Description

A New Generation Church is a church with attendees whose average age is at least as young as the average age of the community in which the church exists. Any church can become a New Generation Church that reaches and continues to reach the next generation.

The Psalmist writes:

We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders. (Psalm 78:4 NLT)No Christian would purposely hide the timeless truths of Christianity from the next generation. But often we do, not because of the substance of our church, but because of the approach of our church.

For A New Generation is not about changing your church’s statement of faith or core beliefs. It is about evaluating and changing, as needed, your church’s programs, ministries and practices in order to more effectively connect with and stay connected with the next generation.

Written for both church leaders and members, For a New Generation presents 5 practical strategies that will lay a foundation for a church to thrive for generations to come. It is based on the assumption that accepting the status quo is the greatest threat to your church’s core mission and, perhaps, to the long-term survival of your church.

About the Author

After 13 years of working for two of the premier leadership development firms in the world, Lee Kricher returned to the role of senior pastor of Amplify Church, the church he founded with his wife, Linda. During the ten years that followed, the church not only experienced significant growth, but the average age of the members and attendees decreased from approximately 50 to 35 years old.

Lee's four decades of leadership experience in both the church and corporate worlds give him a unique perspective on how to apply proven leadership principles in the church. He has a Master's degree from Fuller Theological Seminary and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh.

Endorsements

The challenge for most church leaders is that they listen to church planters talk at conferences, and then go home to a church which they need to transition. As someone who has both planted a church and transitioned a church, I can attest to the reality that they are not the same thing. Lee Kricher knows what he's talking about when it comes to church transition. You'll love his practical, inspiring approach and come to value him as a leader who really understands the dynamics in your church. -- Carey Nieuwhof, Author, Leading Change Without Losing It; Founding Pastor, Connexus Church

Lee Kricher’s For a New Generation provides a blueprint to help churches grow in ways that are meaningful, purposeful and relevant. The experience Lee gained during his years in corporate settings is applied here to a higher purpose. If your church needs to better reach the next generation, this book will map out the big picture, provide specific examples and help to create momentum. -- Susan Bixler, Author, Speaker and CEO, Bixler Consulting Group

For years, Lee Kricher was an Organizational Change Consultant and then Vice President of Leadership Development at DDI. He was a trusted advisor to our clients and an invaluable resource. It is no wonder that For a New Generation is such a powerful case study in applying proven change leadership principles in the local church. Lee is an excellent example of a catalyst leader - someone who knows that leadership is not lighting a fire under the team, but igniting a fire within them. -- Tacy Byham, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, Development Dimensions International

What Lee Kricher has done with For A New Generation is provide a workable process for all those willing to take on the challenge of congregational revitalization. Written by someone who has lived the principles and the process personally, this is a valuable guide for pastors and parish leadership teams, regardless of their denomination. This book confirms that you can develop practical actions that can put your congregation on a road to vitality. -- Greg Petrucci, Director of Evangelization, Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg

At Parish Catalyst, we bring together pastors and key members of their pastoral teams from across the country who are eager to grow their parishes in innovative ways. The principles found in For a New Generation have inspired these leaders to consider how to better reach the next generation - a critical factor in accelerating parish vitality and growth. -- William E. Simon, Jr., Founder and Chairman, Parish Catalyst

If the church does not gain the heart and needed skill set to transition to the next generation, the consequences will be devastating. Lee Kricher has not written a book of theory, but a practical guide to getting it done. He has not only led a church 'back from the dead', but has placed it into the hands of next generation leaders. Simply put, he has gotten it done! It is my hope that Lee's heart and book are embraced by the current leadership within the body of Christ. Jesus prayed that our 'fruit would remain'. This book is an answer to this heart cry of our Savior. -- John Nuzzo, Founding Pastor, Victory Family Church; Faculty member, Rhema Bible Training College

Becoming a true change maker requires not just the insight that change is needed, but also a sound approach and the courage to take action. For a New Generation is an inspiring story of a church filled with courageous leaders committed to turning their church around. It’s a unique guide that will help church leaders and members apply sound organizational change strategies to their own situations. -- Brad Lomenick, H3 Leadership and The Catalyst Leader

I am excited to imagine how Amplify Church’s inspiring example of church revitalisation can spur European church leaders to look to God to breathe new life into their struggling congregations, and dying denominations. Lee Kricher wouldn’t let his church to die without a fight. This book can inspire new strategies for the battle that is just as real on this side of the Atlantic. -- Andy Peck, host, The Leadership File, Premier Christian Communications, London UK

Lee Kricher articulately and experientially lays out a road map for any church in any culture to be revitalised: to stop the decline and to breathe life back into a church. This book is not a collection of theories and ideas but sound principles that work in the real world! I hope that For a New Generation becomes a ‘best read’ of pastors and leadership teams from the many churches in Australia and Asia that would greatly benefit from applying its strategies. -- Peter Pilt, International Director, Global Care Australia

I have known Lee Kricher for almost 30 years and have always respected his leadership excellence and pastor's heart. Within the last few years, I have watched as he stepped into an older church that had been in several years of decline, and transitioned that organization not only into a rapidly growing church with multiple campuses, but also into one of the leading churches in our city in reaching the next generation. As you read this book, you are reading Lee's observations - which are both sound and proven to work. -- Jeff Leake, Lead Pastor, Allison Park Church (AG); Founder, Reach Northeast church planting network

I firmly believe that Jesus and his Church are the hope of the world. But what if a church no longer meets the needs of a younger generation and is at risk of irrelevance in its local community? I deeply admire Lee Kricher and his courageous leadership at Amplify Church to make the difficult, contrary, but necessary changes to become the successful multi-generational church it is today -- a place that seeks to shepherd its attendees toward an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and lasting life transformation. “For a New Generation” tells a powerful leadership story that will resonate deeply with any pastor or church member who longs to be part of life-giving community of Jesus followers! -- Santiago Jimmy Mellado, President and CEO of Compassion International

Rich in insight, difficult to put down, courage-inspiring, practical, and brutally honest, For a New Generation makes church revitalization seem invitingly doable---because it can be! -- Warren Bird, Research Director, Leadership Network

Lee Kricher is the first person I know who transitioned a struggling and aging church into one that un-churched people love to attend. He’s the expert I point people to with questions about transitioning a church. Now he’s sharing the principles he learned. If you want to ensure that your church is positioned to reach the next generation, For a New Generation is a great place to start. -- Andy Stanley, Senior Pastor, North Point Ministries

We get the same impression when reading For a New Generation as we did when Lee Kricher spent a day with over a hundred church leaders from our conference. He has a humble approach that insists on the need for change without leaving people feeling judged or vilified. Lee does a masterful job of sharing the experiences, challenges and delights that come with helping a church grow young. Don’t be surprised if For a New Generation becomes a reference book that you return to repeatedly! -- Alma and Brent Thompson, Superintendents, Ohio Conference of the Free Methodist Church