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Why Every Leader Must Learn to Lead Across Generations

One of the biggest leadership challenges today isn’t just vision—it’s understanding the people you lead. And if you’re leading in the Church, that means navigating a multi-generational reality.

Boomers think Millennials need to toughen up.

Gen Z thinks Boomers don’t get it.

Gen X is caught in the middle, wondering why no one is listening to them.

But here’s the truth: Every generation is shaped by its time, but God’s mission is timeless. If we want to lead well, we have to understand where people are coming from and where they’re going.

Over the next few weeks we are going to dive into the subject of leading a multi-generational church, and in particular, a multi-generational team. I’m working on Field Guide for Cross-Generational Leadership to help compile best practices and research into one place!

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Every Generation Brings Strengths and Struggles

If we’re going to lead across generations, we need to understand what drives each generation—and what holds them back.

Boomers (Born 1946–1964) – The Builders

• Strengths: Loyalty, experience, wisdom, and resilience.

• Struggles: Struggle with rapid cultural change and digital shifts.

• Biblical Example: Moses—a leader who carried deep responsibility and passed the baton to Joshua.

• Leadership Tip: Honour their experience and invite them to mentor younger leaders.

Gen X (Born 1965–1980) – The Independents

• Strengths: Strategic, practical, skeptical of hype.

• Struggles: Hesitant to fully commit to institutions.

• Biblical Example: Nehemiah—a leader who worked behind the scenes, skeptical but effective.

• Leadership Tip: Give them autonomy and practical leadership roles.

Millennials (Born 1981–1996) – The Collaborators

• Strengths: Passionate, creative, purpose-driven.

• Struggles: Impatient with slow progress, prone to burnout.

• Biblical Example: Timothy—young and called but needed mentoring.

• Leadership Tip: Invest in relational leadership and mentorship.

Gen Z (Born 1997–2012) – The Digital Natives

• Strengths: Authentic, innovative, value diversity and mental health.

• Struggles: Low institutional trust, short attention span, struggle with resilience.

• Biblical Example: David (as a youth)—bold, unfiltered, and eager to lead.

• Leadership Tip: Be transparent, real, and willing to develop their resilience.

💡 Key Takeaway: The Church doesn’t need one generation to win—it needs every generation to work together.

1. Embrace a Paul-Timothy Leadership Model

“What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” – 2 Timothy 2:2

• Older leaders: Pass on wisdom, don’t just hold onto power.

• Younger leaders: Be coachable and invest in long-term growth.

2. Lead with Humility and Honor

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves.” – Romans 12:10

• Boomers, honour innovation.

• Millennials and Gen Z, honor experience.

• Gen X, don’t disengage—lean in as mentors.

3. Communicate Across Generational Lines

• Boomers prefer face-to-face or formal communication.

• Gen X values practical, direct communication.

• Millennials like story-driven and relational communication.

• Gen Z responds to short-form, digital communication.

💡 Key Takeaway: Great leaders don’t just speak their language—they learn the language of those they lead.

Final Thought: The Church Needs Cross-Generational Leadership

The Church isn’t a one-generation mission—it’s a multi-generational movement.

“One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.” – Psalm 145:4

The best leaders don’t just lead their generation—they empower the next.

So here’s my challenge for you this week:

✅ Find one younger leader to invest in.

✅ Find one older leader to learn from.

✅ Take one step to build a bridge instead of a wall.

💡 Great leadership isn’t about leading a moment—it’s about leading a movement.

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