Five Steps to Bridge the Gap
Reaching Younger Generations Without Alienating Older Members
Dr. Bob Whitesel

In this seminar, you will learn:

• Types of worship celebrations that appeal to each generation.
• When it is time for separate services.
• A blended-format that actually works.
• How to keep an open door to the unchurched.
• And when parallel leadership committees are warranted.

6:30-9:00 p.m. Monday—This night for everyone...lay leaders, paid staff, volunteers, etc. You will receive an overview of the seminar with important take-home value. If your lay people cannot make the entire day Tuesday, then this is a great introduction that still will impart important lessons.

9:00-3:00 p.m. Tuesday—This is an in-depth day for leaders and pastors, with plenty of time for questions, discussion and strategizing. Bring your questions and your ideas.

This seminar traces the root of many congregational conflicts to generational perspective. Topics include: why 85% of our churches are declining, the needs of America’s churches are changing...will our strategies adapt, the generational battle lines are drawn, but widely misunderstood, and a 5-step strategy to bridge the gaps.

He shares a careful explanation of the strengths and structures of a healthy multi-generational (multi-gen.) congregation. Topics include: 1) How any church can grow into a multi-gen. model; 2) Key benefits you gain from each generation; 3) How to stop polarization between generations, before it divides a church; 4) and Why the multi-gen. Model is crucial for the survival of churches under 400.

Dr. Whitesel offers illustrations drawn from a thriving church growth consulting practice. Church leaders will study nine churches that are successfully employing the multi-gen. strategy in varying community environments, including: the Dying Church, the Rural Church, the Church Plant, the Suburban Church, the Urban Church and the Divided Church.

DR. BOB WHITESEL is a church consultant, professor, and writer with over 20 years experience. He is Associate Professor in the College of Graduate Studies at Indiana Wesleyan University, training tomorrow’s leaders from dozens of denominations. And, he is president of Creative Church Consulting (C3 International) a church growth consulting firm in Winona Lake, Indiana. Dr. Whitesel has penned over 140 published articles on church leadership and management, and is the author of four books in six years for Abingdon Press including: A House Divided: Bridging the Generation Gaps in Your Church (2000) with Kent R. Hunter, Staying Power: Why People Leave the Church Over Change, And What You Can Do About It (2003), Growth by Accident – Death by Planning: How Not to Kill A Growing Congregation (2004), and Inside the Organic Church: Learning From 12 Emerging Congregations (2006).