Church as we (church culture generation) know it works for us.  Those who are born in the unchurched culture (those under 40 – particularly those under 20) are looking for a church experience that is very different from what most of us have known, understand or like.  There’s much being studied these days and much being written to help us deal with new realities of our world and the challenges the church has in reaching a new generation.  Lifeway has recently released a major study on this topic. See for http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D165951%252526M%25253D201117%2C00.html  

      New research abounds. A recent article in USA Today, “Young Adults Aren’t Sticking with Church” by Cathy Lynnn Grossman can be found by visiting http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2007-08-06-church-dropouts_N.htm?csp=34 . Grossman reveals,

  Princeton Sociologist, Robert Wurthnow’s new book, After the Baby Boomer, declares, “Unless religious leaders take younger adults more seriously, the future of American religion is in doubt.”

      George Barna in his new book UnChristian explains, “Christians in their 20’s are ‘significantly less likely to believe a person’s faith in God is meant to be developed by involvement in a local church. This life stage of spiritual disengagement is not going to fade away.” 

      My new book, Reaching People Under 40 While Keeping People Over 60 will be released in October, 2007. .) “The reality here is that most denominations have not been reaching many people under forty for decades. Most people forty and under are from a world with different values, traditions, rituals, and personal preferences—a different culture. Tension escalates, leaders resign or become disgruntled, money begins to dry up, and the church community becomes more and more introverted and focuses on caring for people within the church rather than being concerned about reaching out to those outside the church—people they don’t understand and really aren’t sure they want in the church anyway. So begins a cycle of maintenance and survival for most churches. What’s a leader to do?” from Chapter 1 

      It’s clear to me that churches have much work to do quickly if we are to engage the younger generation in faith forming experiences that are real, relevant and powerful to them.  I also believe the window is closing quicker than we would like to acknowledge, for us to reach this new generation. We can’t wait on more studies, more committee meetings, more prayer meetings and discussion groups to begin to make changes that will speak to the new generation and bring God’s love, grace, forgiveness and empowerment to those under 40 years of age.  What are you willing to do now?  What are some options to consider? 

Options To Consider For Reaching Those Under 40 Years of Age 

Update your outreach strategies by being more relational

Create multiple entry points (programs and ministries) that are comfortable for the younger generation to participate in.

Create some relevant and meaningful parallel structures to capture their interest and involvement.

Engage them in hands on mission and community based projects

Utilize language and delivery systems that the younger generation use and relate to. (i.e. church language typically doesn’t work for them and print usually doesn’t work. They need the web, podcasts and visually driven messages)

            These are general ideas that are developed in detail in  chapter 7 of Reaching People Under 40 While Keeping  People Over 60, Chalice press, 2007) Can be ordered through our eStore.
 
 

NEW BOOK RELEASED OCTOBER, 2007

Reaching People Under 40 While Keeping People Over 60: Being Church for all Generations by Edward H. Hammett and James R. Pierce will be published by Chalice Press www.cbp21.com; www.amazon.com

A resource for church leaders and church members. The book is filled with practical and proven ideas for churches who desire to minister effectively to all generations without isolating or ignoring any age group. Released in October.

To book a seminar with Eddie email at EdwardHHammett@mchsi.com  

Join me in an online forum on my new book October 8-11, 2007 at www.easumbandy.com Register by visiting the www.easumbandy.com webiste now! 

“Eddie Hammett is a colleague, but he is also a friend. So it was easy to read his book and "hear" him speak the words.  During the last 3 years Eddie has been coaching our organization as we are in the process of "birthing the new".  We are an organization, much like the church, who needs to reach those under 40 while keeping those over 60.  Eddie is a master at asking the right questions and that has helped us in better understanding who we are, what our passions are and how to be all we can be in the post modern world.

I would highly recommend this book (and others that he has written) because it is sensitive to the current culture; relevant to church today; it is easy to read and understand; and, if seriously considered, his questions will help you to think and cause you to act.  Read with a heart sensitive to the potential of your personal acceptance of his challenge.”

Ruby Fulbright

Executive Director/Treasurer

Woman's Missionary Union of NC