I am not a Baby Boomer. I am a Generation Xer. I don’t know what it was like to grow up in the 60s. I have to rely on what has been written about the group born between 1943 and 1960 (I recognize that different years have been used as the parameters for defining a generation). I am going to make sweeping generalities and paint an entire generation with a very broad brush. I will share some characteristics of this generation that belongs to the United States post-war baby boom. Then I will add some “how to’ minister to and with Baby Boomers.
Let me hit on some factors that may have influenced Baby Boomers…
Media:
In 1946, 7,000 television sets were sold.
In 1948, just 2 years later- 172,000 were sold.
In 1950, 2 years later- 5 million TVs were sold.
Television viewing was a family event, because most households had only one TV. The family would watch together. The TV expanded the neighborhood, you could now watch in black and white images of what was happening in the world.
Kids were able to see Elvis and later the Beatles on TV. They saw coonskin caps, hula hoops, slinkys, silly putty, and they simply ‘had to have them.’ As more TVs were sold, programming grew. Soon families could afford more than one TV. The family became as segmented as Dad watched his show, and mom watched a program that interested her. Think about the landmark events that you saw on television- footage from Vietnam, JFKS funeral, the moon landing, protests, assassinations.
Boomers who grew up in the late 40s and 50s had a quality of life all their own; a time of almost uncontested conservatism, as reflected in the emphasis put on family togetherness rather than individual needs, conventional gender roles, churchgoing, anti-communism, and free-enterprise capitalism. An expanding economy combined with the G.I. Bill and VHA loans gave unprecedented numbers of Americans the opportunity to obtain an education, a better job, and a chance to buy a home in the newly emerging suburbs. Working classmen and women enjoyed as never before hopes for sharing the American Dream. With security as the common thread, Cold War ideology and domesticity reinforced ach other. Young couples were expected to follow in their parent’s footsteps, embracing the containment ethos that undergirded both foreign policy and family life of the 50s.
Parents indulged their Boomer children. Dr. Spock and his best selling child care philosophy was all about catering to the child’s needs. Parents bought in. Once Baby Boomers realized they had the spotlight—the ME generation didn’t want to give it up. However, as time went on, and they saw the injustices of the world brought into their shag carpeted living rooms- they wanted to rebel. It gave birth to the civil rights movement, the women’s rights movement, the anti-war movement. Kent State, Watergate, Vietnam. Sure they didn’t start the fire—but they were going to figure out a way to solve the problems of the world.
Church going was a very normal part of life for many young Boomers. Churches didn’t disciple young people. The children were Confirmed and set free. Many Boomers felt their church or their pastor was out of touch, or they were on the wrong side of the issues. Religion became more personal, and Boomers sought out a new spirituality.
Baby Boomers found themselves going in an either/or direction. They gravitated toward a Conservative or Liberal religious outlook.
I want to share a few values that have been embraced by the Baby Boom generation. (Again, these don’t apply to everyone born between 1943 and 1960.)
They are compassionate and emotionally responsive. They stand up for causes, and fight for what they believe is right. The debate becomes emotional.
They want the church to meet their needs.
They are busy people. Time is valuable.
They love the gizmos and gadgets. But they appreciate quality. They’ll pay more for a quality item.
Short term commitments. Boomers are more likely to leave a church over a disagreement, “in protest” of course.
They are non-traditionalists. Boomers don’t mind change—unless it affects them.
Finally, Boomers value education. Before GenX they were the most educated in the country.
So, how can the church invite and include Boomers.
Take Boomers out of meetings and get them into ministry. Boomers are workers. They want to be involved, and meetings can be time-consuming. Boomers want to get it done and get home.
They will work on short term mission projects. This appeals to 3 Boomer values: you honor their time, their short term commitment and you will get them doing something. Habitat for Humanity is a great example of a short term mission project.
Boomers do like to talk. They are happy to share their views with you. Faith sharing events could be wonderful.
If they value education, get them involved in Religious Education. Try a few Bible studies that are short term.
Treat worship as a celebration. Boomers have an affinity for music, let the music be upbeat and celebratory. Boomers are not afraid of contemporary Christian music. Let Boomers be involved in the process of worship.
When it comes to charity or stewardship, try to stress what the giver is getting in return. Boomers don’t care about maintaining. Appeal to their sense of mission.
Boomers want ministry that affects them.
The church needs to face the ministries of every generation, but hopefully this has shed some light on one generation.
