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Demographic Profile Sketch: Meet the Baby Boomers!
By chris | July 3, 2008
I am going to post a few items I am working on related to some reading I have been doing in the area of generational ministry. I’ve been reading a lot of books and doing research on the subject for a while, and now I want to share a few items of interest. I hope these help you in your ministry. Watch for other posts on Gen-X, the Millennial Generation, then an article or two on using demographic profiles and personas mini ministry communications. Stay tuned!
Baby Boomers
- Years they were born: 1946-1964
- Number in the segment: 78 Million (25% of the US population)
- Key Characteristics: Optimistic, Moralistic, Educated, Passionate, Team-oriented, and Self-Developing
Baby Boomers came of age in a time of unprecedented prosperity in the United States. Their optimistic attitude comes because they tend to take material things for granted. Their generation has always been the focus of interest in general society as they have had the starring role during every phase of their development. Rather than aspiring to the American Dream, Boomers have been born into it.
They are the most educated generation in American history. Boomers tend to be learners who are constantly on a quest of personal development.
Boomers have brought sweeping social and cultural change to the United States throughout their lifetimes. They have a more informal approach to life that changed the business world from formal suits and ties to “business casual.” They prefer to work in teams. Their tastes in music, movies, and design have shaped the present American context.
In addition, they have changed the social values in the United States with regard to women’s rights, racial equality, changes in sexual mores, and the rearing of children. Baby Boomers have a strong need to define what they do in terms of morality and right and wrong. They are the force behind movements from the Hippies and Free Love– to the Jesus People and contemporary Christian music.
As the first generation that was raised on TV, they have shaped the world with technological innovations like the invention of the personal computer, the internet, satellite networks, etc. Most of America’s technical engineers are Baby Boomers. They also have innovated in just about every area of learning especially in science, sociology, psychology and business.
Warning: Don’t Ignore them!
Boomers are not going away any time soon and any ministry that neglects to prepare for the future that is about to be visited on the church is going to suffer! Boomers will shape the future of ministry, between now and 2015 the people reaching retirement age will increase 54%. Boomers are not going to hang up their hats! Senior adult ministry will be the next “new thing”, forget your tat-laden angry Postmodernists—get ready for two waves of hip oldsters 38+ million strong as the Boomers come to traditional retirement age between 2011-2020, then again as 38+ million “Generation Jones” (a subset of the Boomers) hit 65+.
Ministering to Boomers
- Don’t talk to them like they are getting old. They don’t anticipate age or health to slow them down.
- Focus on the future! Boomers see limitless horizons ahead of them, show them a long-range vision
- Be relevant in the here and now. Boomers are “now” oriented, that’s why they spend rather than save (and why they didn’t see social change happening under their watch in the church—but I digress!)
- Include them in the faith conversation, don’t assume they are sketpical “hippies.” 1/3 of them have values that are nearly identical to Evangelical Christianity (see Yankelovich’s “Straight Arrows”). 45% of them attend church already.
- A majority of them are “black and white” thinkers with a strong sense of ethical clarity
- Don’t assume a college education, but do assume an agenda for personal fulfillment and improvement.
- They are not big on working through traditional institutions , rather they like working outside the system.
- Programs, campaigns, slogans, big movements get them pumped up
- They are “technology immigrants” that love/hate gadgets. (Hence the digital device often seen growing out of their ears that they think is both stupid and cool!)
Further Reading:
- Ageless Generation by J. Walker Smith, Ann Clurman
- The American Marketplace
Topics: Demographics, Uncategorized |
July 3rd, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I think it was of benefit we grew up and raised families during a prosperous era. THe stress was much less..We all have personal stress in our lives …and today we are faced with so many difficult situations..(Not to repeate any of them)…So count your blessings if you grew up during that great era. carol stanley author of “For Kids 59.99 and Over”