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