The Generations

In most ecclesias in the West, there are 4 to 5 generations at any point in time Biblically, there are examples of the transfer from one generation to another, with great differences between the two generations

Psalm 78:1-7 indicates the crucial responsibility we have to transmit the Truth from generation to generation The rest of the Psalm outlines the consequences of Israel’s failure to do so

Examples of Generational change Exodus 1:8, a new generation who knew not Joseph Judges 1:27, 28; 2:10, a generation who knew not Yahweh Ezra 3:10-13, Haggai 2:3, rejoicing and weeping

Veterans born pre-1946 Baby Boomers1946 – 1964 Generation X1965 – 1977 Generation Y 1978 – 1994

VETERANS (born before 1946) Privacy Privacy Hard work Hard work Trust/their word and a handshake meant much Trust/their word and a handshake meant much Formality Formality Authority Authority Social Order Social Order Generational Challenges Generational Challenges Form over function Form over function Management of dysfunction and emotional issues not always frank or effective Management of dysfunction and emotional issues not always frank or effective Inflexibility in practice and suspicion of innovation Inflexibility in practice and suspicion of innovation

Baby Boomers (Born 1946 to 1964) Baby Boomers (Born 1946 to 1964) Competitive Competitive Hard workers Hard workers Success oriented, and used to status symbols and prosperity Success oriented, and used to status symbols and prosperity Challenging and aggressive Challenging and aggressive Sometimes Anti - rules Sometimes Anti - rules Strong organizers and a powerful block group in worldly negotiations Strong organizers and a powerful block group in worldly negotiations The generation that is viewed by younger people as greedy, wasteful, destroyers of the economy and the ecology The generation that is viewed by younger people as greedy, wasteful, destroyers of the economy and the ecology

Baby Boomers (Born 1946 to 1964) Baby Boomers (Born 1946 to 1964) Generational Challenges Generational Challenges Competition, conflict and confrontation oriented Competition, conflict and confrontation oriented Focus on work bit into the life of the family and the ecclesia Focus on work bit into the life of the family and the ecclesia The attraction of success could make service in the Truth a quest for influence and prestige as opposed to community building The attraction of success could make service in the Truth a quest for influence and prestige as opposed to community building Rebellion against the past and a discarding of traditions worth retaining Rebellion against the past and a discarding of traditions worth retaining A dominant generation whose impact will be very significant for good or for evil A dominant generation whose impact will be very significant for good or for evil

Generation “X” (Born 1965 to 1977) Entrepreneurial Entrepreneurial Independent Independent Creative Creative Information and technology oriented Information and technology oriented Not loyal to companies Not loyal to companies Intent on achieving a work-life balance Intent on achieving a work-life balance Most educated generation Most educated generation Generational Challenges Generational Challenges “Work-life balance” “Work-life balance” Confrontation averse compared with Boomers, may struggle to find the balance between toleration and the need to confront issues Confrontation averse compared with Boomers, may struggle to find the balance between toleration and the need to confront issues Can be a mobile ecclesial population Can be a mobile ecclesial population

Generation “Y” (Born 1978 to 1994) Most Socially inclined of all generations Unlike Gen X, they are likely to work longer in one place Unlike Gen X, they are likely to work longer in one place Can be u Can be unrealistic in their demands Value honesty and involvement in decision making Value honesty and involvement in decision making Extremely adaptable to a high pace of change Extremely adaptable to a high pace of change The least well read of all generations The least well read of all generations Most technology savvy Most technology savvy Work best in teams Work best in teams

Generation “Y” (Born 1978 to 1994) Generational Challenges Social aspects of the Truth could take precedence over doctrine, with the Word diminished as the core Their u Their unrealistic expectations could put people into roles and work prematurely with a deterioration in the quality of work/service performed The “inclusiveness” with which they have been raised socially/educationally could drive an opening up of fellowship boundaries beyond what is Biblically defensible. We can expect many alternate ecclesial models or alternatives to ecclesial life, with an emphasis on diversity and/or technology The “inclusiveness” with which they have been raised socially/educationally could drive an opening up of fellowship boundaries beyond what is Biblically defensible. We can expect many alternate ecclesial models or alternatives to ecclesial life, with an emphasis on diversity and/or technology

Their “change” based world could entail continual ecclesial upset and generational conflict as change is implemented just for the sake of change rather than real improvement Their “change” based world could entail continual ecclesial upset and generational conflict as change is implemented just for the sake of change rather than real improvement Their illiteracy bodes ill for the continuity of the depth of teaching and knowledge of the Truth that have been key to the life of our community Their illiteracy bodes ill for the continuity of the depth of teaching and knowledge of the Truth that have been key to the life of our community

Veterans work first Veterans work first Baby Boomers live to work Baby Boomers live to work Generation X work to live Generation X work to live Generation Y live then work Generation Y live then work Different Outlook on Work

We don't have to agree however we must strive to understand the different mind-sets and how each group sees the world based on their experiences so that we can build our ecclesias, together

Generations working together Titus 2:1-5