Gen Y & X are smart!

I really need to blog again, but with one final essay looming over my head it probably should wait...
ahh stuff it I'm procrastinating...

I'm currently researching for this evangelism essay and found myself on the ABS and NCLS websites. On these sites I happened to find information on education and what people are generally doing after school. I found that more than ever before Australia is becoming an educated nation!
And the Crazy part is that the church, on average, has a higher percentage of education than the nation.

This trend in lifestyle, in my opinion, is a rather BIG deal for the Church of tomorrow. It will bring both exciting new opportunities and have with it a host of new challenges.

Compared to previous generations, Gen Y and X will be the most educated. These two age groups consider 'enjoyment' as the most important thing to gain in this life and is obviously linked closely with money.
It has been documented that you tend to earn more if you have a degree or some kind of higher education under your belt.
So education then losely translates into money, and money is enjoyable.

BUT this comes with challenge for leaders of these groups:
1. Aiming high. The longing for information and knowledge is a great desire to have, but leaders of these groups will need to better equip themselves in order to continue to reach the 'intellectual' on their level. To treat this group like young, immature people will only do harm.
2. Filling the Gap. The greatest challenge on the other hand will be in continuing to include those who are not pursuing further studies. By targetting and catering to the 'intellectual' simultaneously Churches could be easily overlooking the needs of those considered 'unintellectual.' This could be in the use of words, social gatherings and service style; where a slick modern type of service may only highlight to the 'tradie' that he or she is less valued.

Hmmm, there is a lot to sit and think over.
But I'm excited because we live in an age where information is easily attainable, the internet has increased our ability to connect with people and the Church has access to an abundance of resources which can be used to better grasp local communities, social trends and the direction of the future.
I hope we equip ourselves with the right tools to be effective in all generations and to all demographics.

Lk