Bridging Divided Worlds: Generational Cultures in Congregations [Hardcover]

Jackson W. Carroll (Author), Wade Clark Roof (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0787949906 | ISBN-13: 978-0787949907 | Edition: 1

Bridging Divided Worlds by Jackson W. Carroll and Wade Clark Roof-- two experts in the field of contemporary religion-- presents a comprehensive study of generational dynamics within congregations. Their groundbreaking work analyzes the crucial role the generations play in reshaping the American religious landscape. Throughout the book the authors examine current religious and spiritual trends and reveal how these changes can offer opportunities for enriching a congregation's faith and spiritual life.

Bridging Divided Worlds offers an insightful analysis of how congregations have historically adapted to change and reveals how various contemporary groups of congregants have dealt with change in recent years. For example, the authors profile three types of congregations: inherited congregations (practices are guided by the past); blended congregations (practices honor inherited tradition and are attentive to generational diversity); and generation-specific congregations (practices are tailored to the needs of a particular generation). With these profiles the authors provide commentary on the strengths and weaknesses of each. In addition to its wealth of information and commentary, this indispensable resource shows how congregations are discovering ways to bridge the gaps and connect the different worlds the generations inhabit to create stronger, richer, and more vibrant religious communities.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ecumenically sensitive . . . here is a study that all pastoral ministers need on their reading list today. . . . By looking closely at significant historical events, sociological data, and anecdotes, the authors help us understand how we have come to the present generational diversity that is affecting our congregations today."
— Rev. Robert J. Silva, president, National Federation of Priests' Councils

"This is the first book to address the important intersection between congregational structure and generational conflict. Jackson W. Carroll and Wade Clark Roof provide insights that should guide the strategic planning of every church, temple, and synagogue in America."
— Donald E. Miller, professor of religion and executive director, the Center for Religion and Civic Culture, University of Southern California, and author, Reinventing American Protestantism: Christianity in the New Millennium

"A collaborative book by two of the nation's most distinguished scholars of religion. Through a cleverly designed combination of personal interviews, case studies, and survey data, Carroll and Roof show us the huge impact of generational differences on the ministries of local churches."
— Robert Wuthnow, author, After Heaven: Spirituality in America Since the 1950s

From the Publisher

"Ecumenically sensitive . . . here is a study that all pastoral ministers need on their reading list today. . . . By looking closely at significant historical events, sociological data, and anecdotes, the authors help us understand how we have come to the present generational diversity that is affecting our congregations today."
— Rev. Robert J. Silva, president, National Federation of Priests' Councils

"This is the first book to address the important intersection between congregational structure and generational conflict. Jackson W. Carroll and Wade Clark Roof provide insights that should guide the strategic planning of every church, temple, and synagogue in America."
— Donald E. Miller, professor of religion and executive director, the Center for Religion and Civic Culture, University of Southern California, and author, Reinventing American Protestantism: Christianity in the New Millennium

"A collaborative book by two of the nation's most distinguished scholars of religion. Through a cleverly designed combination of personal interviews, case studies, and survey data, Carroll and Roof show us the huge impact of generational differences on the ministries of local churches."
— Robert Wuthnow, author, After Heaven: Spirituality in America Since the 1950s

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (February 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787949906
• ISBN-13: 978-0787949907
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,611,795 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Groundbreaking objective research--every pastor must read, April 10, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Bridging Divided Worlds: Generational Cultures in Congregations (Hardcover)

I've read several books in the past couple of years about bridging the gap between the different generations, and I have to say that this one is the most useful. It's written from an objective point of view, and so gives powerful "snapshots" of different types of congregations and how they are dealing with the generation gaps---some successfully, some not.

Instead of reading about someone else's cookie-cutter "fix-it program," I got a lot of ideas and insights that might work in my own congregation. I highly recommend this book.

3.0 out of 5 stars Navigating intergenerational diversity in churches, March 28, 2010

By 

Darren Cronshaw (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bridging Divided Worlds: Generational Cultures in Congregations (Hardcover)

Jackson W. Carroll and Wade Clark Roof, Bridging Divided Worlds: Generational Cultures in Congregations

(San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2003)

Reviewed by Darren Cronshaw

Bridging Divided Worlds grabbed my attention because one of the strengths of the church I was pastoring then I read it was its intergenerational diversity. Though we were not a large church and didn't have large groups of any one generation, there were no generational groups clearly absent. There were children who reminded us not to take life too seriously, a few youth who reminded us church needs to adapt to radically changing times, young adults with their eagerness to make a difference, adults working at raising families, building careers or struggling through life, and retirees with their wisdom, experience and loyalty. We brought a richness and diversity to one another, but there was also a tenuous diversity in approaches to faith, expectations about leadership and worship style preferences that can make for conflict.

Carroll and Roof give a basic introduction to generational groupings. They suggest generations carry particular ways of seeing the world - the lens through which its members see the world and act on it.. Major events during adolescent and early adult years shape a generation's outlook in subtle and enduring ways. The pre-boomers born prior to 1946 experienced the depression and so are sensitive to the perils of a precarious economy and concerned about unnecessary wastage. They saw and were bound together by the challenges of World War II. The boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) grew up experiencing the optimism of progress after World War II, the new-found freedom of the 1960s, and the disruption of the Vietnam War. For the next generation (Gen-X), surely one formative event is the September 11 tragedy which added feelings of unease to an already insecure generation. However, Carroll and Roof's treatment of generational differences was neither too precise nor profound.

Where their contribution was distinctive was in exploring how different generations relate in different congregations. It is not a book that comprehensively describes generational differences and how to focus church ministries to connect with particular generations. It is a congregational studies project that examines how different congregations deal with generational differences. Based on interviews, a large-scale survey, and case studies of a variety of congregations, they suggest three models of intergenerational relationships, each with their strengths and weaknesses:

* Inherited congregations (in which practices are guided by the past)

* Blended congregations (where practices honor inherited tradition but are also seeking to be attentive to generational diversity)

* Generation specific congregations (which are tailored to the needs of a particular generation).

The generational trends in congregations that the book describes helped me to understand, at the risk of generalizing, part of the reasons why in our church:

* young adults looked forward to discussing gospel themes in movies, while some older people wondered why we can't just start and stick with the Bible.

* some pre-boomers were happy to go home without morning tea, and some boomers came only for coffee after the coffee!

* the majority of Gen-Xers and many boomers were more interested in justice, compassion and inclusiveness than doctrine and denominational distinctives.

* one pre-boomer man had been putting envelopes in pigeon holes for two decades, while a new worship team leader (a Gen Xer) felt like it was someone else's job after 6 months in the role.

* young adults loved lots of instruments and sound gear on the platform, while pre-boomers were vocal about wanting the platform to be neat and tidy and clear of sound cords.

* many pre-boomers liked to know there would be a clear and predictable order and structure in services, while Gen Xers and some boomers liked spontaneity.

The 21st Century will pose more challenges for generational differences. With people living longer, three to four living generations are now having to learn to live together. The elder generations are becoming larger and more powerful than they were in the past, and the younger generations are changing quicker. Society's institutions need to learn to manage this multigenerational melting pot. Churches that grapple with the issues that Bridging Divided Worlds raises will be well-placed to celebrate rather than bemoan generational differences, and model what society needs - caring, sharing, and mentoring across all age groups.

Darren Cronshaw is a Baptist pastor who enjoys good books, great movies, long walks and quality Asian food. This review originally appeared Zadok Perspectives, No. 89 (Summer, 2005), p.27.