UnderstandingGenerations

for Ministry to All

People resemble their times more than they resemble their parents.

-old proverb

“The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants…they contradict their parents, chatter before company…and tyrannize their teachers.”

-Socrates

The Generations

Traditionalists 1928-1945Teen Years: 1942-1964 In 2015: 70+ years old

Baby Boomers 1946-1964Teen Years: 1960-1982 In 2015: 51-69 years old

Generation X 1965-1979Teen Years: 1980-1998 In 2015: 36-50 years old

Millennials (Gen Y) 1980-2000Teen Years: 1994-2018 In 2015: 15-35 years old

iGeneration 2001-present

Activity:

• Who is present with us today?• Find a partner from your generation,

introduce yourself and discuss this question:“What key national or international

events, trends, and people do you remember from your first 15 to 20 years?”

Traditionalists - 1928-1945

‘32

‘29

’29-33

‘33

‘34

’37-43

‘27

Baby Boomers – 1946 - 1964‘65

‘68

‘63

‘55

‘69

‘63

‘60

Generation X – 1965 - 1979

‘79

‘81

‘84

‘79

‘86

‘80

‘81

‘76

‘73

‘70

Millennials – 1980 - 2002

‘95

‘99

’90s

’97-98

‘01

‘89

‘87

‘90s

iGeneration – 2002 to present

The Generations

Traditionalists 1928-1945Teen Years: 1942-1964 In 2015: 70+ years old

Baby Boomers 1946-1964Teen Years: 1960-1982 In 2015: 51-69 years old

Generation X 1965-1979Teen Years: 1980-1998 In 2015: 36-50 years old

Millennials (Gen Y) 1980-2000Teen Years: 1994-2018 In 2015: 15-35 years old

Traditionalists - 1928-1945• Experienced the Great Depression• Many have retired and are returning to

workforce in part-time capacities• Of those still working, many have senior

positions with considerable power and account for 5% of today’s workforce.

• Constructed many of today’s organizations• Strongly influenced by family and religion• Education was viewed as a dream

Traditionalists (cont.)

• Leisure time was a reward for hard work• Focus on stability – experienced tremendous

upheaval in their lives• Influenced by financial reward and

recognition

Traditionalists – Values and Work Ethic

• Dedication and Sacrifice

• Hard Work• Respect for Authority• Law and Order• Formality/Uniformity• Adherence to Rules• Duty before Pleasure• Slow to Change

• Work ethic influenced by manufacturing economy

• Obedience and conformity over individualism

• Seniority and age directly correlated

• Tend to respond well to directive leadership

Baby Boomers – 1946-1964• Actual “boom” in births • A time of prosperity (1950s) move to suburbs• Time (1960s and 1970s) of social upheaval,

viewing world as not working very well• Authority figures were suspect – sought change• Largest part of workforce (45%)• 76% are working during retirement years• Like to be the center of attention and are often

described as “self-absorbed” – “me generation”

Baby Boomers (cont.)

• Optimistic about life and the future• Achievement oriented often seen through work

success and promotions• Most indebted generation – not savers or pinchers• Preference for teamwork and belonging• Longing for personal and spiritual growth

Baby Boomers – Values and Work Ethic• Optimism/Idealistic• Competitive• Independent• Personal Growth &

Self Gratification• Health and Wellness• Involvement• Youthfulness

• Service Oriented• Driven by the legacy

of World War II• Uncomfortable with

conflict• Can be overly

sensitive to feedback• Can be judgmental of

those who see things differently

Generation X – 1965-1980• “Generational Differences” emerged• Smaller “sandwich” generation• Corporate downsizing - impacted loyalty and sparked

entrepreneurial spirit• Organizational hierarchy, titles and authority are not

that important to Xers• Where their parents lived to work, Xers work to live -

Work/Life balance is a hallmark• More mothers (60%) had entered the workforce• Increased sense of taking care of oneself

Reality of Generation X

Generation X – Values and Work Ethic• Diversity• Thinking globally• Balance• Techno-literacy• Fun• Informality• Self-reliance• Flexibility• Meaning• Clear direction

• “differently oriented toward work”

• “just a job”• Flexible hours, informal

work environment, just the right amount of supervision

• Good at multi-tasking• Give them lots to do and

freedom to do it their way

Millennials – 1980-2000• Newest and largest generation – very influential• Strong focus on family, parenting, and “babies”• Parents are “best friends” – helicopter or lawnmower • Technology is a defining characteristic - learned to

“click” before learning to read and are the most computer literate - limited patience

• Value diversity - global in focus and accepting of cultures - unprecedented worldly awareness gleaned from a great deal of exposure to reality media

• Most educated generation – but not enough

Millennials – 1980-2000• Will dominate the workforce in next 40 years.• Relies on a network rather than hierarchal ladder• Extremely long life expectancy – (100-125)• Enjoy independence without micromanagement• Think outside of traditional logic

Millennials – Values and Work Ethic• Optimism• Civic Duty• Confidence• Honor• Achievement• Sociability• Street smarts• Diversity• Global Awareness

• Collaboration• Collective action/Teamwork• Humanitarianism/Volunteerism• Tenacity• Heroic spirit• Multi-tasking• Technological savvy• Have difficulty dealing with

difficult people issues

Underlying Assumptions

Traditionalists: I want to join the world and benefit accordingly.

Boomers: I want to help change the world – but I also need to compete to win.

Generation X: I can’t depend on institutions - I need to keep my options open.

Millennials: I need to live life now - and work toward long-term shared goals.

By 2030, 1 out of every 4 adults across the Richmond Region will

be 65 years old or older!

What is best for _______ UMC?

What do the generational differences say to us in ministry planning regarding:•Mission• Nurture & Spiritual Growth•Worship•Witness & Evangelism