From Failing to Flourishing: Leveraging Intergenerational Leadership to Transform Christian Communities
From Failing to Flourishing: Leveraging Intergenerational Leadership to Transform Christian Communities
Arthur L. Satterwhite III | 2018
Abstract
An entire industry currently exists to create content that unpacks the Millennial generation and offer insight on how to lead them. However, what I have learned is that we are often asking the wrong questions about Millennials.
In truth, Millennials are not the issue. The question leaders must wrestle with is “how do we play nice with those who do not look, think, or believe like us?” And herein lies the problem. While the conversation around diversity is not new, it usually starts and stops with ethnic and gender diversity. My argument is that generational diversity is one of the most significant, yet under-appreciated, layers of diversity.
Furthermore, once we commit ourselves and embrace the generational diversity of our communities, the question we must wrestle with emerges: “How do I lead amidst the growing generational diversity?” For many Christian congregations, this question is central to whether they move from failing to flourishing. To survive their generational shifts, they need leaders who are willing to step out of their comfort zones and into the realities of those they are serve. Moreover, these changes will require leaders to consider new behaviors and develop new competencies that enable them to bridge the growing age divides within their communities.
Reacting to this reality and hours of research, through this work, I propose a brand-new model of leadership. Casting vision for what I have coined Intergenerational Leadership, in these pages, I architect a new theoretical framework; complete with the core competencies and common behaviors I have gleaned from interviewing a host of well-known, well-respected, and thriving Christian leaders. However, at its core, this new thinking is rooted in a straightforward idea: Leaders cannot lead those whom they do not understand. Applying a biblical context, you cannot disciple those you do not know.