Religion is on a wierd track here in the US. Especially Christianity. The new generation that is stepping up and becoming adults now want something totally different than previous generations, and they should. They have been raised in a COMPLETELY different world.
This article from George Barna makes me think about relating this to ministry. How as a youth pastor do I need to change some philosophies of ministry or need to change some directions we are going and why?
While the church as a whole minsiters to peole in all age groups categorized at the bottom of this post, my ministry is just focused on one...Mosaics. WOW
What other challenges do you foresee?
The reshaping of religious institutions will have an impact on meetings. Churches have changed; it’s no longer people going into a building with a paid leader or pastor. More and more people don’t want to belong to an institution or gather with a mass group. By 2025, roughly one half of the market share of the local “conventional” church will be lost to other ways of expressing one’s faith—alternative or house churches, prayer groups, and worship centered around media, the arts, or culture. There will be a transformation through connections, creating spiritual mini-movements where people find their faith … mothers’ groups, prayer-at-work groups, 12-step groups, social networks, and homeschools. The same thing will happen with trade associations. Within the next 5 to 10 years, the major ones will have to close down or join with others. Many are already challenged by declining volunteerism.
Your new book is about the emergence of “spiritual tribes.” What affects do these groups have on religious meetings and events?
Tribal distinctions are huge. You have to have an understanding of them as you try to determine who you bring into your event. The seven tribes are casual Christians, who are not totally engaged; captive Christians, whose faith is paramount in their lives; skeptics, including atheists and agnostics; Mormons; Pantheists, New Agers, and Buddhists; Jews; and Muslims. There is a new sociocultural agenda and new leaders. There is a shift in style and aspirations. The mindset about faith in our country has shifted. Traditional Christian behaviors are no longer the norm. Affinity groups are important now. The largest proportion of nonprofits is religious and has incredible diversity. Athletes, musicians, poets … people are integrating their interests with religion. Personal faith is important but it is more integrated into society. The mosaic generation only know an accelerated pace of change. You need to get ready for them.
The Generation GapDefinition
Mosaics--—those born between 1984 and 2002
Busters—those born between 1965 and 1983
Boomers—those born between 1946 and 1964
Builders—those born between 1927 and 1945
Seniors-—those born in 1926 and earlier
Activities
Mosaics are less likely than any other generation to volunteer time to their church (12% of mosaics report volunteering). Conversely, 23% of busters, 29% of boomers, and 34% of elders (builders and seniors) have volunteered at a church in the past week.
• Small group participation appears to be positively correlated with age, with 26% of elders, 24% of boomers, 19% of busters, and 20% of mosaics reporting that they participated in a small group in the past week.
• Compared to 60% of elders who have a “quiet time” during the week, 54% of boomers, 39% of busters, and 35% of mosaics do the same.
• 33% of mosaics, 43% of busters, 49% of boomers, and 53% of elders attend church on a given Sunday.
• In a typical week, 32% of mosaics, 42% of busters, 47% of boomers, 58% of elders read the Bible.
• Mosaics are the age group least likely to pray to God. In a given week, 65% of mosaics, 82% of busters, 90% of boomers, and 88% of elders report praying.
Faith
• Boomers emerge as more likely and mosaics as less likely than any other generation to be born again (33% of mosaics, 38% of busters, and 53%of boomers are born again, compared to 48% of elders).
• Mosaics are the least likely age group to indicate that faith is a very important part of their life. Only 51% of mosaics say their faith is very important in their life, compared with 62% of busters, 73% of boomers, and 79% of elders.
• 61% of mosaics, 67% of busters, 77% of boomers, and 74% of elders believe that God is the all-powerful, all-knowing, perfect Creator who rules the world today.
Self-Descriptions
• Busters are more likely than the other generations to be searching for meaning in life: 44% of busters compared to 32% of all others are searching for their purpose in life.
• Busters are the generation most likely to feel “too busy.” Compared to 53% of busters who maintain that they are too busy, 49% of boomers, 32% of builders, and 27% of seniors feel the same.
• Older individuals are also more likely than younger individuals to describe themselves as a “born-again Christian.” 49% seniors and 47% of builders call themselves born again, compared to 42% of boomers and 31% of busters.
• Financial comfort appears to come with age. 38% of busters say they are personally struggling with finances, compared to the 32% of boomers, 23% of builders, and 20% of seniors.
• Busters are almost twice as likely as are seniors to indicate that they are stressed out (41% to 22%, respectively). Likewise, 32% of boomers and 27% of builders said that “stressed out” is an accurate description of them.
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