Reaching People Under 40 While Keeping People Over 60: Being Church for All Generations

by Edward H. Hammett and James R. Pierce

Book Overview

Many established churches are facing a number of challenges in today's increasingly secular culture. Such a shift in many communities creates a challenge of church growth and church health when it... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0827232543
• ISBN13: 9780827232549
• Release Date: November 2007
• Publisher: TCP Books
• Length: 180 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Stay Relevant and Stay Alive: Leading Your Church to be missional

The church is in the midst of a non Christian or post-Christian culture and like the frog in the pot of water set to boil, it doesn't realize it's dying. It needs a wake up call. It needs not only a wake up call but also some help getting out of its comfortable place. While the over sixty crowd" pays the freight", so to speak, and faithfully continues to carry the brunt of the load, the church still must ask the questions: "Why are we doing this?" "What's the point?" Though they don't ask these specific questions, Hammett and Pierce address the question, "what's the church that finds itself in this sort of dilemma to do--especially if it wants to make a difference and reclaim its relevance in a post-modern/post-Christian culture?" While the intent of the book is not to be a worldview study on postmodernism the authors do address what is going to take to reach those of a different worldview and mindset from those who already belong. They also offer some helps with regards to what changes might be needed in order for the church to effectively engage those who are different. I really resonated with this portion of the book because this is what those of us involved in overseas missions have had to do in order to communicate the gospel effectively in other cultures. In the same way, churches that wish to reach people different from themselves must become missional, must work diligently to understand the language, the culture, and other aspects of the worldview in order to communicate the gospel in relevant ways to those whom they wish to engage. Being missional begs the question, "What needs to be done to effectively engage those different from us?" I think Hammett and Pierce have an extraordinary understanding of this aspect of helping churches become more missional. Of course, change(s) can be unsettling and it can be costly. Here is where Eddie and Randy's coaching strengths come into play. There is probably not a more effective way for leading congregations through genuine change or transformation, i.e. a transformation from a maintenance mode to a missional mode, than through coaching. A coach approach to change allows powerful questions to reshape the values and thinking and to find focus that leads to positive action. As a missional strategist working in postmodern Western Europe, what the authors have to say about church in America makes perfect sense to me. Though our methods and forms of church may look different from church in America, I think Hammett and Pierce offer good, solid help, not only regarding what needs to be done, but "how" churches can better position themselves to do what needs to be done. I find their coach approach intriguing, and in fact, I am using that approach more often as I relate to and train church planting strategists and national partners overseas. I think the book provides a great analysis as to what the issues are for existing churches who want to become more missional while at the same time a

Being Church for All Generations Hits a Home Run

Can you think of a question about the future vitality of existing congregations that is asked more often than "how can we reach people under 40 while keeping people over 60?" I can't! And neither could primary author Eddie Hammett when an over 60 woman first posed this question to him. As a constant observer and encourage of congregations, Eddie determined he ought to write a book on this subject. He teamed up with a friend--Randy Pierce--who had been a spiritual traveler for many years, and represented the under 40 crowd. Randy, now a practicing Christian, is able in this book to recount the perspective of under 40 persons who are searching for a church experiences that speaks to their needs. The approach taken by this book is not a big bang approach where congregations get whiplash in the middle of making changes needed to attract people under 40. It is a coaching and learning approach where congregations develop the capacity to do and/both--reach the under 40 crowd while simultaneously affirming the the 60 plus stakeholders. It is a win-win approach that seeks to carry everyone forward into God's future. Along the way various approaches are suggested in dealing with the existing tension in congregations before they start this journey, and the additional tension likely to arise as congregation focus on the under 40 and over 60 folks. This is also a very personal story for Eddie, as he recounts in his book. He talks about how the "ah hah's!" needed by the over 60 stakeholders was experienced in his home church that led them to embrace changes that would attract the under 40 crowd. Throughout the book are helpful coaching questions that can be used for dialogue sessions in congregations. Also, do not miss the coaching interview between Eddie and Randy at the end of the book. Reaching People Under 40 While Keeping People Over 60 is one of several resources that speak to the transformation journey of congregations. Others to consult are: Pursuing the Full Kingdom Potential of Your Congregation (TCP Leadership Series) Recreating the Church: Leadership for the Postmodern Age (TCP Leadership Series) Renew Your Congregation: Healing the Sick, Raising the Dead (TCP Leadership Series)

Call for Multi-Generational Ministry

America's established congregations face a dilemma - how do they reach younger adults without alienating those over 60? The future may lie with this younger cohort, but the financial support and leadership of many congregations is to be found in the older group. Eddie Hammett and James Pierce have attempted to address this dilemma, making it a must read book for anyone involved in leadership in these congregations. Hammett is Senior Leadership Consultant for the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, a coach and trainer for Valwood Christian Leadership Coaching, and founding partner for the Columbia Partnership. His partner is a certified life coach who focuses on helping organizations transition effectively. It is important to note that while the publisher, -- Chalice Press, is a Mainline Protestant publisher the book has definite Baptist roots and tenor. That being said, the message it holds will be of value to congregations from across the theological spectrum - even if the illustrations at points seem rather Baptist. While the book has a "church growth" feel to it, the authors recognize that we have entered a postmodern era where the church must embrace a missional understanding of itself. The focus is not just adding members, it's ministering to the world in which the church exists. For pastors of traditional congregations it's important to hear that younger people aren't all that interested in what Hammett calls "nickels and noses." They want to make a difference and don't have time or energy to spend on committees or details. Mission not business is the focus. Part of the purpose of the book is to explain to the two constituencies the concerns and issues of the other. Here he leans on generational theory. He also challenges the two groups - which are in no way homogeneous - to listen to the other. In a brief chapter near the end of the book he talks to those between the ages of 40 and 60. This group - largely composed of Baby Boomers - is called to lead and to interpret. They are (I can say we are) the glue that can bind these two groups together. They are the thought leaders and innovators, the ones who are called to introduce and manage the changes the church faces. In this capacity this cohort is changed with bridging the younger and older groups. Hammett and Pierce suggest that the older set see themselves in missional mode. That is, just as missionaries must learn and understand the language and culture of the group they will minister to and with, so must those who are long established in the congregation. They must, he suggests, if this is to be successful learn to appreciate - if not enjoy - the music and concerns of those much younger than themselves. At the same time, they are called to empower and mentor those who are younger. And here is a primary issue - Baby Boomers have not shown themselves adept at either mentoring younger people or show willingness to pass on leadership to those youn

21st Century Survival Guide

Keeping and Reaching is an insightful glimpse at what today's churches will need to embrace to survive and accomplish the great commission--reaching a new generation. If you're a leader who is ready to roll up your sleeves and dig in, this is the book for you. This book does a thorough job describing where we are today and gives practical steps for birthing the future. I recommend this book to all church leaders who want to survive the 21st century.

Finally! Suggestions for existing churches in the new culture

I have been wondering since I entered the ministry how we can honor the faithful elders while attracting those under 40. Here is a book that is up-to-date and takes a church step by step through the transformation needed to reach younger people while honoring the elders. One caveat, the authors come from an evangelical theological standpoint, so if you are more liberal theologically, you will need to filter some of their statements. This does not detract from the usefulness of the book. Every mainline minister and church who would like to get out there and engage people needs this book.