The Generation Next Mindset
Church Executive Magazine ran an article in March 2007 about Beloit College’s “Mindset List.” Each year the Wisconsin school identifies the worldview of 18-year-olds entering college. Among this year’s findings…
Among the 75 citations of what last fall’s college freshmen will never have known:
– The Sovient Union has never existed and therefore is about as scary as the student union.
– They have known only two presidents.
– There has always been one Germany.
– They are wireless, yet always connected.
– “Google” has always been a verb.
– Megachurches have always been the fastest growing religious organizations in the U.S.
| Issue | Church in 20th Century | Church in 21st Century |
| 5. Automobiles driven to church | Four family members in one car | Four family members in three cars |
| 15.Coffee | Maxwell House in 40-cup urn, small styrofoam cups and powdered creamer (YUK!) | Starbucks Cafe’ Latte, Frappacino, Grande Mocha, etc. (YUM!) |
| 16.Comfort level | Same ol’ same ol’, predictable, comfortable, hymns | Edgy, unpredictable, uncomfortable, drama |
| 23.Costs | Keep it cheap because the church pays | User fees for curriculum, camps, coffee |
| 46.How work gets done | Committees elected by congregation | Self-appointed teams based on giftedness |
| 67.Numbers | Nickles, noses, budgets, tithers | Don’t care; whose life has been changed? Experiential |
2ProphetU is an online magazine/website, started by Warren Wiersbe and Michael Catt, to build up the church, seek revival, and encourage pastors.
