to the following website: http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation
Paste this URL in your browser and follow the easy directions to find the population of your City, county or surrounding counties.
Take the number of Boomers (45 – 64) and multiply that number by .67. This will give you the approximate number of “unchurched” boomers in your area.
Are they really “unchurched” or have they found “better” things to do??
(More about this later)
The Boomer Blogger
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 22, 2007
A Book That Should Be Read and a Video You Should See
For those of you who want to read more, here is the book I mentioned in an earlier blog:
The Boomer Century 1946-2046: How America's Most Influential Generation Changed Everything (by Richard Croker) available on Amazon ($17.15 plus shipping)
Be sure to click on the video link. It was designed by a team with Gary Sweeten's leadership. The really hard work was done by Steve Helterbridle, a friend of Gary's who retired from P&G several years ago to minister more freely. Watch it and join the dialogue here or on Gary's blog.
The Boomer Blogger
The Boomer Century 1946-2046: How America's Most Influential Generation Changed Everything (by Richard Croker) available on Amazon ($17.15 plus shipping)
Be sure to click on the video link. It was designed by a team with Gary Sweeten's leadership. The really hard work was done by Steve Helterbridle, a friend of Gary's who retired from P&G several years ago to minister more freely. Watch it and join the dialogue here or on Gary's blog.
The Boomer Blogger
Article by Thom Rainer...The Church in 2011: Catching The Age Wave
This is the original article to which I referred in a previous post. The articled was found on the following website: Lifeway Biblical Solutions for Life. It is even more revealing. I believe Dr. Rainer's research indicates we have more work to do than we thought.
The Church In 2011: Catching The Age Wave
Written by Thom S. Rainer
NASHVILLE, Tenn., 7/10/06 -- When I see the number 2011, I think of some distant future that is too far away to generate much concern. But 2011 is less than five years away, and significant demographic trends are taking place. These trends are profound, but I fear that the American church is not ready or even aware of the changing landscape.
Nearly one-third of all Americans living today were born between 1946 and 1964. This baby boom is sandwiched between the small generations of the Depression and the Vietnam eras. The boomer generation has repeatedly shaped much of American life, including church life.
Concurrent with the aging of the baby boomers is a longevity boom. In 1900, life expectancy was 47 years. By 2011 the life expectancy of adults will approach 80 years. A huge and long-living older generation will be residing in our communities. How will the church respond?
In just five short years, the oldest boomer will be 65 years old, and the midpoint boomer will be 56. These are not your typical mature adults, and churches that respond as they always have will miss a great evangelistic opportunity.
What are some emerging thoughts and facts about this generation? Look at the following pertinent issues:
About two-thirds of the 76 million boomers are unchurched, which means they attend church no more than twice a year. Our early research indicates that many of these boomers are becoming profoundly nostalgic. Among the unchurched boomers, we found that a significant number would return to church if it resembled the church of their childhood.
Typically, gospel receptivity wanes as a person ages. But the boomers may defy this trend. Indeed, early indicators tell us that gospel receptivity may actually be on the rise among the members of this huge generation. The senior boomers will have the largest accumulated wealth of any group in America’s history.
This age wave will include tens of millions of men and women who want to make a difference in their older years. They have pursued many paths to happiness, and the unchurched boomers tell us that none have proved satisfactory.
These older adults will respond poorly to most forms of senior adult ministries in churches today. They will walk away from churches that focus on travel and entertainment as the primary "ministries" to senior adults. The age wave adults will desire more than an occasional mission trip as a means to make a difference. They want to invest themselves in something that is meaningful and longer-term.
These new senior adults will not perceive themselves to be older adults, and any organization that communicates to them that they are old will quickly lose the allegiance of this generation. The age wave generation is increasingly desirous of studying deep biblical truths, even among the unchurched boomers.
In my travels to churches and in my discussions with church leaders, I often ask what their churches are doing to prepare for this age wave, especially since the impact will be felt in as few as five years. Most leaders admit that they have not even thought about the issue, much less strategically planned to reach this older generation.
We estimate that this older generation could shape organizations around the nation and the world for the next 25 to 30 years. Most secular groups are giving serious thought and expending millions of dollars to reach this new type of senior adult. But it seems that the American church is one of the least prepared for this age wave of any of the organizations today.
Most cutting-edge ministries in the church for the past 40 years have been aimed at reaching the younger generations. Indeed, churches should continue to reach young people with the gospel. But few churches have given much thought or resources to reaching older generations. And if something does not change in our churches, this age wave will pass by with millions never connecting with the church, and with millions never responding to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
What is your church doing to prepare to catch the age wave? The answer to that question may very well impact the eternity of millions of aging boomer Americans.
The Boomer Blogger
The Church In 2011: Catching The Age Wave
Written by Thom S. Rainer
NASHVILLE, Tenn., 7/10/06 -- When I see the number 2011, I think of some distant future that is too far away to generate much concern. But 2011 is less than five years away, and significant demographic trends are taking place. These trends are profound, but I fear that the American church is not ready or even aware of the changing landscape.
Nearly one-third of all Americans living today were born between 1946 and 1964. This baby boom is sandwiched between the small generations of the Depression and the Vietnam eras. The boomer generation has repeatedly shaped much of American life, including church life.
Concurrent with the aging of the baby boomers is a longevity boom. In 1900, life expectancy was 47 years. By 2011 the life expectancy of adults will approach 80 years. A huge and long-living older generation will be residing in our communities. How will the church respond?
In just five short years, the oldest boomer will be 65 years old, and the midpoint boomer will be 56. These are not your typical mature adults, and churches that respond as they always have will miss a great evangelistic opportunity.
What are some emerging thoughts and facts about this generation? Look at the following pertinent issues:
About two-thirds of the 76 million boomers are unchurched, which means they attend church no more than twice a year. Our early research indicates that many of these boomers are becoming profoundly nostalgic. Among the unchurched boomers, we found that a significant number would return to church if it resembled the church of their childhood.
Typically, gospel receptivity wanes as a person ages. But the boomers may defy this trend. Indeed, early indicators tell us that gospel receptivity may actually be on the rise among the members of this huge generation. The senior boomers will have the largest accumulated wealth of any group in America’s history.
This age wave will include tens of millions of men and women who want to make a difference in their older years. They have pursued many paths to happiness, and the unchurched boomers tell us that none have proved satisfactory.
These older adults will respond poorly to most forms of senior adult ministries in churches today. They will walk away from churches that focus on travel and entertainment as the primary "ministries" to senior adults. The age wave adults will desire more than an occasional mission trip as a means to make a difference. They want to invest themselves in something that is meaningful and longer-term.
These new senior adults will not perceive themselves to be older adults, and any organization that communicates to them that they are old will quickly lose the allegiance of this generation. The age wave generation is increasingly desirous of studying deep biblical truths, even among the unchurched boomers.
In my travels to churches and in my discussions with church leaders, I often ask what their churches are doing to prepare for this age wave, especially since the impact will be felt in as few as five years. Most leaders admit that they have not even thought about the issue, much less strategically planned to reach this older generation.
We estimate that this older generation could shape organizations around the nation and the world for the next 25 to 30 years. Most secular groups are giving serious thought and expending millions of dollars to reach this new type of senior adult. But it seems that the American church is one of the least prepared for this age wave of any of the organizations today.
Most cutting-edge ministries in the church for the past 40 years have been aimed at reaching the younger generations. Indeed, churches should continue to reach young people with the gospel. But few churches have given much thought or resources to reaching older generations. And if something does not change in our churches, this age wave will pass by with millions never connecting with the church, and with millions never responding to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
What is your church doing to prepare to catch the age wave? The answer to that question may very well impact the eternity of millions of aging boomer Americans.
The Boomer Blogger
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Are We Ready For the Boomer Wave?
An article quoted in a book I am reading about boomers called The Boomer Century 1946-2046: How America's Most Influential Generation Changed Everything by Richard Croker caught my attention. The article (page 237)is entitled The Church In 2011: Catching The Age Wave by Thom Rainer . Dr Rainer makes some observations (listed below) based on his research of the topic that reflect how I have been feeling too.
Rainer says, “Most cutting-edge ministries in the church for the past 40 years have been aimed at reaching the younger generations. Indeed, churches should continue to reach young people with the gospel. But few churches have given much thought or resources to reaching older generations. And if something does not change in our churches, this age wave will pass by with millions never connecting with the church, and with millions never responding to the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
He continues, “Most leaders admit that they have not even thought about the issue, much less strategically planned to reach this older generation.”
Dr Rainer makes an observation I wish he would elaborate more on in the future, because I believe too many have precipitously written off the traditional church model and sold out their heritage for a pot of cappuccino. “Our early research indicates that many of these boomers are becoming profoundly nostalgic. Among the unchurched boomers, we found that a significant number would return to church if it resembled the church of their childhood.”
A few more observations by Rainer:
"About two-thirds of the 76 million boomers are unchurched, which means they attend church no more than twice a year.
Typically, gospel receptivity wanes as a person ages. But the boomers may defy this trend. Indeed, early indicators tell us that gospel receptivity may actually be on the rise among the members of this huge generation.
The senior boomers will have the largest accumulated wealth of any group in America’s history.
This age wave will include tens of millions of men and women who want to make a difference in their older years. They have pursued many paths to happiness, and the unchurched boomers tell us that none have proved satisfactory.
These older adults will respond poorly to most forms of senior adult ministries in churches today. They will walk away from churches that focus on travel and entertainment as the primary “ministries” to senior adults.
The age wave adults will desire more than an occasional mission trip as a means to make a difference. They want to invest themselves in something that is meaningful and longer-term.
These new senior adults will not perceive themselves to be older adults, and any organization that communicates to them that they are old will quickly lose the allegiance of this generation.
The age wave generation is increasingly desirous of studying deep biblical truths, even among the unchurched boomers."
I wonder if the statement “Typically, gospel receptivity wanes as a person ages.” is more accurately, “Typically, gospel outreach targeted at older generations wanes in church programming therefore there is limited response to the gospel among older people.”
THE BOOMER BLOOGER
Rainer says, “Most cutting-edge ministries in the church for the past 40 years have been aimed at reaching the younger generations. Indeed, churches should continue to reach young people with the gospel. But few churches have given much thought or resources to reaching older generations. And if something does not change in our churches, this age wave will pass by with millions never connecting with the church, and with millions never responding to the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
He continues, “Most leaders admit that they have not even thought about the issue, much less strategically planned to reach this older generation.”
Dr Rainer makes an observation I wish he would elaborate more on in the future, because I believe too many have precipitously written off the traditional church model and sold out their heritage for a pot of cappuccino. “Our early research indicates that many of these boomers are becoming profoundly nostalgic. Among the unchurched boomers, we found that a significant number would return to church if it resembled the church of their childhood.”
A few more observations by Rainer:
"About two-thirds of the 76 million boomers are unchurched, which means they attend church no more than twice a year.
Typically, gospel receptivity wanes as a person ages. But the boomers may defy this trend. Indeed, early indicators tell us that gospel receptivity may actually be on the rise among the members of this huge generation.
The senior boomers will have the largest accumulated wealth of any group in America’s history.
This age wave will include tens of millions of men and women who want to make a difference in their older years. They have pursued many paths to happiness, and the unchurched boomers tell us that none have proved satisfactory.
These older adults will respond poorly to most forms of senior adult ministries in churches today. They will walk away from churches that focus on travel and entertainment as the primary “ministries” to senior adults.
The age wave adults will desire more than an occasional mission trip as a means to make a difference. They want to invest themselves in something that is meaningful and longer-term.
These new senior adults will not perceive themselves to be older adults, and any organization that communicates to them that they are old will quickly lose the allegiance of this generation.
The age wave generation is increasingly desirous of studying deep biblical truths, even among the unchurched boomers."
I wonder if the statement “Typically, gospel receptivity wanes as a person ages.” is more accurately, “Typically, gospel outreach targeted at older generations wanes in church programming therefore there is limited response to the gospel among older people.”
THE BOOMER BLOOGER
Monday, November 19, 2007
Who Really are the Emerging Leaders?
The boomer market will drive up the size of the 50-69 year old segment of the population. Meanwhile the market of 35-49 year olds is growing smaller. The 20-34 year old market is far smaller than the total older market and, while growing, is transitioning demographically toward a more ethnic (toward 40% Hispanic in some places) marketplace. By 2030 this trend will be even greater!
Boomers will not go into their senior years the same way their parents did. Creative "Seasoned Believer" leaders are needed quickly as another boomer turns 61 every seven seconds
The real “missional” or “emerging leader” is will not be the church planter/pastor who is focused on leveraging the caffeine addictions of present 20-39 year olds into ministry growth. That’s the smallest and most rapidly shrinking market segment. More missional is the minister who looks at the market and works like a missionary to meet the needs of the people who actually comprise the marketplace.
Here’s an interesting observation I found in the book…….
Brad Edmondson former editor-in-chief of American Demographics says the Older Boomers are the focus of market opportunity in the next decade. The key concepts for reaching boomers around the globe are preservation and quality of life. The most important segments among boomers are empty-nest couples and older singles. The key to success in this marketplace is life-stage marketing because boomers will go through more transitions in their 50s and 60s than any other phase of life.
The Boomer Blogger
Boomers will not go into their senior years the same way their parents did. Creative "Seasoned Believer" leaders are needed quickly as another boomer turns 61 every seven seconds
The real “missional” or “emerging leader” is will not be the church planter/pastor who is focused on leveraging the caffeine addictions of present 20-39 year olds into ministry growth. That’s the smallest and most rapidly shrinking market segment. More missional is the minister who looks at the market and works like a missionary to meet the needs of the people who actually comprise the marketplace.
Here’s an interesting observation I found in the book…….
Brad Edmondson former editor-in-chief of American Demographics says the Older Boomers are the focus of market opportunity in the next decade. The key concepts for reaching boomers around the globe are preservation and quality of life. The most important segments among boomers are empty-nest couples and older singles. The key to success in this marketplace is life-stage marketing because boomers will go through more transitions in their 50s and 60s than any other phase of life.
The Boomer Blogger
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