Just the Facts on The Next America series

We’re beginning a new series on the blog. It’s a read-along of the book The Next America: Boomers, Millennials, and the Looming Generational Showdown by Paul Taylor and the Pew Research Center.

I’m reading this book as a disciple of Jesus Christ and priest in the Episcopal Church who wants to understand the times in which I live. I believe that it’s important that church leaders (and that means all of us) seek facts and include data in our discernment and decision-making. Researching facts and analyzing demographic data aren’t skills I remember either learning in seminary or in my ministry thus far, so I’m making up for lost time here on the blog.

Maybe I missed that seminary class? No, I don’t think I did. The Association of Theological Schools doesn’t require seminaries to offer any instruction in demographic data. The only time demographic data has a chance to elbow its way into the M.Div. Standards is under rubric A.2.3.1. It states that the program will provide “instruction in contemporary cultural and social issues and their significance for diverse linguistic and cultural contexts of ministry. Such instruction should draw on the insights of the arts and humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences.” I had classes that fit this description in seminary; none taught me to go out and find hard facts. But I digress.

The Next America: Boomers, Millennials, and the Looming Generational Showdown has been hailed as an “eye-opening and wonderfully written account of how swiftly our country is changing” (Richard North Patterson) and “a lucid exploration of the social, cultural, economic and demographic trends that are reshaping every corner of our society” (Neil Howe). I believe reading it will help me understand not only the times in which I live but also how to craft a faithful response to those times, both as a Christian and a church servant/leader.

I’ll be reading the book slowly, posting a summary and reflections of each chapter a week at a time. (Book links are affiliate links but you can borrow from the library or buy anywhere you like.) I welcome you to join in with thoughts and comments!