Characteristics of the Generations

Note that any individual may be quite different from the typical member of their generation, but that most in a generation will be at least partly touched by their generation's characteristics.

Birth Years Generation Name(s) Number Their "Slogan" Comments

up thru 1926 GI,
Builders
36 million "We will prevail" they set up today's society
& church
loyalty, duty important
conformist
beginning significantly to die off

1927-45 Silent Generation,
(later) Builders
28 million "I will cope." generous
hard to lead - they can't decide clearly
conformist
parents were affected by the depression

1946-64 Baby Boom,

Boomers
74 million "I will be satisfied."

"The ME generation."
idealistic in '60s, became $-oriented in 70s
impatient
first divorce generation -- view marriage as a contract for an exchange of goods and services
some are starting to come back to church as they start to feel/see their mortality
now gaining control of the Church

1965-76 Gen X
Baby Bust
43 million "We will be authentic & in relationship with someone." predominantly single, but may be coupled
they are very serious parents
some are violent
click here for more

1977-94 Bridgers
Gen Y
Echo Boom
72 million "It's a hard world." children of divorce
integrated into the Internet
grew up with 50+ TV channels
fully unchurched
amoral - have no values
education-oriented
click here for more

1995- Millennials To Be Determined To Be Determined To be Determined

Believers by Generation (all denominations)

In a 1998 survey of 6000 people, with 1300-1500 people in each of the generational categories listed below, the following percentages of each generation identified themselves as Christian.

GI and Silent generations - born before 1926, and 1927-45, respectively - 65% Christian

Baby Boom - born 1946-64 - 35% Christian

Gen X (baby bust) - born 1965-76 - 15% Christian

Older Bridgers (age 17+) - born 1976-81 - 4% Christian

The same survey showed that 83% of those who become Christians do so before age 20.

Thus it is critical to get a focus on reaching the Bridger generation.

For a table of congregation members' characteristics sorted by their kind of need ("Maslow meets Jesus"), click here.

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This page last updated 3/6/00.