Bats in the Belfry

What to do with noisy baby boomers.

Since my last blog Elephants in the Sanctuary I have had more opportunity to think about and have conversations with people about what to do with baby boomers in the church. Many of these baby boomers - who are part of vibrant contemporary churches, feel that they have somehow come to the end of their usefulness and feel -that in the great move of God that these churches are seeing, that they are somehow being left behind.

Here are some facts that I have found:

·         Nearly all the mega church senior leaders around the world are in fact baby boomers, that is those born between 1946 and 1966. C3, Hillsong, Willow Creek, Saddleback to name but a few.

·         All these churches have vibrant youth programmes and use contemporary music to attract  youth.

·         Reaching the next generation is always important.

·         Those that are the most consistent in having intergenerational ministries, such as Willow Creek church for example have seen steady, steadfast and long lasting growth, through all the age spectrum, not just over years but over decades.

·         Those mega churches that have neglected the baby boomer generation have seen their financial position decline by as much as 28% over a decade.

·         40% of leaders in mega churches are baby boomers.( the next level down from senior leader)

·         Baby boomers are 78% more likely to be the counsellors , pastors and administrators in mega churches than younger generations

·         61% of baby boomers are not afraid of a challenge and learning new things.

What does these facts and statistics tell me? What does all this have to do with bats in the belfry?

From reading the above I see that a great many baby boomers are still actively involved in churches that are growing and are relevant contemporary and vibrant. I also see that baby boomers are not silent nor willing to sit back and do nothing, the freedoms that they are now experiencing- such as children leaving home, release them not step back but to get more involved in church life and service. Many of them see that their life experience has taught them to be resourceful and creative and they make sure that the leadership of the church know about it. I am not talking about letter stuffing or serving tea nor being referred to as veterans, but active in teaching ministries, pastoral work and counselling, mentoring and encouraging young men and women to be all they can be in Christ. Senior church leaders that neglect to listen and act by using baby boomers do so at their own risk.

When we have bats in belfries they are usually there to stay and they are not silent as would be expected. Their presence is always noticeable. My advice to baby boomers who feel they are not being used and noticed is to make a noise show the senior leaders what you can do. My advice to senior leaders is listen to the baby boomers and use them in significant positions of leadership not just as window dressing. If you are in this for the long term future then the next generation that comes after the baby boomers will be your bats in your belfry.