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Adult faith formation, by which people consciously grow in the life of Christ through worship, prayer, study, and service, is a central task of the church. At the 2008 General Conference, legislation was passed stating that “the mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” To grow in discipleship throughout life, adults need a deepening relationship with God and community, solid resources, and a positive environment that will help undergird their faith development for the transformation of the world in the 21st century. In order to assist adults in opportunities for learning and growth, teachers should be aware of the generational differences that adults experience. Although this is only one lens by which teachers can better understand their adult learners, knowledge of generational differences help teachers better comprehend the similarities and differences of adults.
Generational or age-cohort markers often reflect the values and concerns of a given generation. Usually formed when adults were youth and young adults, generational markers help identify patterns, better understand behavior, and clarify values and ethics. For example, the GI generation, born in the early years of the 20th century, experienced both the Great Depression and World War II as young adults. Both of these experiences helped shape their lives throughout their adulthood years. Likewise, Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, experienced the Vietnam War, Women’s Liberation Movement, and the Civil Rights Movement. These experiences helped shape their lives. As you review the chart below, you will see certain events, inventions, and values that shaped and influenced the lives of four generations of adults: GI, Silent, Boomer, and Generation X. As you review this chart, you may want to ask yourself the following questions:
Elderhood Older Adulthood Middle Adulthood Young Adulthood World War II Korean War Vietnam War Desert Storm Builders/Problem Solvers Openly Uncertain/Facilitators "Me" Generation/Revolutionizers Reactors/Pragmatists Conformity Conciliatory Individuality Diversity Depression Rising Affluence Economic Prosperity Rising National & Personal Debt Save Money Save and Spend Money Spend Money What Money? Lg. Ext. Family Extended Family Nuclear Family Single Parent Family Radio B&W TV Color TV/VCR PC Monitors LP Record Reel to Reel Tape 8 Track/Cassette CD/DVD Operator-Assisted Phone Rotary Phone Touchtone Phone Cell & Digital Phones Roosevelt Truman/Eisenhower JFK/Johnson/Nixon Reagan/Bush/Clinton Big Band Swing Rock'n'Roll Alternative Prohibition Alcohol/Cigarettes Marijuana/LSD Crack Cocaine Sex Taboo Birth Control/Early Marriages The Pill/Sexual Revolution HIV/AIDS/STD/Safe Sex Farm City/Town Suburbia Homeless Coffee Instant Coffee Cola Bottled Water/Designer Coffee Protestant Rising Catholic New Age & Cults Spiritual Diversity This chart first appeared in the Fall/Winter 2000 issue of Information: Adult Ministries (GBOD) and was adapted from Rocking the Ages: The Yankelovich Report on Generational Marketing by J. Walker Smith and Ann Clurman. HarperBusiness, 1997) Richard H. Gentzler is the Director, Older Adult Ministries at the General Board of Discipleship in Nashville, TN.
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