05-25-2008, 07:51 PM
Churches that change their approach if they want to bring baby-boomers back to church. Churches that are effective at this share these ten characteristics:
1. An openness to experience. Boomers are interested in more than churches that feed the mind; they need to experience God. Things like praying for the sick, and feeling God is real.
2. Bible teaching that focses on practical living. Baby-boomers are more interested in what happens at the end of the month than at the end of the age.
3. An emphasis on developing relationships. At this stage in life, the boomers - especially the ones giving birth to the echo boom - have a strong need to build relationships.
4. Evangelism in word and deed, but not just in remote parts of the world. Baby-boomers expect to see things being done in their own neighborhoods and cities.
5. Fewer titles and less formality, Pastor Jones should be known to his congregation and everyone else as Bill.
6. Recognition of the ability of women to serve and to teach. Women don't want to go from the boardroom on Monday to the nursery on Sunday.
7. Understanding of the new American lifestyle in the context of two career families, divorce, and the reconstituted family.
8. An emphasis on worship.
9. A tolerance for diversity.
10. An action orientation.
By Jack Sims in Growing Your Single Adult Ministry
1. An openness to experience. Boomers are interested in more than churches that feed the mind; they need to experience God. Things like praying for the sick, and feeling God is real.
2. Bible teaching that focses on practical living. Baby-boomers are more interested in what happens at the end of the month than at the end of the age.
3. An emphasis on developing relationships. At this stage in life, the boomers - especially the ones giving birth to the echo boom - have a strong need to build relationships.
4. Evangelism in word and deed, but not just in remote parts of the world. Baby-boomers expect to see things being done in their own neighborhoods and cities.
5. Fewer titles and less formality, Pastor Jones should be known to his congregation and everyone else as Bill.
6. Recognition of the ability of women to serve and to teach. Women don't want to go from the boardroom on Monday to the nursery on Sunday.
7. Understanding of the new American lifestyle in the context of two career families, divorce, and the reconstituted family.
8. An emphasis on worship.
9. A tolerance for diversity.
10. An action orientation.
By Jack Sims in Growing Your Single Adult Ministry