When we talk with leaders of older adult ministries in churches, we consistently hear a comment something like this: “How are we going to attract the younger people? Boomers just don’t seem to want to be a part of our seniors group.”
Our answer: Most likely you’re not going to bring the Boomers into anything that looks or acts like a “seniors” ministry. It’s going to have to be unique, compelling, and maybe even revolutionary!
The Baby Boomers, referring to those adults that were born sometime between 1946 and 1964, is a generation unlike any other. Defined by the historical, political, economic, and social events of its youth, this cadre of aging adults may be chronologically qualified for the Seniors Ministry, but it’s fairly safe to say that they aren’t rushing to join.
Many individuals within this generation are still searching for truth, meaning, and a reason for their existence. One need not look far to find books, articles, and websites written by Boomers who are struggling with transitions into a new phase of life. It is clear that opportunities for ministry are abundant and significant.
So how do we minister to Boomers? How do we begin to break through the walls of denial, indifference, arrogance, rebellion, and fear that seem to surround this generation? How do we share Christ with a people group that is known for spiritual exploration and tolerance? How do we meet the needs of Boomers who are facing unprecedented changes? How do we break the code?
As a result of working with Boomers in our own church and with leaders of 50s+ ministries in other churches and denominations across the country, we have begun to identify some code-breakers.
Code Breaker #1: Recognition
The first thing leaders must do is to understand what makes Boomers so distinct. Simply put: Demographically, they are 78 million persons in the United States aged 46-62. Historically, they form the single largest generational cohort. Philosophically, they have redefined American culture. Sociologically, they connect through a unique generational identity bordered by dramatic historical events, music, and mass media. Economically, they are the wealthiest generation in American history. And spiritually, they are seeking authenticity, experience, and personal truth.
To effectively minister we will need to:
- Recognize Boomers as members of a unique generational cohort, connected by shared experiences.
- Recognize that Boomers do not want to be referred to as “seniors” and don’t want to be associated with stereotypical seniors ministries. (Or as one Boomer told us, “I don’t want to be in the same group as my mother.”)
- Recognize that Boomers are transitioning into uncharted physical, emotional, and spiritual territory.
Code Breaker #2: Relationships
When we first began working with Boomers we surveyed a large sampling of them and discovered that individuals were longing for relationships and a sense of community. During the child-raising years it seemed relatively easy for relationships to develop around common interests such as soccer teams and ballet recitals. But with life morphing into something unrecognizable there seemed to be a deepening need for relationships. Also, those surveyed responded simply, “We just want to have some FUN.”
Yep, these adults who are working 60-80 hours a week, babysitting grandkids, caring for increasingly dependent parents, paying off mortgages and college tuition bills, and going to the doctor more frequently, well, they want to kick up their heels and have some fun “like the good old days.”
So a great deal of our ministry has been in developing opportunities through which Boomers can begin to make new friends, share life, and party! One success that has now become an annual event is our “Boomer Bash.” We started when the Boomers first started turning 60 so that we could celebrate such a milestone. We pulled out the tie-dye shirts, daisy chains, pizza, and Cokes—oh, and a real live Golden Oldies band—and we threw a party! What happened was that people laughed, tapped their toes, danced, remembered and sang every word to every song, and had fun. They also heard the stories of fellow Boomers who had found Christ and how their lives had been changed. The first Bash broke down some walls and smashed some stereotypes and incredibly, it wasn’t so bad to be in the 2nd½ Ministries group!
We’ve worked at trying to create environments in which people can develop relationships. We do small group dinners, have large group gatherings around themes and interests, and hold classes and support groups around common issues and concerns. We’ve seen churched people begin to forge relationships with each other and reach out to other Boomers in their communities. Inviting one’s un-churched friend to hear a Beatles sound-alike band might be an easier entrée to church than morning worship.
Code Breaker #3: Re-Focus
The story is told of a rabbi in a Russian city at the turn of the century. He was disappointed by a lack of direction and purpose. As he aimlessly walked the empty streets he began to question his faith in God, the Scriptures, and his call to ministry. The only thing colder than the winter air was the chill in his own heart. In his despair he mistakenly wandered into a Russian military compound, which was off limits to any civilians. Out of the silence a loud voice barked, “Who are you and what are you doing here?” yelled a Russian guard. “Excuse me?” replied the rabbi. “I said, who are you and what are you doing here?” After a moment, the rabbi asked the guard, “How much do you get paid every day?” “What does that have to do with you?” the guard responded. The rabbi responded, “I will pay you the equal sum if you will ask me those same two questions every day: “Who are you and what are you doing here?”
These are pertinent questions for people in the second half of life. They have a unique opportunity to re-examine and re-assess their lives and determine a new direction for their remaining years.
This is probably the most critical code-breaker in ministry with Boomers. We can help create opportunities, whether in a retreat setting or in a series of classes or small groups, that help people make that exploration. Galatians 6:4-5 in The Message says “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.”
In our ministry we use a basic re-focus process:
- Review Biblical passages that capture one’s unique purpose in life.
- Reflect on one’s own personal life and develop a timeline that reviews critical incidents, times of growth, significant people, decisions, and how God has worked in the past.
- Identify one’s core values, things about which one is passionate.
- Discover one’s gifts and strengths (using Meyers-Briggs, Strengths Finder, or other tools)
- Compose a personal mission statement that includes goals, action plans, and God-directed vision for the second half of life.
The transitions and changes at this season of life provide the stage upon which one can perform new drama—or, as some would call, an Encore!
We have found that refocusing is equally critical for women as well as men. Boomers are the “I am Woman, I am Exhausted” generation. They’ve tried to do it all—develop a career, parent, care for parents, exercise, and stay fit. This is an important time to slow down and refocus our lives and determine how to live out the bonus years.
Code Breaker #4: Find Significance
It has been said that significance is the new capital, meaning it is not enough for people to have arrived at financial security in midlife. What people really hunger for is to make a significant contribution to the world. Many Boomers are asking “Am I meant to do something more with my life?”
Bob Buford, author of HalfTime and Finishing Well, and CEO and president of Leadership Network states, “Success to me is using your knowledge and experience to build up your own portfolio. Significance is using your knowledge and experience to share with others. I really believe the church is going to be the logical gateway for increasing levels of significance in society—if the leaders in the church are willing to challenge people.”
It is important that as we plan ministry with Boomers that we don’t try to corral them into a “group” but rather train, equip, and deploy them into a world that needs their ideas and energy. We can create infrastructures that not only inspire Boomers to make a difference but provide opportunities to do so.
We have been thrilled to watch people in the second half of life tackle the challenges of our society. We’ve taken many on short-term mission trips to countries that needed their expertise and skills. We’ve seen Boomers transform schools, communities, government, businesses, and families. This may be the time that Boomers fulfill the dreams of that Beatles’ song, “They say we want a revolution, oh no, we just want to change the world …”
Opportunities Ahead
These are four code breakers that we think will begin to break down the walls for ministry with and through Boomers. The old ways are not going to work with this generation. Ministry will need to be new, fresh, innovative—and be the Boomers’ ideas!
Our conclusion is that there is plenty of passion, plenty of energy, and plenty of need! The time is now for us to be creative and work together to reach Boomers for Christ and watch them bloom!
