The Bookshelf
The following resources will help church leaders learn about generations and the church. Numerous book reviews are available on the Congregational Leaders' Web Site.
Available from Discipleship Resources are the following:
Aging: God's Challenge to the Church and Synagogue
by Richard Gentzler, Jr and Donald F Clingan
The authors provide important information necessary for understanding our aging society and the impact longer life is having in our congregations and communities.
Culture Shifts: A Group Bible Study for Postmodern Times
Culture Shifts is a group Bible study for postmodern times. Its purpose is to help Christians understand how changes in North American culture affect their lives and the life of the church.
NextChurch.Now: Creating New Faith Communities
NextChurch.Now suggests that the primary evangelistic strategy for the 21st century will be to establish new faith communities — both in existing congregations and in new ones.
Books from Other Publishers:
Generations: The History of America's Future
by William Strauss and Neil Howe
(William Morrow, 1991)
A foundational text on generational theory, Generations introduced the idea that U.S. history is a series of generational biographies that will repeat into the future.
The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy
by William Strauss and Neil Howe
(Broadway Books, 1997)
The Fourth Turning applies generational theory to identify our current period and to help us see that the way we view our times is influenced by our own generation.
Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation
by Neil Howe and William Strauss
(Vintage Books, 2000)
Millennials Rising shows how today's teens are defying conventional wisdom about youth. The book includes a brief review of generational theory, chapters on the values of the millennials, and a discussion of this generation's potential for greatness.
Virtual Faith: The Irreverent Spirituality of Generation X
by Tom Beaudoin
(Jossey-Bass, 1998)
Virtual Faith offers a challenging look at the effects of popular culture on the theology of young people.Adult Age-Level Characteristics