Some types, like “The Church Lady” are legendary. But other ways we interact together are just as common.  The thing about church types is that, while they are stereotypes, they also give a snap-shot of the kind of community a church is. Too many of one type is going to lean a church in a particular direction. So, while being a rather thin way of characterizing people, considering this helps us understand how we are creating a 'church personality' together. Read the list below and see if you find yourself:

The class conscious – makes sure their affluence and good manners are observed and known 
The connector – makes sure the newcomers get introduced, the casserole ministry is activated, the funeral is attended
The committed young adult – values being at church regardless of generational trends
The doer – always doing the work, sometimes with grievance that others aren’t helping
The energizer - involved in current activities and ready for the next idea
The exhausted  – need I say more?
The Jesus lover –genuinely wants to grow in faith and displays that commitment
The judge – keeps track of the mistakes and foibles of the church, evaluating performance
The justice advocate – committed to mission and inclusion and facilitating that in the church
The lifer – parents and even grandparents went to this church
The lost soul – often alone or disconnected but missed when they are not there
The marginal teen – doesn’t speak, make eye contact, quietly disappears
The nurturer – invested in the care of others more than self 
The obliging teen – willing to help when asked, otherwise not well known
The specialist – knows how its done and makes sure others know
The speaker – willing to tell truth about personal faith, or about conflicts and concerns in the church system
  Nobody is actually as simple as this. But we can make the mistake of thinking they are. All 'sorts and conditions' of people are a part of our community.  The goal is not to exclude anyone, but rather to focus on becoming more whole as a vibrant and faithful community.  I see St. Paul's as a place where the majority are Jesus lovers, connectors and speakers.  Folks who put the life of faith and the well-being of others ahead of self are the leaven that cause community to grow and rise.  

“THE EARLIEST OF THE FOUR GOSPELS makes no reference to the virgin birth, and neither does Paul, who wrote earlier still. On later evidence, however, many Christians have made it an article of faith that it was the Holy Spirit rather than Joseph who got Mary pregnant. If you believe God was somehow in Christ, it shouldn't make much difference to you how he got there. If you don't believe, it should make less difference still. In either case, life is complicated enough without confusing theology and gynecology.

In one sense anyway, the doctrine of the virgin birth is demonstrably true. Whereas the villains of history can always be seen as the products of heredity and environment, the saints always seem to arrive under their own steam. Evil evolves. Holiness happens.”

--- Frederick Buechner -Originally published in Wishful Thinking and later in Beyond Words
 
This Advent, may we stand against evil, and let holiness happen.

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There’s an amazing thing happening in the church. For the first time perhaps in the history of the world, five generations of people are gathering for spiritual meaning.  Now, every generation might not be represented in every church,  but, at least now, it’s regularly possible for there to that kind of range of age groups.  The great-grandparents, to the babies…that’s a big stretch!
     This kind of breadth of age-groups inevitably leads to different needs, capacities, hopes and understandings of God.  Everyone has a particular way of being in the world. We must always be cautious when offering generalities to not reduce people to stereotypes.  However, sometimes they are helpful.  I'm hoping that as our churches reflect on the generalities of each group, we'll be better able to identify the specifics for our settings.  We'll be better able to love and serve each other if we are aware of these generational differences.
     Each of our five generations have been assigned names. The Traditionalists are those born before 1945*, Baby Boomers (1946 – 64), Generation X (1965 – 1980), Millennials (1981 -2001), Homeland (2001 – present).  These are the names that have been assigned to those born in these historical, cultural periods. The characteristics are also very general. Factors such as ethnicity, immigrant experience, and economic status are not taken into account and markedly affect the categories provided.    *consider these dates a guide not an absolute
     The Traditionalists and the Baby Boomers are both in their second adulthood. That is to say,  they are living in retirement. However, those on the older end are tasked with coping with loss of health and relationships.  Much of life lays behind them, and legacy is very important. This explains why 70% of all giving to the church comes from these two generations.  For the church, this is the time to honor the tremendous generosity and financial support these members have provided. Churches serve the Traditionalists best by 1. providing consistent pastoral care, 2. cultivating ways of honoring and receiving the wisdom of these members. 
     For Baby Boomers and those who are still actively in their retirement years, the task is to find new meaning in their life after work.  Retirement now has the potential to stretch on for decades. The task for the church is to 1. offer meaningful on-ramps to service, 2. facilitate inter-generational connections, 3. provide opportunities for discernment.
     The Gen-Xers are adulting. They are working to attain their life-goals while also managing care for parents and children. Their task is to find small ways to serve that have big payoffs for their sense of connection and well-being.  Leadership and the ability to convey perspective are important contributions they make. The church can serve them through 1. providing opportunities for simple, stream-lined leadership, creating episodic social and play times, and 3. offering on-going spiritual formation groups.
     Millennials are the first generation to experience the full extent of emerging adulthood. The instability of vocation, location, and relationships gives them tremendous tasks for forming and fulfilling their life-goals.  They are served by a church that 1. creates connections to older adults who can advise and support, 2. offers meaningful opportunities for service and 3. provides vision-casting in ways that help shape their formation.

     Here are a few of the ideas from Steve Lawless that could strengthen your community:
1.       Invite older, long-term members to attend newcomer’s classes. This would provide an opportunity to honor their legacy and create relationships across generations.
2.       Include personal stories in worship. Most members don’t get to know each other that well. Stories allow for a deeper dive, create intimacy and connection and appeal especially to millenials and Gen-x ers for whom personal experience is a root for truth telling.
3.       Build connections through mentoring and “grandparenting” – creating an established structure for relationship and resourcing will strengthen the community and widen its appeal.
     We are at an amazing time in the world. Yes, the times feel treacherous, but they are also full of potential. Our faith in God and our commitment to one another across generations provide us deep roots and wide wings for hope.

    In July, a survey was sent to the congregation asking for input on how pleased or displeased folks are with changes since I became Rector. Only eleven people responded to the survey, so the responses are not representative of the majority of the congregation. However, here are the responses from those who gave input:

• The highest level of pleasure expressed was placed on the Renovations of the Building and the Quality and Content of the Preaching. Next in line were Leadership and Participation of members, and Quality and Variety of Music.
• There were no areas of collective displeasure. However, individuals expressed concern about the Children's Ministry and Pastoral Care.

    A noteworthy comment was made about a concern that we would change the sanctuary.  There are some changes that we may make to the chancel area, but they will be done in consultation with the congregation and will not necessarily be permanent. I, your vestry, and the community are committed to seeing our beautiful sanctuary remain a lovely reflection of 19th century aesthetic.
   It is my intention to send out a survey twice a year: in July and in February. Thank you to all who participated in the first survey!   Thanks be to God, we are not in a "Family Feud" even though we know what the "Survey Says..."

                                                                 -- Pastor Rebecca




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