As a Boomer pastor, I have spent a good part of my ministry life trying to maintain harmony and unity between the Builder generation (my parents) and my generation. But as I age, I see younger generations assuming more and more leadership in the Church, so I have been doing quite a bit of study in the last few years over generational issues.
I just returned from Breakforth – a worship and teaching conference held annually in Edmonton. The one thing that I take away from that time is that “Emergent” thinking is now becoming mainstream. While this type of thinking may be primarily from the “Echo” generation (mid 30’s and younger), I also see that it is a shift from ‘modern’ to ‘postmodern’ thought.
This shift takes me back to the fading ‘worship wars’ that decimated churches all over the place in the last 25 years. These wars were largely generational (Boomers fighting their parents) and for the most part were poorly managed. So my question is – “can we work together as a Body to transition from what is currently Boomer prominence and resultant modern thinking, to making increasing room for Echo (or whatever you want to call it) leadership and post modern thought?”
Some of the characteristics of this kind of thought include: emphasis on social justice, desire for authentic community, skepticism, anti institutional non hierarchical approach, and eclecticism.
In context of the church I see a rejection of the mega church movement and a desire for smaller fellowships, including house church and sadly for many – no church. There is a strong push for activism in the area of social concerns. This generation is not content with simply talking about touching the community – they are adamant about it. Overall I see their high value of authenticity. I think they have great things to contribute to the Body of Christ!
As I think about Mission Creek Alliance and our desire to be intentionally multi generational, I ask myself – how can we make a warm home for Builders, Boomers, Echo and younger – a place where each can belong and feel valued? This is not an easy task, but how wonderful it would be if we could do it! Somehow we need to feel like team or family. How can we make methodology and style serve the timeless truths of the Gospel that are passed from generation to generation?
Think and pray with me on this. It is something the elder’s board and I are wrestling with, so that the Body here at Mission Creek will continue to be built up rather than suffer through a new kind of war.