ALL IS NOT AS QUIET AS IT SEEMS…..
For the past decade, professionals in the field of gerontology have referred to the overwhelming demographic bulge populated by Boomers as the “Age Wave.” The illustration impressed upon our minds the image of a huge, powerful and overwhelming event, much like a giant wave or even a tsunami. It would hit the shores of our society, culture and church, changing life forever.
Many church leaders (including us) became sociological prophets. We studied and applied the research of Dr. Ken Dychtwald, author of The Age Wave, and Dr. Charles Arn, author of Catch the Age Wave. We warned of the need to prepare for the coming age boom and stressed that new infrastructures had to be put in place to minister in and through this vast group of individuals. We challenged churches to think strategically and creatively.
While it cannot be denied that 78,000 Boomers (those born between the years 1946 and 1964) are indeed catapulting their way through the life stages, the earth-shattering power of their arrival isn’t being experienced. In fact, it’s a little quiet out there. The Age Wave seems to be more like a high-surf than a cataclysmic event. And, frankly, many are a bit fatigued with the age wave warnings and are no longer taking them very seriously.
We think there may be a better analogy. We are beginning to see the whole aging demographic to be comparable to a hurricane more than a wave. And, surprisingly, we are actually in the eye of the storm!
If you have experienced a hurricane, you know the storms typically have a first eye-wall, then the eye of the storm, followed by a second eye-wall or series of concentric eye-wall cycles. The church has experienced the first eye-wall of the hurricane. For forty years, beginning in the 60’s and edging up to the new millennium, we’ve witnessed the development of “Senior Adult Ministries.” Churches segregated this life stage into Bereanand Hilltopper classes, sent folks on bus trips and sponsored potlucks. Denominations created national programs (including our own BGC Gold) to help support churches in program development. The winds of ministry were strong.
But as we entered the 21st century we noticed two things happening: One, these existing senior adult groups began dying out – literally. Saints were going home, and those left behind began asking, “How can we get the next generation to get involved in our group?” At the same time, that next group of “up and coming seniors” was running as hard and as fast away from becoming a part of the seniors group as one could imagine. No way were Boomers going into the same group where, potentially, their parents still fellowshipped. In fact, Boomers don’t seem to want to be segregated into a group at all!
Being in the eye of the storm can be deceptive. The NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association) offers this description of the eye: “The hurricane’s center is a relatively calm, clear area. People in the midst of a hurricane are often amazed at how the incredibly fierce winds and rain can suddenly stop and the sky clear when the eye comes over them. Then, just as quickly, the winds and rain begin again, but this time from the opposite direction.”
Friends in Florida told us that it’s not unusual for people to want to leave their shelters during this time, thinking that it’s all over and it’s safe to go back out. That’s what we see leaders doing today. Surely, it’s so quiet – the old seniors groups are self-sustaining, Boomers are not joining in, so what’s the fuss? Why have church staff designated for this age group? Why keep denominational programs?
We believe we are in the lull, truly the calm before the storm. Just because it’s quiet and the skies are blue, remember the “eye” signals to us to be ready. Things are changing! In an actual hurricane, this is when the winds are chaotic and are blowing in every direction. It’s when one eye-wall absorbs the energy of the first one and becomes even stronger and more powerful.
So, how do we prepare for the full-force of the hurricane? We begin by not trying to conform the second eye-wall to the standards and expectations of the first. Then we do all we can to help the individuals in that second wall become equipped to hit the ground with a force that makes a constructive difference in the world, not a destructive one. We unleash the power of age by developing programs that help this generation find their God-given purpose, direction, mission and personal calling.
And then we watch a generation make impact.
