The toughest issue facing many congregations

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Product Description

Reaching People Under 40 While Keeping People Over 60: Being Church for All Generations (TCP Leadership Series)

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18426 in Books
• Published on: 2007-11-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

About the Author
Edward H Hammett, PCC, is a Professional Certified Coach through International Coaching Federation, prolific best-selling author, conference leader, partner with The Columbia Partnership and affiliated with Hollifield Leadership Center and Coach Approach Ministries. He is a proven church and denominational leader for over 25 years.

James R. Pierce is a speaker, author, trainer, certified coach and consultant with McGhee Productivity Solutions with more than 20 years of experience in business development and organizational behavior. A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, he has great passion and insight for helping organizations dealing with change management and transitions.

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Customer Reviews

Call for Multi-Generational Ministry
America's established congregations face a dilemma - how do they reach younger adults without alienating those over 60? The future may lie with this younger cohort, but the financial support and leadership of many congregations is to be found in the older group. Eddie Hammett and James Pierce have attempted to address this dilemma, making it a must read book for anyone involved in leadership in these congregations.

Hammett is Senior Leadership Consultant for the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, a coach and trainer for Valwood Christian Leadership Coaching, and founding partner for the Columbia Partnership. His partner is a certified life coach who focuses on helping organizations transition effectively. It is important to note that while the publisher, -- Chalice Press, is a Mainline Protestant publisher the book has definite Baptist roots and tenor. That being said, the message it holds will be of value to congregations from across the theological spectrum - even if the illustrations at points seem rather Baptist.

While the book has a "church growth" feel to it, the authors recognize that we have entered a postmodern era where the church must embrace a missional understanding of itself. The focus is not just adding members, it's ministering to the world in which the church exists. For pastors of traditional congregations it's important to hear that younger people aren't all that interested in what Hammett calls "nickels and noses." They want to make a difference and don't have time or energy to spend on committees or details. Mission not business is the focus.

Part of the purpose of the book is to explain to the two constituencies the concerns and issues of the other. Here he leans on generational theory. He also challenges the two groups - which are in no way homogeneous - to listen to the other. In a brief chapter near the end of the book he talks to those between the ages of 40 and 60. This group - largely composed of Baby Boomers - is called to lead and to interpret. They are (I can say we are) the glue that can bind these two groups together. They are the thought leaders and innovators, the ones who are called to introduce and manage the changes the church faces. In this capacity this cohort is changed with bridging the younger and older groups. Hammett and Pierce suggest that the older set see themselves in missional mode. That is, just as missionaries must learn and understand the language and culture of the group they will minister to and with, so must those who are long established in the congregation. They must, he suggests, if this is to be successful learn to appreciate - if not enjoy - the music and concerns of those much younger than themselves. At the same time, they are called to empower and mentor those who are younger. And here is a primary issue - Baby Boomers have not shown themselves adept at either mentoring younger people or show willingness to pass on leadership to those younger than themselves. That "me first" identity that has dogged the generation effects this part of the church experience.

The point in this effort is to move the church from an "us vs. them" mentality where everyone loses, to one that allows for a "win-win" situation. It is, to use a metaphor that I've grown fond of lately; we must learn to tend one vineyard while planting another. To do this effectively, changes must happen first to values and then to structures.

Our habit is to focus on structures rather than on values, but changing staff assignments or adding programs will have little meaning if we don't first address the core values of the congregation. Among those values is missional focus. If we are focused inward on taking care of those already in the fold, then it will be difficult to minister to those outside the walls. In other words, we must be first committed to the cause and be clear about what that cause is. It is clarity as to cause that will help guide the congregation as it loosens the hold of rules and regulations.

For churches to effectively connect with younger people, they must change. Change will happen, though the authors offer a caveat. While form changes, function doesn't (Great Commission and Great Commandment). It will require reallocating staff and volunteer time and energy. It means changing the way we worship, study the Bible, and minister in the community. Many of these changes will prove unsettling to older adults, whose culture is very different. They will tend to focus on nickels and noses, which is why values must be changed first. All of this will take considerable energy to teach, interpret, and encourage. Perhaps it's no surprise, considering his own vocation, but Hammett places emphasis on the idea of coaching. He encourages congregations embarking on this journey to engage a professional coach, one who can guide them through the difficult times and offer resources. At the same time, he encourages leadership - especially pastors - to see themselves as coaches. Throughout the book he presses this case by what he calls "coaching questions."

If you are planting a new congregation that is focused on younger adults, perhaps communities such as those proposed by Emergent leaders, this book may hold little value. But, for those who are charged with leading established congregations and wish to help their congregations become missional communities that include both the young and the old, this book is essential reading. And, if you're not Baptist or don't speak the evangelical language that pops up throughout the book, don't worry about it - look for the many words of wisdom that will help you move forward in ministry.

Finally! Suggestions for existing churches in the new culture
I have been wondering since I entered the ministry how we can honor the faithful elders while attracting those under 40. Here is a book that is up-to-date and takes a church step by step through the transformation needed to reach younger people while honoring the elders.

One caveat, the authors come from an evangelical theological standpoint, so if you are more liberal theologically, you will need to filter some of their statements. This does not detract from the usefulness of the book.

Every mainline minister and church who would like to get out there and engage people needs this book.

Being Church for All Generations Hits a Home Run
Can you think of a question about the future vitality of existing congregations that is asked more often than "how can we reach people under 40 while keeping people over 60?" I can't! And neither could primary author Eddie Hammett when an over 60 woman first posed this question to him.

As a constant observer and encourage of congregations, Eddie determined he ought to write a book on this subject. He teamed up with a friend--Randy Pierce--who had been a spiritual traveler for many years, and represented the under 40 crowd. Randy, now a practicing Christian, is able in this book to recount the perspective of under 40 persons who are searching for a church experiences that speaks to their needs.

The approach taken by this book is not a big bang approach where congregations get whiplash in the middle of making changes needed to attract people under 40. It is a coaching and learning approach where congregations develop the capacity to do and/both--reach the under 40 crowd while simultaneously affirming the the 60 plus stakeholders. It is a win-win approach that seeks to carry everyone forward into God's future.

Along the way various approaches are suggested in dealing with the existing tension in congregations before they start this journey, and the additional tension likely to arise as congregation focus on the under 40 and over 60 folks.

This is also a very personal story for Eddie, as he recounts in his book. He talks about how the "ah hah's!" needed by the over 60 stakeholders was experienced in his home church that led them to embrace changes that would attract the under 40 crowd.

Throughout the book are helpful coaching questions that can be used for dialogue sessions in congregations. Also, do not miss the coaching interview between Eddie and Randy at the end of the book.

Reaching People Under 40 While Keeping People Over 60 is one of several resources that speak to the transformation journey of congregations. Others to consult are:

Pursuing the Full Kingdom Potential of Your Congregation (TCP Leadership Series) Recreating the Church: Leadership for the Postmodern Age (TCP Leadership Series) Renew Your Congregation: Healing the Sick, Raising the Dead (TCP Leadership Series)