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Making Compassion Cool: Nonprofits Struggle to Bring in the Next Generation
Gregg Burch
In the Wall Street Journal on October 7, 2004, Jeffrey Zaslow wrote an article with the above title. He makes a good case that, as Dorothy said in The Wizard of Oz, "Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore."
Zaslow quotes reports from a gathering of the brightest, most successful Jewish 20-somethings hosted by philanthropists. The article cites Robert Putnam's book, Bowling Alone, which documents a 50% to 60% decline in memberships at 39 service organizations since their highs during the 1960's. Putnam says, Every year we lose a slice of the most civically engaged people and add a slice of people who don't have their grandparents' habits of giving.
Quotes from the gathering:
The typical nonprofit is run by older people who aren't in touch with my age group. They need to push the envelope: things have to be quick, accessible, funny...
One reason young people aren't getting involved in social work is that stodgy organizations are unreceptive to inventive ideas.
Young people are easily distracted, bristle at hierarchies, prefer to work collaboratively and craft their own job descriptions. They often prefer "episodic" volunteering rather than long-term commitments. Many are frustrated by traditional nonprofits that marginalize people who are creative or edgy.
Studies show that 20-somethings are less apt to volunteer or make donations than their elders. Working women are too busy to join social-service groups, often leaving leadership roles elderly women.
This article illustrates what we are finding in the emerging church movement. To thrive in an apathetic culture requires innovative mission and ministry outreach. Building such outreach depends on the commitment of disciple-making leaders who will follow the spirit into this strange new land. Those ignoring the signs are entering a danger zone.
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