One Church, Four Generations: Understanding and Reaching All Ages in Your Church

by Gary L. McIntosh

The challenge facing today's church is simultaneous and effective ministry to people of four widely divergent generations. More than at any time in history, pastors must plan programs that will appeal to a mosaic of groups and subgroups. This updated edition of Three Riding the Waves of Change in Your Church adds an entirely new section on Bridgers, the youngest generation and perhaps the most difficult one to reach for Christ.
Characteristics, interests, and values of each group--Builders, Boomers, Busters, and Bridgers--are explored in relation to the historical events and social trends that have shaped them. McIntosh thoughtfully analyzes the factors that influence each generation's relationship to the church, and he gives helpful suggestions for types of ministry and worship styles to draw members of that group.
Helpful tables offer summaries of information relating to each generation, including formative experiences, religious characteristics, and methods of ministry. Pastors, church leaders, seminary professors, and students will find One Church, Four Generations a valuable resource in mapping out strategies for relevant church programming in the twenty-first century.

Genres: Leadership, Nonfiction, Church

248 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2002

Reviews

[Douglas Fyfe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only skim read this book, which was a good overview of four generations. Unfortunately books like these date very quickly. Published in 2002, everything is so different. Builders are no more, and social media has brought about such a different world, which flies in the face of the preliminary comments made about the Bridgers. Books like these almost need to be digital only, and kept constantly up to date. A new analysis for today's world would indeed be useful.

[John Dube · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. A helpful overview on the different generations in the church. Definitely dated; written in 2002. The book is very observational, that is, he doesn’t offer a lot of solutions. What he does support is a blended model that addresses the various generations. While the author does use Scripture in places, I would like to see a stronger biblical rationale for addressing ministry through generational characteristics. A good resource for those in pastoral ministry.

[Scooter Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insights on intergenerational Ministry

I really enjoyed this book and the ideas presented concerning intergenerational ministry. It validated some of the ideas I had been contemplating. Although it doesn’t speak to GEN Z, it offers timeless truths which can be applied to all situations.

[Jane Baldwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable and comprehensive. However, it is quite dated as the same number of years have elapsed since its publication as in a typical generation. I would love to find something similar, but updated for today’s adults.

[Al Soto · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The church is in the greatest convergence of generations ever in the history of our country. How does one navigate through the challenges of the various perspectives and mindsets of the various generations and at the same time be unified. An excellent book that will asset you in understanding the cultural distictives and understanding that Builder, Boomers, Busters, and Bridger's bring to the table."

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book summarizes the character traits of Builders, Boomers, Busters, and Bridgers. It's a good introduction to the concept of inter-generational ministry and provides useful summaries throughout. A book that I will refer to again.

[David Lasley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Broad (slightly outdated) overview of four generations of our lifetime. Especially insightful for me in gaining a better understanding of the elderly among us and why they are the way that they are. Didn't seem earth shattering to me, but wasn't a waste of time, either.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every leader in the church should read this book with an open mind. You may not agree with everything, but there is so much helpful information here!

[Daryl Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Lots of great data and information about ministering to different generations but like all books of this type, it is very quickly becoming outdated.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great. Well worth a second read.