Conclusion: Talkin Bout My Generation

Well, hopefully you’ve enjoyed our tour of the generations. Every generation is unique, and it’s fun to see what makes each one tick.

Over the past few weeks, we identified how the spiritual climate has changed in America in the last three quarters of a century. Whereas two generations ago our country could be defined as a Christian nation, today we have completed a change that re-categorizes us as decidedly post-Christian.


So where does that leave us today?


I firmly believe that this is not the end of the story for the American church, for God is always superintending history to ensure the furtherance of the gospel. As I theorized in my post, “The 500-year Pattern of Reformation,” twice a millennium God endows His people with the unique purpose of re-forming the church.* If this is true, then the transition we are experiencing in our nation is no accident -- the time of reformation is now, and we are the people!

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In fact, all of us – from Silents to Millennials – have strongpoints that can be used as building blocks for the vibrant church of the future:

• Millennials, it’s no coincidence that God has created you – a generation who wants nothing more than to transform the world around them – and placed you perfectly in history in a time of reformation. You have the vision and the drive to start movements that change lives. In fact, sociologists are calling you the Next Greatest Generation because you are exhibiting some of the same altruistic characteristics of the GI generation. We need you to lead us into this new era with your optimism and authenticity. 

• Generation X, many of us are primed and ready for the reformation. Like Millennials, we are more concerned with organic relationships than institutional loyalty. We are tired of what we consider to be commercialization and programmatic thinking. We are ready to deepen our relationships with God and with other believers.

• Boomers, since you love to reinvent everything in your path, experts are predicting that you will be at the forefront of ushering in this new movement. Many of you are becoming bored with the institutional church, and that itch to revolutionize is kicking in. What a perfect setup for you to help lead the way forward for the rest of us.

• Silent Generation, you have the knowledge and wisdom that comes from having grown up in churches with solid Biblical doctrine that can be passed on to the younger generations. You understand the foundational truths of the gospel: the deity of Christ and the authority of Scripture. As the most Biblically literate generation, you have the opportunity to transmit these foundational truths to the rest of us. As I talk to Millennials, a theme I hear over and over is that they want to be discipled, and so you may be a perfect fit for that desire. 

Of course, I’m just scratching the surface as to what is possible. My hope is that an inter-generational dialogue will begin in our nation, one where we explore more fully what each of our contributions might be.


As generations partnering together, we are building the church of the next 500 years. It is time for change, and the change is worth celebrating. It’s an exciting time to be alive!