Inside the Soul of a New Generation: Insights and Strategies for Reaching Busters

By Tim Celek, Dieter Zander, Patrick Kampert

Combining their experience and knowledge, two pastors of the earliest and most successful churches appealing to the Generation X, help readers, especially baby Boomers, understand the spiritual longings that Gerneation Xers, or "Busters", have and give practical advice about how to reach out to them with the gospel and build Generation X-friendly churches.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0310205948
• ISBN13: 9780310205944
• Release Date: June 1996
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Length: 175 Pages
• Weight: 0.46 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Contrast and Comparison of a Generation

Celek and Zander help quantify the philosophies of today's generation as much as possible. They explore several of the many paradoxes in the thought of this demographic. It helped me, as an Xer and church planter, put together a church to reach people like me.

Excellent insights on Boomer/Buster leadership styles.

This book is a great starting place for ministers who want to begin to understand the specific needs of Generation X. I found the insights on leadership incredibly helpful. The last chapter is devoted entirely to the study of GenX leadership styles: the need for empowerment, community, coaching (as opposed to dictating)...etc Indeed, the value of this chapter alone is worth the price of the whole book. Careful study and implementation of these informative and practical principles can assist church leadership to steer clear of, or to resolve unnecessary conflict. I highly recommend this book to the wide spectrum of ministers in leadership, from senior pastors to small group leaders.(boomers and busters alike)

A Must to Read For Those Wanting to Reach Gen X

Fantastic, insightful, accurate and not filled with fluff. Celek et al. get to the heart of what makes this midnset tick. Their focus is always biblical and on target. It's great reading for those in the lay ministry or those in full time ministry. This book will help you understand why reaching Gen X is different than reaching the Boomers. It's different approach to a different group. A must to read.

informative, non-expert postition on a new generation

Generation X is labeled by individuals within the group as speaking up for independence and non- conformity, while the elders are busy referening to them as isolationist. Well, all may be true, but it is through the eyes of spirituality that this generation may become truly connected to each other as well as the church. That is just the goal of this book, bringing together the similarities, and doing it through there hearts. They ask a simple question "How can we bring spirtuality into the Generation X'ers life?". From this standpoint the conversation begins, and the results formulate a wonderful read.

Great insight into the workings of the buster spirit.

I picked up this book as an afterthought - not really interested in the content - but compelled to by the Holy Sprit. What I found was a book full of insight and encouragement. I felt like someone had finally captured - on paper - the essence of my personal relationship to God and the church. I read this book in several hours - and have passed it on to many friends and members of the clergy. I highly recommend it to young adults who are unsure of their relationship with the church - and to pastors who may be starting a ministry to the next generation of young adults.