This revised study guide helps the reader of "Where have all the Young People Gone" dig more deeply and, if desired, share in an eight session discussion group. It also provides for a disciplined and documented planning process for persons preparing to welcome young people into their congregation. The first three sessions deal with the changes in family and community after World War 2 that opened the door to rapid social change. The chaos and college riots of the 1960s and 70s are evidence that the World War 2 generation and their "Boomer" children were diverging in world-view, lifestyle, and values. Then on to Generations X and Y who are still more different and tend to be deeply alienated from traditional Christianity. The next three sections focus on one-on-one response to alienation within family, community, and congregation: getting back in touch with the Gospel and how our faith has been shaped, learing to tell our story of our personal walk with our Lord, and learning to share that story with an alienated person. The last three sections presents an over-view of what may be required for effective outreach to new people in general and to the younger generations in specific. For readers who have been asked to draw up a plan for outreach for their congregation, various instruments are provided to turn their reading into a data-driven assessment of the strengths and weakness of their congregation for change and growth. This includes understanding how their ways of "doing church" may be seen as cultural barriers by Generation X and Y. Change is difficult for many people to take and should not be done without careful thought, planning, buy-in by the people, and prayer. We're called to live the Gospel toward the alienated person and to "take up our cross" by accepting changes in packaging that we have come to love but which are barriers to the alienated who come from a different culture. This is always the task of the missionary. Old dogs can learn new tricks when it's all for the glory of God.
About the Author: The author lived through the social chaos of the 1960s and 1970s as "an interesting learning experience." He entered this period as a college chaplain and faculty member in a church-related college where he taught a senior honors course in science, social change and the impacts on the church. He then began doctoral studies in cognitive psychology in a major state university and also was the pastor of an experimental ministry in a nearby Episcopal church. The experiment addressed the issue of "passive laity, active clergy." The clergy team was three who held full time secular commitments and served without pay. They agreed to conduct services while training lay-persons to do the bulk of the ministry within the congregation. A majority liked this and cited high morale and commitment. A minority rejected the team ministry and cited the loss of personal relationship with the clergy. Deeper polarization emerged as riots began at the nearby university and as the Episcopal Church began to revise the Book of Common Prayer. A significant minority agreed that "In a changing world, the church ought to be a place of quiet and unchanging stability." The supporters of the team ministry generally favored changes, agreed that the church should operate "with a minimum of property and a maximum of emphasis on being a community," and maintained a "support group" for persons in difficulties. These experiences encouraged your author to do additional work in studies of conflict and conflict resolution and to go back to seminary for a Masters in Biblical Theology. Three insights came out of the 1970s that remain true today: (1) Changes in family life and community had given rise to a generation of children with different beliefs and values than their parents, (2) the younger generation are questioning the traditional church and traditional Christians, and (3) change must be carefully introduced and managed lest it disrupt the Christian community. Since 1973, your author has worked as a lead scientist and senior systems analyst in energy and environment. He has continued to serve with congregations in crisis, as well as congregations that are coming alive with enthusiasm and hope for the future. The book, "Where have all the Young People Gone" and "The Study Guide" reflect "lessons learned."