Pastors

Baby Boomers have spent the past three decades dismantling and reassembling the church structures created by their parents, often in the contemporary and seeker-sensitive models. Starting about ten years ago, some of their Gen-X successors began making their own contribution to American Christianity. The "emerging church" leaders introduced postmodern worship with indigenous music combined with ancient rites and emphasis on sensory experience.

Millennial generation leaders are beginning to take their places now. Born after 1980, this next "next generation" is optimistic, globally aware, entertainment hungry, and communal. They have been affirmed and busy since they were born, and they have high self-esteem. They are the "everyone gets a trophy" generation.

The oldest are 25 years old, and are the newest youth pastors, college ministers, and seminary students. As with earlier generations, new styles of leadership and organizational expectations will develop.

We first noticed the differences ...

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