Here’s my theory about theories: most people in the first half of life don’t have the bandwidth to consider or connect with theories. The demands of getting launched and then established don’t leave much room for philosophical ruminating. But, after life leaves some scars and the years begin to take their toll, the long-term exposure to one-off stories can stimulate the construction of intellectual frameworks that allow the random rogue vignettes to create credible and lasting theories.

No surprise here: I’m in that backside of life where theories become both interesting and inescapable. One that has captured my focus in recent days is what academics call the Strauss-Howe Generational Theory. William Strauss and Neil Howe researched, wrote, and published their well-respected overview of American history in the light of successive generations, and the predictability regarding our national future based on the multiple generations who are currently in-play. Fascinating.

Our cultural dialog routinely acknowledges the presence of the demographic tribes who cohabit our nation – Boomers, Busters, Millennials and Gen-Zs – but their uniqueness is often considered more for marketing than for ministry. In church life, generational preferences are often more in evidence regarding music styles and appropriate attire than the more significant questions about beneficial collaboration. 

As Warren Cole Smith – the President/Editor of Ministry Watch and graduate of The Master’s Program – writes:

“It is difficult to find a more age-segregated institution than the evangelical movement. Our churches have youth groups that sometimes don’t even worship with adults. We have bus tours for seniors, and summer camps for teens. I once interviewed a pastor who said he had never done a funeral in the 10-plus years he had been the pastor of his church. There were simply no old people in attendance. As a purely practical matter, such age segregation is a massive waste of human resources. We are living and staying healthier longer. It is not just possible but likely that someone who retires at age 65 will live another 20 years.”

Generational awareness is not the product of our modern era. From the earliest recording of eternal Truth, God has made generations a dominant theme. From Asaph, in the Psalms:

“I will teach you hidden lessons from our past – stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders. For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them – even the children not yet born – and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God.” — Psalm 78

John Piper – pastor and church leader from Minnesota – has been in attack mode toward generational malfeasance. Quoting Piper:

“I will tell you what a tragedy is. I will show you how to waste your life. Consider a story from Reader’s Digest about a couple who took early retirement five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida; they cruise on their 30-foot trawler, play softball, and collect shells… Tragically, this was the dream: come to the end of your life – your one and only precious, God-given life – and let the last great work of your life, before you give an account to your Creator, be this: playing softball and collecting shells. Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgment. That is a tragedy. And people today are spending billions of dollars to persuade you to embrace that tragic dream. Don’t buy it. Don’t waste your life.”

In terms of generational affiliation, I’m a Boomer. My concern: my generation is seeking to live the life of the Rich Fool (see Luke 12:13-21) as a demonstration and declaration of “success.” 

How are you handling the reality of “generational theory” in your own life and leadership? Expect more next week as I continue to unpack this crucial understanding…

Bob Shank

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