Understanding Generations.pdf

The Next Generation of Leadership in God's Church

We are going to need a new generation of leaders in God's church, unless Christ returns, and some of that next generation is going to come from the "net generation." The "net generation" is born in 1979 up to the present, and they are characterized as neo-traditionals, busy lives, ritual, optimism, technology, and volunteerism. They are the first generation to grow up surrounded by digital media and are authorities on the internet.

The "net generation" is profoundly different from previous generations in their notions of work, reward, responsibility, and collaboration. They have a high rate of unemployment, earn less in real terms than the "boomers," and grew up under legislated equality. However, they are good at collaboration, consensus building, and multi-tasking, and focus on the big picture, priorities, and aggressive communication.

The church of God has suffered a high rate of attrition among the "generation X-ers," and has few ministers in their 30s. We hope that the next generation, the "net generation," will have a lower level of attrition and stay in the church. At some point, we have to plan for leadership from the "generation X-ers" and the "net generation" who are just growing up and coming out of the teenage years.

Three qualities of leadership are essential for leadership of God's people: wisdom, courage, and humility. Wisdom is understanding what is true, right, or lasting, and it is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things. Courage is necessary to stand up for what is right, even in the face of opposition, and humility is necessary to recognize one's own limitations and weaknesses.

We need to apply these qualities of leadership to ourselves, whatever our age may be, and recognize that we are all individuals and are influenced by cultural factors and the way in which we receive information. We need to plan for leadership from the next generation and provide them with the training and support they need to succeed.