Individuals born between 1946 and 1964, during the post-World War II period are classified as the “Baby Boomers.” During this 28 year period there was a significant increase in birth rates, which resulted in a large generation that has profoundly impacted both culture, society and Christ’s Church. The boom was driven by a combination of several factors, including improved economic conditions, declining mortality rates, and changing social norms, which were not unique to the USA.
HERE ARE SOME FACTS:
- The average baby boomer will live to be 84+ years old, with many living much longer.
- In the United States Of America, baby boomers control 53% of the wealth.
- The average church goer in America is age 60. (See Proverbs 16:31)
- Boomers account for 36% of the people present in American churches on Sunday, Gen X is 24%, and the Millennials 19%.
The Baby Boomers have also significantly impacted the ministry and the function of churches in the United States, both positively and negatively, due to their influence, their large numbers, and often changing / shifting preferences and beliefs.
Baby Boomers, generally speaking, desire specific styles / types of music, which sometimes has led to conflict and division within congregations.
Too often, a “What Have You Done For Me Lately?” mentality emerges as the Boomers may focus in on their own needs and preferences, which ultimately can lead to a more consumer-driven approach to church participation, attendance, and financial support. Thus the evolution of the mega-church, declining support for mainline denominational congregations, and the development of smaller churches like WOF where members / participants interact regularly and are viewed as family. Only 10% of America’s 331,000 church congregations have more than 300 members, with most having less than 100. However, 50% of those attending religious services regularly go to the 33,000 large churches where a lesser percentage of the congregation actually serve regularly, in particular, Baby Boomers. The big flashy church with a well known lead pastor is certainly in style. However, 90% of American congregations are small, and the boomers are often finding opportunity to serve on a consistent basis. FYI – 60% of American Church Pastors are currently boomers.
Needless to say, one potential problem that churches will continually face is the declining baby boomer population as they grow progressively older and perhaps face physical limitations.
One thing that should be on every boomer’s mind is the great opportunities they are afforded due to their life experience, additional resources, and available time. While our culture drifts towards exalting young leadership, the fact is that too many Baby Boomers are shelved in today’s church and ministries. Some reasons for that issue is that too often, boomers retire from more than just their profession. Another is that often times, as these individuals grow older, they dropout due to disillusionment, hurts, confusion, and sometimes substitute any number of other activities to replace their participation in ministry and worship. However it’s a proven statistic that the baby boomer generation grows more spiritually and becomes more interested in that realm of life as they grow older. That may have to do with the inevitability of death or just after many various life experiences (good and bad, blessings or difficulties). The boomers surely need church and the church undoubtedly needs them!
Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.
Titus 2:2-5
Obviously, there is no question about the need of every church ministry to have younger adults participating and serving; however, is there a great amount of potential, wisdom, knowledge, and life-experience not being tapped because the Baby Boomers aren’t being asked to serve or they aren’t willing to serve? I certainly hope that’s not true at WOF. So if you are a boomer, please step up and be used by our Lord to help the ministry and your younger brothers and sisters in Christ.
As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:10-11
Unless for some reason a person is physically unable to serve, there is a place … should be a place for each and everyone to faithfully serve in Christ’s New Testament Church!
But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”
1 Corinthians 12:20-21
1 Corinthians 12:27
Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.
Please, please never forget that!
Right now (later is too late), I’m officially inviting all our “Baby Boomers” to step up along with all other adults, and even some of our youth who should be serving.
We need to gear up and there are plenty of places that need your help, starting with our AWANA Kid’s Club which is currently being completely overhauled, our Children’s ministry which is bringing in new curriculum for teaching and training our awesome kids, and our youth ministry which could use some additional assistance as well. If not now, when?
His & Yours always, because of GRACE
(God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)
Pastor Frank