Speaking Across Generations: Messages That Satisfy Boomers, Xers, Millennials, Gen Z, and Beyond

by Darrell E. Hall

Different generations communicate differently. If you are speaking across generations, you need to understand how different generations hear. Pastor Darrell Hall (a millennial) harnesses the insights of generational science to explore how generations are distinct people groups with their own cultures and languages. With fresh research from the Barna Group on how generations communicate, Hall sheds light on how each generation receives verbal messages, from boomers and Xers to millennials and Gen Z and those not yet named. Discover how generational science can equip you to communicate effectively. Bridge the communication gap between speaker and listener so people of all generations can hear clearly.

166 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 12, 2022

Reviews

[Bailey Riegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opened my eyes to how your generation impacts your view of almost everything- including the church! Helped me see the importance of inter-generational churches and sharing the gospel in the most effective way for each generation.

[Jed Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent thoughts on effective contextual preaching alone, but the generational analysis makes it unique. Of course there are generalizations and his own millennial filter strongly impacts his views, but these are critical questions not enough church leaders are considering. Very helpful.

[Jason Walters · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't what I was hoping for or expected. I picked up the book as recommended by a blog post for pastors. While there were some good charts and insights, the chapters became monotonous.

There were some very broad generalizations made. Also, at times this book became political based on race and gender. I appreciate the information on the different generations but you could've condensed this book by half and not missed anything.

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speaking Across Generations: Messages That Satisfy Boomers, Xers, Millennials, Gen Z, and Beyond by Darrell E. Hall was the book I needed at this time in my career and personal parenting journey. First, as a professional that works with a vast array of generations, but mostly millennials, it is important for me to understand how to communicate with them in a way that not only adds value to the project but also ensures the value that they bring through their voice and contributions is realized. Second, this book helped me to understand as a parent, why there is such a disconnect between myself and my children that are millennial and/or Generation Z and how I do not necessarily need to agree with how they come to their decisions, I do need to understand – because guess what? My Gen X logic will not change them. Another add for me was how to relate to my Boomer parents and help them with the disconnect they experience with their Millennial and Gen Z grandchildren, to whom I say, “You need to read this book!”. For me, there were several “a-ha” moments that made me stop, shake my head, and wonder if Hall was writing this book just for me.

Darrell E. Hall is a preacher and pastor, so he comes from that lens when writing this book. It is evident that this book is helpful to the spiritual community as we try to figure out what certain people groups need to stay engaged and connected to their spirituality and from their places of worship. However, not being a preacher or pastor, I saw this book as a communication tool for anyone that needs to know how to win the people group that they are communicating with. By winning, they build the trust that is necessary to see the desired end goal, whatever that may be. Winning can also mean knowing what special gifts and mindsets will be added through the contributions only certain people groups can bring and ensure the future success of the project. This book is filled with data and research that supports the text and helps the reader see, in an illustrated form, how much the world is changing and help readers determine how they can adapt to be more inclusive.

Speaking Across Generations will stay on my desk as I will continue to reference one of the points highlighted throughout the book (yes, I write in my books). I see it supporting me as I lead project teams, parent my adult children, and maintain relationships with family and community members of all generations.

[Ryan Linkous · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most helpful part of this book was Hall's chapter 9, "The Family of God" where he paints of portrait of what an intergenerational Christian community of faith ought to look like. The distinction between an "intergenerational" congregation and a "multigenerational" congregation is important and one which congregations ought to think through. Also, conceiving as different generations as speaking different languages with different vocabularies is one of the most helpful, communicable ideas about intergenerational communication. Often, younger people including Christians, care about a multicultural church or faith experience. Yet different cultures can be found about a decade and a half north or south of you too. Both ethnic and generational cultures are valuable.

I felt that Hall's weakness was in describing the generations qualitatively. It seemed like data and adjectives were presented, but with less time to reflect upon. If you're pressed for time, that can be helpful. However, I find the data and qualitative descriptions in Elizabeth Nesbit-Sbnatto and Craig Blomberg's book "Effective Generational Ministry" much more comprehensive. There is more meat on the portraits in that book (although it primarily addresses Millennials-Gen X-Boomers, without describing Gen Z or the Elders).

[Josue Portillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was alright. It accomplished what it set out to do and it was certainly better than other preaching books I’ve read. I especially appreciated Hall’s inter-generational approach, not simply in preaching but in every sphere of the church. Hall provides timely and helpful examples of different message that cater to particular generations. It reminded of the importance of not just speaking across ethnic lines but across generational lines as well.

One of the insights I gained from Hall is that we should view different generational periods and the people within those time frames as “people groups.” This expanded my understanding of “people groups” and broadened my perception of culture.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great insight on how generations best function and receive information, specifically in the context of local church preaching. Definitely applicable.

This book could’ve been 20 pages. I lost count of how many times I read the same sentence.

I don’t agree with a lot of this guy’s theology but he gets the main things right.

[Annie Riggins · Rating 3 out of 5]

A generally helpful primer on generational traits within a church, and an encouragement to incorporate understanding among them. But it was mostly about preaching, rather than communications (not a knock, just unexpected) — and was a bland presentation which lacked authority.

[Lynnea Humrichous]

Pretty good! Read for class too & appreciated the different approaches when thinking about a multigenerational church. It is true that there are MANY differences that impact each generation for cultural context to more. You probably could Google everything he wrote.

[Kristel Acevedo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theologically rooted & very practical!

[Geoffrey Loften · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and practical. An encouraging and easy read!

[John Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good overview of intergenerational ministry...

Hall lays out some data-driven compelling ideas around how to best communicate to intergenerational congregants. This is a good read for any pastor who serves in an intergenerational church or has a desire to communicate better intergenerationally. I would have liked a few more practical tips (since much of the book is generational data), but it’s a good starting point for sure.