Generational differences are common in the workplace, home and churches. Leaders that effectively address these differences begin the process with understanding; realizing that the differences stem from each generation having very different experiences in life and living in a different world.

Hayne Shaw, in his book Sticking Points: How to Get 4 Generations Working Together in the 12 Places they Come Apart, outlines five steps for leading groups through generational differences:

1. Acknowledge
   Talking about generational differences by bringing differences and frustration out in the open, where they can be resolved. Ideally, all generations should have a voice in this conversation. Avoid “managing” separate situations by making new policies at this point. Place emphasis on talking and not resolving.
2. Appreciate
   Placing focus on appreciation for other generations will steer the conversation away from complaints and finger pointing. Introduce common need early in the discussion and focus on the “why” instead of the “what,” of how attaining that common need may differ. Those leading may need to redirect a group numerous times, before they get the hang of this new way of thinking. Until people understand why other generations work differently, some will remain irritated and the group will pull apart. For example, one common need is communication among church staff. Younger workers may tend to email or instant message coworkers and listen to music on headphones while on the computer. Older workers may prefer talking over their cubicles or attending meetings. However, when asked “why,” both groups respond that they are trying to be efficient and communicate well. The idea is to appreciate common goals, while acknowledging the different approaches; allowing further discussion.
3. Flex
   Agree on how to accommodate different approaches. Consider training; the four generations prefer to learn differently. Some organizations have argued over classroom verses online training for years. Don’t argue – flex. Offer both and let people choose. The common need is not how people learn, but what they learn. The key is separating preferences from needs. Clearly not everything is flexible, but communication is always essential.
4. Leverage
   Maximize the strengths of each generation. Leveraging differences so that one person’s (group’s) strength makes up for another’s weakness. It is easy to miss strengths and focus on irritations; effective leadership brings out the positive in what others think are negatives. Leveraging the strength of each generation builds a team.
5. Resolve
   Determine which option will yield the best results (when flexing isn’t enough). Discuss how the group will move forward in those situations where everyone’s preferences cannot be accommodated. Often issues are resolved through a combination of flex-resolve. For instance, a youth pastor may allow students to use their smart phones to access bible apps, but request that they not text or play games during youth group.

Generationally, we will always feel more at home in our own “country.” However, intentional conversations will help members from all four generations learn about the other “countries.” Such understanding is essential to the revitalization and growth of church.

Today, it is common to see generational differences popping up in businesses, organizations, and families. In any one church, we have five generations in the general population and four generations working and worshiping together. In a changing and confusing world, believers often turn to the church for comfort and guidance; some people come to church looking for the one thing in their lives that is not changing. Therefore, the differences in cultural styles and preferences of these very different generations inevitably cause friction points; especially if there is a perceived loss, change or absence of what brings comfort or guidance. Experts on generational relations agree, it takes intentionality and purposeful work for organizations to create more productive teams, reduce turnover, and retain top talent. It is no different in the church, intentional conversation and planning is needed to address the issues of church decline and disciplining the next generation in a changing world.

Generally, there are four approaches to addressing the generational differences: ignore the differences; “fix” the other group; cut a deal; or lead.   Ignoring is the “easiest” approach; it takes the form of those in power just not addressing the issue or isolating the smaller group. The status quo is maintained and the group without power feels marginalized and unheard, until they drift away. “Fixing” the other group happens when the group is too large to ignore and often involves the older generation creating a program that addresses the perceived “broken” areas of the younger generation. Cutting a deal happens when changes are made to try and attract the younger generation in response to larger numbers of the younger group becoming more vocal or leaving. Inevitably, one or more of the generations will be upset by the changes or lack thereof. Ignoring, fixing and cutting a deal all involve management – managers see a problem, come up with a solution and announce the decision. Leadership starts with understanding; understanding leaves room for realizing that the differences may have to do with each generation having very different experiences in life and living in a different world.  The most common complaint coming from frustrated people in all four generations is “They don’t get it.” Acknowledging that we will always feel more at home in our own “country” is part of the process. The next steps involve helping lead members from all four generations learn about the other “countries;” acknowledging that each generation (including their own) has both strengths and weaknesses; and recognizing the “sticking points” – places where generations working and living together get “stuck.” These sticking points have the potential to either get a church stuck or help it stick together.

Haydn Shaw, in his book, Sticking Points: How to Get 4 Generations Working Together in the 12 Places They Come Apart, addresses these issues, as it relates to the work place. Haydn is a believer and a church planter; he has a heart for bringing to the church his expertise, from over twenty years of consulting on generational differences for Franklin-Covey. The content of this article comes from Haydn’s work. Look for subsequent articles addressing each of the four generations in detail – experiences shaping them, strengths and weaknesses – and ways to turn the 12 “sticking points” from problems to potential.

Spiritual Formation in Emerging Adulthood: A Practical Theology for College and Young Adult Ministry

Consider the many life changes that occur from ages 18-20: high school to college; family life to college life to living independently; predetermined set of rules to determining one’s own rules; part-time jobs to a vocation; financial dependence to financial independence; being in family to starting one’s own family.

This stage of life has been marked by a general drift away from the church. Christian scholars generally agree that Christian practices and participation are likely to decline even when beliefs remain intact. So these years are essential for faith and worldview development

In Spiritual Formation in Emerging Adulthood: A Practical Theology for College and Young Adult Ministry, David Setran and Chris Kiesling, both veteran teachers with backgrounds in college and young adult ministry, have researched this stage of life and have written an impressive volume encompassing good research and practical ideas.

Spiritual Formation works to bridge a gap in the existing literature by being a practical theology for college and young adult ministry. It combines both current scholarship with theological vision and provides realistic ministry applications.

The main areas addressed in this book include faith, spiritual formation, identity, church involvement, vocational opportunities, morality, relationships, sexuality and mentoring. In each of these areas Kiesling and Setran present the current cultural landscape and identify the important influences. Using Scripture, theology and other academic disciplines they delineate key postures and practices designed to facilitate spiritual formation and equip those working with and among emerging adults. Although they describe emerging adulthood as a time of formidable challenge they also present it as a time of great opportunity for the church.

The authors contend that part of our calling as adults is to help emerging adults unleash their potential energy into channels through which the kingdom can infiltrate church and world for God. The book attempts to address and answer two key questions. First, what does the gospel bring to these emerging adults in transition? Second, what do emerging adults shaped by this same gospel within these communities offer to the church and their world in the way of truth, healing and hope?

One of the challenges the book addresses stems from the default faith position of many emerging adults called Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, a term (presumably) coined by Christian Smith in his book Souls in Transition. It is its own religion that promises personal assistance in making life better while making few demands on emerging adults in terms of identity, lifestyle and purpose. Because of this, the authors contend, many emerging adults are not being formed by Biblical faith into the image of Christ but, instead, are forming a faith that will shape them into their own image of happiness. This ultimately is idolatry – false worship – and a false pathway on which many young adults, both in and outside of the church, find themselves.

One of the central tasks, as the authors see it, is to help emerging adults detect, identify and abandon competing sources of worship. Throughout the book, the authors outline frameworks for spiritual formation in emerging adults. But no quick fixes are presented. Rather, entering into emerging adults’ lives through mentoring and guiding these young adults in their years of experimentation and exploration is the prescription. And in each section the authors call the larger church to stay (or become) involved in emerging adult lives. The church cannot allow itself to become removed from its position of influence in this transitory stage, but must remain steadfastly involved in order that a new generation of adults will own and live their faith in Christ.

If you are involved in college or young adult ministry or know someone who is, buy the book, read it and give it to someone – a parent of young adults, a pastor with a church that has young adults, a college or young adult worker. You will give them a jumpstart in understanding, praying for and ministering to emerging adults.

Written by: Rev. Dan Weidman, Student & College Ministries Committee

Why New City Church chooses to partner with the CCO to minister to college students: An interview with the Rev. Dr. Rodger Woodworth

New City Church is a year-and-a-half-old EPC church plant in downtown Pittsburgh. New City Church partners with the CCO (Coalition for Christian Outreach) to reach out to Point Park University students. Rodger Woodworth, the Lead Pastor of New City, served as chair of the EPC’s National Outreach Committee, which is where the partnership between the EPC and the CCO was born.

Why does New City Church choose to partner with the CCO?

We partner with the CCO because it sees itself as a true parachurch organization. The CCO comes alongside the church because, in the words of its President Dan Dupee, it believes “the church is where college students are equipped to live out their faith for the long haul.”

Why is New City Church committed to ministry to college students?

We are committed to ministry to college students because they are the future of the church and the future of God’s missional Kingdom. More specifically, at New City Church we are called to a mission in downtown Pittsburgh, and Point Park University has made a long-term commitment to the flourishing of the downtown neighborhood. By ministering to their students, we join Point Park in seeking that common good.

What has been the benefit of having CCO staff member Michael Thornhill working with you and with students at Point Park University?

We are a congregation committed to a vision of a multi-generational and multi-racial church. We recruited Michael with that vision in mind as he is an African- Cuban American who has the gifts, experience, and personality to minister to all ages. Michael has the ability to cross the divide of race and artistic culture that is unique to Point Park University.

Do congregation members participate in the ministry to students? If yes, how?

As we are a church plant that is a year and a half old and renting space in a restaurant/bar, the congregation’s participation has been limited to Sunday mornings. However, students have been invited to families’ homes for dinner. Millicent, an African American single woman and one of our downtown residents, frequently has students over for pizza and to experience her 24^th-floor apartment that looks into PNC Park. She invited several students who were unable to get home to join her for Thanksgiving dinner—from Boston Market as Millicent doesn’t cook.

An atheist friend of Millicent’s joined them for Thanksgiving and while a conversation about faith was taking place around the table, she asked Michael what it meant to love Jesus. Michael shared the gospel and a wonderful discussion followed. I think the honest and inquisitive nature of college students often opens others up to seek and ask questions they would normally not pursue.

Are there parachurch campus ministries on college campuses near you that are not especially interested in connecting students to the local church? How does your congregation draw students into the life of the church?

There are other campus ministries at Point Park, but none have the level of commitment to the church as that of the CCO. We attempt to draw students to New City primarily through the relationships Michael builds. Every first Sunday of the month, we have a simple meal after church and students are invited, whether they attend worship or not. We have them participate in the service as often as possible, and since Point Park is big in the arts—drama, dance, theatre productions—we pray for and celebrate students’ upcoming projects. One young African American student was baptized this past summer, and every Thursday at noon, students, CCO staff, and a few church members do a prayer walk around the downtown campus.

College Students

Each year hundreds of college students convene for a weekend in Pittsburgh for the CCO’s annual Jubilee conference, which is designed to inspire and equip them to live out their Christian faith in every area of their lives. There is still time for college students to register for the conference and explore how God has uniquely equipped each student for His purposes, in all areas of their life.

CCO Partnership Track

Jubilee is also for college ministry and church leaders already partnering with CCO or interested in exploring a partnership. Jubilee Partner is a special track during Jubilee 2014 designed especially to engage those leaders with a desire to reach college students with the life-changing message of the Gospel. The theme of Jubilee Partner 2014 is 360 Degrees of Transformation, and in addition to the regular Jubilee sessions, you will have opportunities to hear from CCO President Dan Dupee and a panel of college seniors.

EPC Breakfast

Please contact CCO Partnership Coordinator Elliott Simko at

esimko@ccojubilee.org for further details about a special Saturday morning breakfast meeting at Jubilee exclusively for EPC members and leaders.

Among others, we expect to welcome representatives from the following EPC congregations:

• First Evangelical Presbyterian Church (Kokomo, IN)
• Manoa Community Church (Havertown, PA)
• Memorial Park Church (Allison Park, PA)
• New City Church (Pittsburgh, PA)
• North Park Church (Wexford, PA)

When: February 14-16, 2014

Where: The David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh. Hotel accommodations are available to you at a special rate at the nearby Omni William Penn.

Cost: Registration for Jubilee Partner is FREE of charge for you and those you choose to invite, but housing is not included. We have negotiated a special price of $99 per night per room for Friday and Saturday (February 14 and 15) at the Omni William Penn. (This is a flat room fee—so if you share a room with others, the price per night decreases accordingly!)

To take advantage of this special rate, when you register for housing, type the word partner in the discount code box for each night you will be staying. Again, this is a flat rate per night for the room (not per person).

Click here to register for Jubilee Partner. (FREE)

Click here to make your hotel reservation.($99 per night per room; don’t forget to enter the discount code partner)

And check out the promo video for Jubilee 2014!

In 2007, College Ministries entered into a partnership agreement with CCO (Coalition for Christian Outreach). CCO is a unique campus ministry in that it grew out of a vision to partner with local churches to reach college students for Jesus Christ. They work with churches to reach students on a variety of campuses, from small private schools to large state universities and commuter campuses. They reach out to traditional 18- to 22-year-old students as well as to graduate students and nontraditional students, such as through their international student ministries. Currently CCO is partnering with churches in Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington D.C. Several EPC churches are already partnering with CCO. The following is the first in a series of articles featuring these exciting partnerships.

How the CCO helps Memorial Park Church reach local college students: An interview with Lead Pastor, D. Dean Weaver

Memorial Park Church is an Evangelical Presbyterian Church located in Allison Park, Pennsylvania, a northern suburb of Pittsburgh. Memorial Park Church partners with the CCO to reach out to international students at nearby La Roche College. What follows is an interview with D. Dean Weaver, Memorial Park Church’s Lead Pastor.

Why does Memorial Park Church choose to partner with the CCO?

We love the CCO’s love for college students. We share the same desire to see transformation and value their highly relational approach. The CCO is the best fit for Memorial Park—in worldview and practice!

Why is Memorial Park Church committed to ministry to college students?

We are committed to ministry to college students because they are made in the image of God—and this may be the most strategic time in their lives to engage the whole person with the whole gospel.

What has been the benefit of having CCO staff member David Kuehl working with you and with students at La Roche College?

David and his family have become integrated into both the family of Memorial Park and the family of La Roche College, and that has helped to bridge the gap with our college neighbors. David has been a great ambassador for us at La Roche, and we love all the international students that hang out with him at MPC. It makes our community life richer!

Do congregation members participate in the ministry to international students? If yes, how? Of course, students and congregation members spend time together on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings around our worship services, as well as in our members’ homes over the holidays. But the thing I love is watching folks from MPC taking a student “under their wing” to review their resume, coach them on job interviewing, and work alongside them in outreach and mission projects. That is where the transformation occurs—on both sides!

Click here to learn more about Memorial Park Church, and click here to learn more about the CCO’s ministry at La Roche College.

Online Faith Practices, Fact-Checking Sermons and Digital Donations

Most would agree that today’s Millennials (18-29 year olds) are the most technologically savvy generation to date. We are also discovering that their faith experience and practice is also unique. So what happens when these two worlds collide?

For centuries the church has taught on practices such as prayer, Scripture reading, Sabbath observance, and gathering for Sunday worship. The daily practices of Millennials include social media, finding answers to questions by “Googling it,” scrolling thorough Facebook, Instagram and Twitter during leisure time, and texting conversations and information via smart phones. Are these ancient observances and contemporary practices mutually exclusive or potentially compatible at certain juncture points?

Some interesting ideas are explored by the Barna Group as a result of their latest study – What happens when the technological trends and spiritual characteristics collide? A few of these ideas can be helpful to churches as they consider ways to reach and engage Millennials. The study brought three ideas to the surface: Faith in Real Time, Fact Checking Sermons and Digital Donations.

“Faith in Real Time”

Millennials are digital natives; therefore, church leaders are safe to assume that this fact will overlap into their realm of faith. Here are just a few examples of their online faith practices:

• Scripture – 70% of practicing Christian Millennials read Scripture on a screen. The use of YouVersion (a free Bible phone app) is an escalating trend and Biblegateway.com is one of the top Christian websites today. One-third of all Millennials read sacred Scripture online or on their phone.
• Church Websites – 56% of practicing Christian Millennials use an online search to scope out a church – checking it out from a distance, as a prerequisite for committing to show up in person. One-third of all Millennials have searched for a church, temple or synagogue online.
• Online Searches for Questions – 59% of practicing Christian Millennials search for spiritual content online. The search bar is as readily used by Millennials when they are curious about a restaurant, as it might be for issues of faith. This creates an interesting opportunity for churches, since 30% of all Millennials (including non-practicing Christians) take to the internet looking for spiritual content.
• Online Videos – 54% of practicing Christian Millennials and 34% of all Millennials view videos pertaining to faith.

“Fact Checking Sermons”

Millennials view life as interactive. One way they make their faith interactive is by bringing their devices to church and making use of them. They forage in multiple digital places at any given time, including – texting, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterist, Wikipedia, news feeds and blogs. 38% of practicing Christian Millennials say they do not take teaching at face-value and will “fact-check” to verify the content of a faith leader’s talk. 14% of all Millennials indicate they have done the same.

“Digital Donations”

Millennials are generous with their money, but for the most part, the means they use is paperless. The generosity of young adults is significant when looking at giving opportunities such as the Passion 2013 conference, a four-day gathering of 60,000 university students in Atlanta. Attendees donated over $3 million to fund organizations and causes in the freedom fight for the 27 million human slaves around the world. 20% of practicing Christian Millennials indicate they text to donate at least once a month; 10% of all Millennials do likewise. This generation is on the go and digital donations are their preferred means of giving and when presented with a compelling reason, they give generously and often immediately.

Implications of Colliding Trends

Barna concludes their research with the following findings – Millennials desire radical transparency and tend to “exhibit institutional distrust” giving them an “heightened sensitivity for artificiality and false promotion;” they “desire relevant, two-way communication on a wide-range of topics,” and there are numerous opportunities to engage Millennials online with content and in discussion, including those who have left the church.

Note: This article is a summation of the following story: How Technology is Changing Millennial Faith. For more information and graphics, see the reviewed article at https://www.barna.org/barna-update/millennials/640-how-technology-is-changing-millennial-fait

For years, many in youth ministry talked about the one to-five ratio of adults-to-students as the optimal goal for everything from retreats to small groups.  Leaders worked hard to build a volunteer youth ministry team that reflected the 1 to 5 ratio.

Today, the world has changed. There are new cultural realities, students experience more brokenness, and many Millennials have unresolved doubts or questions concerning the faith of their parents.

Several years ago Chap Clark, author of Hurt 2.0: Inside the World of Today’s Teenagers, suggested a different approach to address these changes.  He went on to say that “We need to change the definition of youth ministry from just helping kids to grow in their faith to helping them become fully developed believers in Christ in the community of the Church.”  Clark, along with other leaders in youth and parent ministry, like Walt Mueller of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, essentially turn the 1:5 ratio on its head.

“What if we flipped that ratio upside down? What if we said we need five adults pouring into one kid?”  Kara Powell, author of Sticky Faith.

According to Clark, “Every kid needs five adult fans. Any young person who shows any interest in Christ needs a minimum of five people of various ages who will say, ‘I’m going to love that kid until they are fully walking as an adult member of this congregation.’”

Now the obvious reaction of leaders is going to be, “I’m having a hard enough time recruiting one small group leader for five kids, and now you want me to round up five leaders for every single kid?” Kara Powell, author of Sticky Faith.  But the good news is these adults are not all youth leaders.

Relationship is the key element.  Among twentysomethings who remain active in their faith beyond high school 59% report having a close personal friendship with an adult inside the church, according to a Barna study.  Furthermore, 28% of Millennials who stayed active had an adult mentor at church, other than their pastor.

Churches can really get creative in this 5:1 approach, including the involvement of a variety of adult mentors:  youth leader, small group leader, career mentors, mentors in their hobby, recent college grads, married couples, senior citizens, and prayer partners.  This approach has the potential to bless the young adults, mentors and the congregation as a whole.

Taking a Closer Look at Once Church-Going Millennial

Thankfully many young adults have a growing faith and a strong connection with their church.  However, there is a growing trend that many of us have observed and recent polls by Gallop, UC-Berkley and Duke University and Barna confirm:  a growing number of Millennials (age 18-29 years old) who once attended church are either claiming no religious affiliation, dropping out of regular church attendance or are attending less regularly.

Who are these young adults in our midst and how do we best care for them, as they struggle with their faith and consequently their relationship to the church?  One way is to gain a bit more insight into the various paths these young adults took to arrive at the point where their faith and/or church are no longer a priority.

Author, David Kinnaman, in his book You Lost Me,  considered the answers given by these once church-going Millennials and deduced that they generally travelled along one of three spiritual journeys.  The three travelers are – nomads, prodigals and exiles.

Nomads – Consider themselves Christians, but have trouble identifying with a church or a particular “brand” of Christianity.  They “love Jesus, but not the church;” they appear to be wanderers, but claim they retain their faith.

Prodigals – Have lost their faith and are fairly certain they will never return to the Christian faith. They often express having some kind of intellectual change or emotional injury, leading to their long-term dismissal of the Christian faith.

Exiles – They chose to remain in the institutional church; however, they have a tough time finding a place in the church setting.  They struggle to find a way to connect their everyday life with their faith and the church.

Think about the young adults in your life who you haven’t seen at church for a while.  What path may have led them to drift away from the church?  Do you think they might be a Nomad, Prodigal or Exile?

If you have someone in mind, instead of an invitation to a church event, meet them for coffee sometime soon.  Consider asking a few open ended questions concerning:  their faith, Jesus, the church, intellectual concerns, emotional injuries, or connecting faith with their passions, career and relationships.  This journey will likely take more than one cup of coffee or one visit to the coffee house.  In following the call to “Go into all the World” we may end up venturing into the world of Nomads, Prodigals and Exiles.

The Student and College Ministries Committee would like to connect with ministry leaders from every EPC church.  Members join the committee with a sincere desire to serve those who are called by God to reach and disciple the next generation.  We’ve created two surveys, just to get the conversation started with leaders (staff, volunteer, full-time and part-time).

The first is short and sweet – Just a Get-to-Know you and your ministry survey.  Please take a few minutes to introduce yourself to our committee members at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GetToKnowSCMLdrs.

Your thoughts and ideas are the driving force behind the direction the committee will take in the future.  Therefore, we’d like to dig a little deeper and hear your perspective on the important issue of how to effectively disciple the next generation of young adults, in the midst of the significant challenges they face.  If you have a few more minutes, please let us know your thoughts at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SCMSurvey2013.

Thank you for your time; your input is essential and greatly appreciated.

Take part in the survey by June 2013 at www.surveymonkey.com/s/SCMSurvey2013.

Most of us in ministry have heard the statistics and read the articles. The stats vary, but the numbers are still notable, anywhere from 60-75% of Christian young people leave the church after high school.

In his book Revolution (2007), George Barna, indicated that if current trends in the belief systems and practices of the younger generation continue, in ten years, church attendance will be half the size it is today. According to pollsters, for the generation now coming of age, they believe it’s more than the usual “driver’s license to marriage license” joy ride.

Barna Research president David Kinnaman, after a five-year-study, determined that most church leaders are unequipped to deal with this “new normal.” According to Kinnaman, the two most common responses are: ignoring the situation, hoping young adults will return when they are older and have children or building the church on the preference of young people, excluding older members. Both responses miss the mark.

So the question becomes, as church leaders, how do we beat the odds? What is God revealing to His churches in the EPC?

The Student & College Ministries Committee is asking EPC church leaders to take a survey entitled, How Do We Foster Sustainable Faith in Young Adults? We believe that there is great merit in sharing our ideas, as God reveals His plan for our young people in our individual churches and in the EPC.

Your input is vital! We hope to accumulate the thoughts and ideas of pastors, ruling elders, parents, youth leaders, college ministry leaders, volunteers, staff and anyone concerned about young people. Please take the time to share your thoughts in the survey here, www.surveymonkey.com/s/SCMSurvey2013 by August 30, 2013.