The Orphaned Generation: The Father's Heart for Connecting Youth and Young Adults to Your Church

by Scott Wilcher, Levi Bethune (Cover_design), Ann R. Wilcher (Illustrator)

A must-read for those who hope for revitalization of an aging, declining or plateaued church.

The Orphaned Generation will turn the heart of your adult congregation toward young people, especially in small groups or Sunday school classes. Wilcher uses biblical principles to change your perspectives on young people, and your church.

What Church Leaders are saying...

"Revolutionary!"

"A Game Changer!"

"My aging congregation is learning it has exactly what young people hope for!"

"Scott nails it."
Ron Luce, Founder and President of Teen Mania Ministries.

"Absolutely the best book on what the Church should do for youth I have ever read hands down. You put into words years of unprocessed thoughts and feelings.
Pastor Ken Wetmore

"I recommend it strongly to every church leader and every adult in the church."
Richard Ross, PhD, Professor of student/family ministry, Southwestern Seminary, and co-founder of True Love Waits

"This should be required reading for each student ministry leader, who should then share a copy with the senior pastor, who should share a copy with every adult in the congregation."
Roy Smith, Director of Missions (Norfolk Area Baptist Association)

Reach Young People Without Alienating Your Mature Members

Order your copy now.

For more about the author, visit or on facebook (search "The Orphaned Generation by Scott Wilcher")

A discussion guide for use in small groups and Sunday school classes is now available at

Genres: Church

204 pages, Paperback

First published November 29, 2010

Reviews

[Joel Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Orphan Generation” by Scott Wilcher provides a lot of thought for youth ministers and for churches. Its primary benefit is for older congregations who dream of having vital youth programming, but fail to grasp a vision of multi-generational ministry. Too many churches compartmentalize their ministries and therefore separate the unity that Jesus desires for His church. Wilcher seeks to breakdown the compartmentalization and inspire churches toward a comprehensive ministry that seeks to serve all people. In doing so he offers many suggestions regarding ministry and encourages the more mature members of a congregation to step out of their comfort zones and embrace the rich relationships that can exist inter-generationally. This book offers youth ministers an opportunity to discuss ministry with members of the church and challenge everyone to involve themselves in youth ministry. Youth ministers would be wise to challenge the leadership in their churches to read and apply this volume to their church’s ministry.

[Sherri · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like this book and didn't agree with some of the author's points, especially a section where he tries to rewrite the illustration many of us have used to understand that there is a gap that separates us from God and the cross is what creates a bridge to Him. His new idea was a pictorial illustration that didn't work. It's been a while since I read it, so I can't remember the other points I didn't agree with. All I know is that I struggled through it and found myself getting annoyed by it frequently. The only reason why I made myself read it is because a friend gave it to me that is a friend of the author.

[Stephen Smotherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on connecting the younger generation with the older generations... Helps break down some stereotypes and assumptions that older generations make about those "whipper snappers." AND also does the same for the younger generations view of those "Old timers." As it turns out, both generations can greatly learn from and encourage each other. This book helps give practical advise for connecting these "opposite" generations.

[E. Scott Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again a book on the status of the Church in America that could be either depressing or inspiring depending on your attitude and perspective.

I especially enjoyed Wilcher's new pictures for sharing the gospel and his examples of how older "saints" could engage and love on a broken generation in a way that makes the Gospel message and Christ's live real.

[Philip Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good book on how to get your church to integrate older and and not so old generations with the younger generations and be wise guides to them, and why they need and want wise guides.