Why Churches Should Reach Out to Boomers
There is a demographic that the church rarely considers, the Boomers, the generation born between 1946 and 1964. They were called Boomers by their parents’ generation before that generation christened themselves The Greatest Generation.
The Boomers are an outstanding generation that face difficult years. While their parents had a World War to unite them, the Boomers faced the rise of individualism and the moral and societal changes of a democracy gaining sudden world prominence.
Their experience and strengths represent many and varied feats.
Many are caring for The Greatest Generation and putting children through college, while taking on increased grandparenting demands.
Professionally, their careers were peaking when the Recession hit. Many are struggling to find employment comparable to their pre-Recession lives.
Adding to the challenge is the sharp shift in job skills that technology has demanded. Most Boomers feel a need for schooling and juggle learning with work and home demands — while their competition (their own children) still live under their roof, unburdened by the financial pressures of running a home.
They are experienced. They lived through the Korean War, Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, the Space Age, The Gulf War, Iran, Afghanistan (too many unrests to mention) and now 9/11 and the Arab Spring. They’ve witnessed the end of the Cold War and demolition of the Wall that remained from the war their parents fought. They have battled polio, AIDS, and new virus strains. They’ve seen cures for the diseases that claimed their grandparents. They’ve witnessed the societal change among the races and genders. They have seen the Church crippled by scandal.
The maps they studied in school have been recharted dozens of times.
Boomers were part of information revolution that continues to reshape society.
Women of Boomer age were at the forefront of the fight for equality. Some achieved it. Most still struggle.
Many boomers are divorced or widowed. Many parent blended families. They know firsthand the challenges that younger Americans will face.
They are reaching the age when their health may be challenged.
They are facing end of life decisions—their parents and their own. They can be troubled and grieving.
With all the challenges that Boomers face, they are still a capable lot! They have skills and better health than previous generations. Many were raised in church even if they have abandoned religion as adults.
They are the decision-makers of many families. They are not likely to go to church to be told what to do. It is more likely that the Church can learn from them.
With all the attention on youth and the Greatest Generation, they feel forgotten.
They are a generation that could be very well served and also serve the Church.
Should we mention that the commercial world is discovering they have economic clout?
But how many churches set out to serve the Boomers?
Something to think about!