Professional Documents
Culture Documents
SENIORS
Birth Years: before 1926 Formative Factors
World War I Great Depression
Generation least affected by stress Actively engaged in church, volunteer activities Part of the Greatest Generation
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BUILDERS
Birth Years: 1927-1945 Formative Factors
Great Depression World War II Cold War
Appreciate stability
Family, Community, Friends, Employment Not open to change- prefer predictability
Emphasis on Duty, Obligation Part of the Greatest Generation Satisfaction found in simple things
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BOOMERS
Birth Years: 1946-1964
Formative Factors
Cold War 60s: Counter-Cultural Movement Vietnam
Question authority (the establishment) Uncertain of the relevance of the church Curious mixture of laissez faire and utilitarianism Search for Excellence in all of life
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BUSTERS
Birth Years: 1965-1983
Formative Factors:
Watergate Vietnam Syndrome Inflation, Unemployment Age of limitations
Question authority (Boomers are Establishment now!) First generation not to have it better Interested in process of growth, embrace change Disenchanted with superficial stuff- even in church!
Interested in relationships, involvement Want options, not directions Feel abandoned, are disillusioned
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MOSAICS/MILLENNIALS
Birth Years: 1984-2002
Formative Factors
End of Cold War MTV Age/Clinton Presidency Desert Storm
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The Digital Generation (non-linear thinking) High Levels of Stress/Anxiety Self-Reliant- and Skeptical! Interest in spirituality Believe in the Bible- but not in absolute truth! Brighter than previous generations (IQ) Relationships more important than achievement
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CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS
Currently, 75% of Americans are Caucasian By 2050, only 50% of Americans will be Caucasian The Hispanic population has overtaken AfricanAmericans as the largest minority population In some areas of the country (e.g., parts of California), there is no longer a majority population Racial and Ethnic diversity- a fact of life 15-20% of population moves every year
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CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS
Behavior Watch MTV Registered to vote Have been divorced Take anti-depressants Watched X-rated movie (last 3 months) Received prof counseling Filed lawsuit this year
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15% 3%
15% 4%
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CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS
Contemporary American Beliefs:
God helps those who help themselves, 81% All religions teach equally valid truths, 40% All people pray to the same G/god, 53% If you do enough good, you will go to heaven, 55% Jesus was not resurrected physically, 40% The Bible is not completely true in all it teaches, 34% The primary purpose of life is enjoyment, 58% Satan is not real, only a symbol of evil, 60% Whatever works is the only truth you can know, 32%>
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The effect of materialism Breakdown in commitment Yet, a renewed interest in spirituality among young people
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A developing church, characterized by youth and activity In the stage of early commitment Many forms of lay leadership prominent New relationships with the second church Legacy of Liberation Theology remains Pentecostalism is quite prominent
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THE CHURCH