Product Description

Generational differences are nothing new in church. There have always been groups and subgroups within a congregation, divided along lines with age. Yet with the possible exception of their educational programs, congregations have generally practiced a "one size fits all" approach to ministry and worship. Whichever group is dominant – generally the older members, although it can be the younger generations as well—sets the tone for musical styles, preaching emphases, and outreach focus.

Frequently the non-dominant groups grow restless and dissatisfied, leaving the church to find better opportunities of service and worship elsewhere. The result is often stagnation and decline.

Based on 19 years of field research, "A House Divided: Bridging the Generation Gaps in Your Church," gives 7-steps to move any church from a one-generational bias, to a healthy Tri-Generational balance.

Key Features include:

Author recognition.

Addresses a very timely issue in a creative way.

Offers a specific strategy for implementation in local churches.

Key Benefits are:

Readers will gain an understanding of the major differences between the three major age/generational groups in most congregations.

Readers will be offered a specific and practical seven step strategy for developing a healthy tri-generational church.

Readers will find ways to not only live in peace within the household of faith, but to minister more effectively to community and world.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #763319 in Books
• Published on: 2001-02-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 252 pages

From the Publisher
C. Peter Wagner, author of 30+ books on church leadership & dean of the Church Growth Movement calls this book "one of the most substantial church growth books we have seen in years. It plugs classical principles into contemporary practice in a way that will help your church impact your community as never before!"

And Walt Kallestad, Senior Minister of Community Church of Joy in Glendale, Arizona states this is, "A dynamic ‘AHA!’ book. It’s a must read for anyone serious about effective twenty-first century ministry in local congregations."

"The good news is that the revolutionary ‘Tri-Gen. Strategy’ presented in "A House Divided" will give you answers to the multi-generational challenge" according to Gary L. McIntosh, president of The McIntosh Church Growth Network. "(It is) a workable solution which significant numbers of pastors and church leadership will find very helpful."

Charles Arn, President of Church Growth Inc. in Monrovia, California suggests that this book is "excellent coaching material for handing the baton to the next generation."

And Elmer Towns, well known author and Dean of the School of Religion at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia writes, "While there are several books written to help churches bridge the generation gap, this book is the only one I have seen that approaches the challenge from ‘cross cultural evangelism.’ I appreciate the strong church growth emphasis."

From the Author
"Eighty-five percent of the churches in America are dying, and until now there has been little churches could do," states Whitesel, the book’s primary author. "Most churches tend to be made up of one dominant generation. Then as that generation ages, the church ages too, failing to attract younger people. Eventually a church dies from old age" he cautions.

Nineteen years of research and field testing have led to the development of a revolutionary strategy where churches serve three generations at the same time. "We even had to coin a term, we call it the Tri-Gen. church." continues Whitesel. "To help my clients, and for churches who just wanted more information, I brought together in this book a wealth of research from secular management scholars, anthropologists, and experts in the field of church leadership to present a clear 7-step plan that will allow almost any church to regain a youthful influx of attendees. As a result, this book seems to have struck a cord with many of the 85% of the churches in America that are dying due to an aging congregation."

"However, I did not want to alienate, nor lose, the church’s older members," states Whitesel. "That is why the Tri-Gen. Strategy takes into account the needs of older generations, while at the same time reaching out to younger, and largely unchurched people. In fact, the Tri-Gen. Strategy is usually the only option for the survival of an aging church."

About the Author
Dr. Bob Whitesel serves as Senior Editor and columnist of "Strategies for Today’s Leader" magazine and as an adjunct instructor for Indiana Wesleyan University teaching courses on Strategic Planning, Management, and Organizational Behavior. In addition, he has penned over 140 published articles on church leadership and management.

His current column in "Strategies for Today’s Leader," titled "From Research to Reality," offers an overview of the very best and brightest research of secular management scholars, provides references for further study, and then suggests concrete ideas for church leaders to translate this research into "reality in action."

Dr. Whitesel holds a Doctor of Ministry degree in church growth as well as an M. Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He is also the founder of C3 International (Creative Church Consulting, International) in Winona Lake, Indiana.

Customer Reviews

Same Gospel, Different delivery
I understand how reviewer Rodboomboom arrived at his conclusions in his review above. However, I think he missed the point of the book entirely. Is a hymn holy and sacred because of its style or because of the words in it? If you answer that a hymn is sacred because of its style then you will agree with Rodboomboom's review of this book. However, if you understand a hymn to be sacred because of the words of the hymn, not the style, then you will understand the true value and meaning of this book.
Lets say that 5 composers decide to write a song using the exact same wording from John 3:16. Each of them uses a different style of music (hymn, country, classical, rock, and rap) but the wording is identical. Which version of John 3:16 would you listen to? Personally I would not listen to the rap version. That style of music is almost totally repulsive to me. So if someone were to try to present John 3:16 to me using the "rap" version I would not listen. Why? Because I reject the message of John 3:16? NO!!! I reject the form the message came to me. Put John 3:16 in a hymn, classical or rock version and I'm listening (like rap, I wouldn't listen to the country version either).
Am I wrong for not listening to John 3:16 in a country or rap version? Am I refusing to hear "sound doctrine" if I won't listen to it in these forms? The problem that many churches have today is that they offer John 3:16 only in the "rap" version (OK, not specifically but follow the illustration here). And the people often view my not coming to their church as my rejection of the gospel. They may also believe that the "rap" version of John 3:16 is God's version of 3:16. Let's be honest folks, how many times do you choose to listen to a radio station that plays music you don't like? Why do churches demand every generation to like the gospel packaged in a way that one generation has dictated as God's way? And I'm not talking about taking communion with soda and potato chips. The message of the Gospel can remain the same even though its delivery is different. I don't preach in the same language as the Apostles did. Am I compromising the message or not being "subservient to Christ's desires?" Am I not "under Christ's leadership" because I no longer use those languages? The form can and should change. The message should remain the same.
This book teaches how to present the unchanging Gospel in a way that people will want to listen and in a way they can understand (I don't understand what most rap songs are saying). It does not teach how to dilute the Gospel message so that those not wanting to listen will (2 Tim 4). It does teach us how to become all things to all people that we might save some (1 Cor. 9:22). It teaches us to be a church that is not biased to the ways and preferences of one generation (even though that generation may believe their way is the right way). This is a great book for those concerned about reaching all people (regardless of their generational differences) with the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. And it is a book about how to offer "faithful preaching and teaching and pastoral leadership" that changes lives.

Still Marketing the Faith
Rather than resolve the authority divide among dissenting groups in this age when sound doctrine is the resisted way (2 Tim. 4), this work of two veteran church growth consultants suggests a famous marketing solution: General Motors.

If you don't like Chevy, there is Buick. If not Buick, then Pontiac, and so on. Here, applied to sociological categories of every 19 year grouping, if don't like Builder's way of doing the faith, try Boomer's. If not Boomer's, then Gen X. Put these all together under one roof, one modified name to make all happy and one leader, and you have their solution: TriGen Church.

Rather than bridge generation gaps which have always been around and were bridged with putting oneself and one's own desires and needs subservient to Christ's, this GM approach is offered to bring the Burger King "have it your way" church, but do it together to have economic and sociologic scale gains under one united, generation combining effort.

Sounds good enough to Builders, Boomers and GenXer's (who buy into what sociology and market research finds from trend and interview research), but is it Biblical?

This reviewer finds it terribly the opposite. Christ wants all to be one under His leadership. He gives undershepherds (pastors) Ephesians 4 to be His Servants of the Word to make this happen gathering around the precious means of grace, Word and Sacraments. This drives it all!

Why change what God wants done? Well, the answer comes back. The people, a sizeable number of them reject this. Of course, and His Word predicts an increasing number will as we near the end.

This book ignores the Biblical mandate for faithful preaching and teaching and pastoral leadership, and inherits worldly ways of coping with serious spiritual maladies.

A Bridge Over the Divide
Bob Whitesel and Kent Hunter in "A House Divided" have addressed the difficult issue that has divided the church for many years. They have taken the information we have known for some while about the three generations addressed in the book and applied that information in creative ways to bridge-building over the generational gaps. Their concept of the Tri-Generational Church as a holistic congregation offers much needed hope to the body of Christ in our time. They provide practical descriptions of the necessary leadership style and worship that will work in the Tri-Gen Church. This book is touching a nerve in the church and will make a positive thrust for the outreach and mission of the church. Wm. Leroy Wise, Pastor of Calvary United Methodist Church, Syracuse, IN