CNN has a new article up about the changes in Focus on the Family since Jim Daly took charge. Daly, born in 1961, is a near-GenXer, depending on whose numbers you use. (I personally use the Fourth Turning methodology, with GenX running from 1965 to 1985–which makes me a very early GenX). There is always some “bleedover” between generations, and a lot of what is written in this article reflects a very Xer-influenced (-tainted?) outlook. FotF is “returning to its roots”, focusing on its core mission of families and marriage: it is not atypical for Xers to move away from culture war issues and toward problem resolution and practicals. (FotF is also, tellingly, relaxing its dress code.) The article also mentions my Twitter-friend Esther Fleece, who is a good person to follow.
For those who aren’t clear about what this has to do with missions, let me illustrate one point: I lived in Southeast Asia for four years, along with my family. More than once a month we went to the local Cold Storage to pick up groceries. There, on the radio, we frequently heard James Dobson with a “Focus on the Family” minute, sharing about families and marriage principles. FotF has influence outside the typical Western/American radio.
But this transition toward GenXers is broader than just FotF, too. It will eventually affect every NGO–if only because Boomers will one day die and a new generation will take charge. (Morbid, I know, but reality.) As churches, mission agencies, and other institutions start migrating toward a younger leadership set, I think we can expect to see these kinds of changes predominate. Looking back over generations it is not common for “Xer” type Generations to have a marked upper level leadership presence–few Nomads for example ever claim the Presidency. The reason is that this generation, like the Artist generation (=Silents, and the young “Rainbows” that I’ve talked about) tends to be stuck between two “large” generations – the Prophet and the Hero. Nevertheless those on the fringes of the generation will echo its leadership traits, and certainly Xers will predominate in middle management.
For a generational view of missions and the future, see http://www.justinlong.org/2011/04/friday-futures-the-generational-future-of-missions-2010-2120/.
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