Carl G. Eeman, Generations of Faith: A Congregational Atlas. Alban Institute, 2002.
Note: This listing is part of the site archive. While these materials may have some enduring value, it is strongly suggested that you use the reference link below for possible updates or click through to Amazon and allow their settings to suggest more current resources.
Referenced in: Generational Issues in Churches
See also: Church Conflict – Guides to Communication and Healthy Behavior
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
This is a brief, well-written summary and application of the extensive research by William Strauss and Neil Howe (who wrote the foreword) on generation theory, four generation cycles, and how generations experience birth, emergence, contribution, and graying. Eeman gives perspective on how current cultural conditions have accentuated the generational clashes that have existed in all periods of history. This is a very usable distillation of the extensive field of generation theory as it relates to congregational life.
From the Publisher
In 1991 a pair of Ivy League-educated Californians, William Strauss and Neil Howe, published a landmark book, Generations: The History of America’s Future from 1584 to 2069. In Generations and subsequent books, they develop a theory that generational cycles repeat through American history at about 90- to 95-year intervals.
In this book, Carl Eeman accepts the invitation of Strauss and Howe in Generations: “We encourage specialists among our readers, whatever their backgrounds, to shed more light on the component pieces of the generational puzzle” (p. 16). Eeman explores the cycle of four generational types from a faith perspective and applies generational ideas to the practice of ministry and to congregational issues.
This book makes use of the young field of generational theory and provides a valuable tool for understanding between generations. As congregational leaders minister among the people of God, these concepts will help them be more effective leaders, clearer communicators, and more nimble troubleshooters and problem solvers. Foreword by William Strauss and Neil Howe.
About the Author
Carl Eeman draws on 15 years of experience as a Lutheran pastor and half a decade of researching and teaching about the impact of generations on congregational life.He has designed and presented workshops and classes on the subject.
***For additional information on this resource, including reviews, click the bookstore links. Check the reference at page top or the links below for resource guides on related topics.***
Related Areas
See Other Resources on Generational Issues:
See Resource Guides on Over 100 Areas of Ministry Leadership: