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Followers Under 40: The journey away from church for Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha
The church has a problem. We are aging, clergy are aging, and churches are in decline. So, what do we do? How do we reach younger generations? In Followers Under 40, Gilmore and Sledge take a closer look at the defining qualities and characteristics of Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha while also exploring why they are leaving the church, with steps any congregation can take to begin reaching young adults today.
Written by Kris Sledge and Rachel Gilmore, Followers Under 40 is a book that addresses the critical relationship between the church and young adults today. The authors, who are Millennial pastors, aim to examine why many churches today struggle to effectively engage with young adults while offering constructive approaches to bridge this gap.
Followers Under 40 includes three 1 provides detailed profiles of three Millennials (born 1980-1996), Generation Z (born 1997-2012), and Generation Alpha (born 2012-2027). This helps readers understand the unique characteristics and experiences that shape each generation's worldview.Section 2 explores these generations' common concerns and problems with the church, examining each generation's specific challenges.Section 3 presents five practical approaches to address these issues.Throughout the book, the authors maintain a balanced perspective, affirming their belief in the church as one of God's primary instruments for bringing about positive change in the world while acknowledging how the church has caused harm and failed in this work. Their goal is to inspire church leaders to critically examine their practices and create more inclusive, diverse, and life-giving spaces where younger generations can experience true belonging, community, and connection with God.
Every leader, both lay and clergy, in every local church should read Followers Under 40.What Readers Are Saying About Followers Under 40:
I commend this book to everyone who genuinely seeks to be in authentic relationship with young people in their communities of faith.
Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut, Desert Southwest Conference & New Mexico Conference of The United Methodist Church
In a landscape where many are leaving the church, Kris and Rachel remind us of the profound potential for transformation that lies within. Followers Under 40 is a must-read for anyone passionate about revitalizing the church and ensuring it remains a vital instrument for good, healing, and justice in the world.
Michael Adam Beck, Author, Never Sharing the Gift of Community in a Lonely World
This is not a book that wallows in despair at what once was! Together, they provide insights into emerging generations and practical ways churches can revise ministries to provide pathways for intergenerational communities where faith intersects with life in transforming ways.
Bishop Karen Oliveto, Retired Bishop of The United Methodist Church
Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop.
Kenda Creasy Dean, Author, Almost What the Faith of Our Teenagers Is Telling the American Church
Followers Under 40 by Rachel Gilmore and Kris Sledge is a pastoral gift for the church at this critical moment.
Rev. Dr. Drew Hart, Author, Who Will Be A Witness?: Igniting Activism for God’s Justice, Love, and Deliverance
Every church leader needs to read this book.
Rev. Dr.
Written by Kris Sledge and Rachel Gilmore, Followers Under 40 is a book that addresses the critical relationship between the church and young adults today. The authors, who are Millennial pastors, aim to examine why many churches today struggle to effectively engage with young adults while offering constructive approaches to bridge this gap.
Followers Under 40 includes three 1 provides detailed profiles of three Millennials (born 1980-1996), Generation Z (born 1997-2012), and Generation Alpha (born 2012-2027). This helps readers understand the unique characteristics and experiences that shape each generation's worldview.Section 2 explores these generations' common concerns and problems with the church, examining each generation's specific challenges.Section 3 presents five practical approaches to address these issues.Throughout the book, the authors maintain a balanced perspective, affirming their belief in the church as one of God's primary instruments for bringing about positive change in the world while acknowledging how the church has caused harm and failed in this work. Their goal is to inspire church leaders to critically examine their practices and create more inclusive, diverse, and life-giving spaces where younger generations can experience true belonging, community, and connection with God.
Every leader, both lay and clergy, in every local church should read Followers Under 40.What Readers Are Saying About Followers Under 40:
I commend this book to everyone who genuinely seeks to be in authentic relationship with young people in their communities of faith.
Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut, Desert Southwest Conference & New Mexico Conference of The United Methodist Church
In a landscape where many are leaving the church, Kris and Rachel remind us of the profound potential for transformation that lies within. Followers Under 40 is a must-read for anyone passionate about revitalizing the church and ensuring it remains a vital instrument for good, healing, and justice in the world.
Michael Adam Beck, Author, Never Sharing the Gift of Community in a Lonely World
This is not a book that wallows in despair at what once was! Together, they provide insights into emerging generations and practical ways churches can revise ministries to provide pathways for intergenerational communities where faith intersects with life in transforming ways.
Bishop Karen Oliveto, Retired Bishop of The United Methodist Church
Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop.
Kenda Creasy Dean, Author, Almost What the Faith of Our Teenagers Is Telling the American Church
Followers Under 40 by Rachel Gilmore and Kris Sledge is a pastoral gift for the church at this critical moment.
Rev. Dr. Drew Hart, Author, Who Will Be A Witness?: Igniting Activism for God’s Justice, Love, and Deliverance
Every church leader needs to read this book.
Rev. Dr.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 9, 2025
9 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 25, 2025
Rachel Gilmore and Kris Sledge are millennial United Methodist pastors-church planters with experience and burgeoning congregations saturated with followers under 40. Beginning with a realistic snapshot of most churches with dwindling numbers of young adults, Gilmore and Sledge describe in detail each generation under 40, and the perspective each group spiritually seeks: belonging, the care for ALL people, a safe place to listen and share, and a serious, authentic inquisitive relationship with God and others. With practical suggestions gracefully presented by two experienced leaders of the Kindom, get ready to make changes, Church, for followers under 40!
February 5, 2025
The church has a problem. We are aging, clergy are aging, and churches are in decline. So, what do we do? How do we reach younger generations? In Followers Under 40, Rachel Gilmore and Kris Sledge take a closer look at the defining qualities and characteristics of Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha while also exploring why they are leaving the church and what steps any congregation can take to begin reaching young adults today.
One thing I appreciate about this book is that the authors have both been involved in church plants aimed at growing diverse communities that include young adults and young families. Full disclosure, Kris Sledge has been my pastor for the past year and a half, and this has been a time of great personal growth for me.
The sections discussing the experiences and concerns of the younger generations are compelling and thought-provoking. As a Gen Xer myself, I can relate to some of it by recalling my own young adulthood, but there are definitely issues that are different and more complex due to the societal and technological changes that have occurred since then.
Gilmore and Sledge also spend several chapters offering suggestions as to how our churches can connect better with people under 40. They share many great ideas, and I especially like how they give practical examples of how to implement each of them along with anecdotes of how they have used some of these strategies.
This sentence from the closing chapter seems to sum up the call to action:
“We are invited to lead and embody a church that can evolve and adapt to become a place of deep hope, healing, and transformation for the new and emerging generations.”
May that be a challenge we all accept!
One thing I appreciate about this book is that the authors have both been involved in church plants aimed at growing diverse communities that include young adults and young families. Full disclosure, Kris Sledge has been my pastor for the past year and a half, and this has been a time of great personal growth for me.
The sections discussing the experiences and concerns of the younger generations are compelling and thought-provoking. As a Gen Xer myself, I can relate to some of it by recalling my own young adulthood, but there are definitely issues that are different and more complex due to the societal and technological changes that have occurred since then.
Gilmore and Sledge also spend several chapters offering suggestions as to how our churches can connect better with people under 40. They share many great ideas, and I especially like how they give practical examples of how to implement each of them along with anecdotes of how they have used some of these strategies.
This sentence from the closing chapter seems to sum up the call to action:
“We are invited to lead and embody a church that can evolve and adapt to become a place of deep hope, healing, and transformation for the new and emerging generations.”
May that be a challenge we all accept!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews