Ten Reasons Why Your Church Should Reach The Millennials (Part 2)
by Mica Olinghouse
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THE Generation of disillusioned dreams & unfulfilled destiny
If you’ve spent any amount of time with a Millennial, you have probably heard words like mentor, leader, passion, and vision. While it’s true that Millennials dream big and shoot for the stars, they often lack the discipline and follow-through to bring these dreams into reality. As a pastor or church leader, your role of guidance and direction is crucial to sustaining growth in these young adults. Without some tough love and a corrective hand, these disillusioned dreamers and visionaries will never fulfill the destiny God has for them.
Want some statistics to prove my theory? Then let’s take a look at the next four reasons why your church should reach the Millennials.*
*See Part 1 of this series for Reasons 1-3
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TEN REASONS WHY YOUR CHURCH SHOULD REACH THE MILLENNIALS (PART 2)
Reasons 4-7
4. THE MILLENNIALS DREAM OF DOING GREAT THINGS
When asked about their personal destiny, 96% of Millennial respondents believed they were born to do something great (The Millennials by Thom S. Rainer, p. 16). Nine out of ten Millennials believe it is their responsibility to make a difference in this world; six out of ten Millennials believe they will make some great contribution in their lifetime; and three out of four Millennials believe it is their role in life to serve others (Rainer, p. 36-37).
It is astounding how much this generation dreams of doing great things with their lives and in this world! Just think what a powerful force for the Kingdom of God these young people can be if their passions were turned onto Jesus and channeled for Kingdom purposes.
5. THE MILLENNIALS LACK DISCIPLINE TO MAKE THEIR DREAMS HAPPEN
If you’ve been involved to any extent with this generation, you’ve quickly realized this generation has the least evolved work ethic of any previous generation. According to Tim Elmore, author of Generation iY, “a significant number of recent college graduates aren’t able to follow through with the planning and focus necessary to perform and execute a long-term vision.” Elmore goes on to say, “They don’t like waiting for anything. Shows like American Idol are appealing to this generation because one of their peers gets to become famous overnight—and they get to determine the winner in a short amount of time. Usually, they love events, but don’t enjoy the process of growth.” The ‘pay now, play later’ mentality tends to be foreign to them.”
We are quickly becoming a society latched to government support, and we now want everything for nothing. One of the greatest fallacies of this generation is the ability to achieve success without paying the price for it. More than anything, this generation needs a heavy dose of reality!
As a pastor, your advice and correction is critical to building a sense of discipline and diligence into this generation. If Millennials are not properly molded with character, they will never see their bigger-than-reality dreams of achieving greatness come true unless you help them grow in Christ-likeness.
6. THE MILLENNIALS CRAVE MENTORS
Over and over I hear from my friends and those younger than me, “I want a mentor! I want a mentor!” This cry for authentic, personal leadership is proven in almost every case study conducted on this generation. According to Rainer, “Three out of four Millennials would like a leader to come beside them and teach them leadership skills.” This generation loves to learn, and they excel when they are taught with personal involvement and authentic connection.
As pastors and church leaders, you have an incredible opportunity to shape a generation if you will only take the time to friend, teach, and lead a Millennial. It’s going to take some of your personal time to get to know them, but if you will step down from the pulpit and be real with this generation, you’ll have a captive audience that will loyally follow your example.
7. THE MILLENNIALS ARE DRIVEN BY A CAUSE
Today’s young adults absolutely love joining forces with organizations that provide them with an opportunity to channel their passions into service. A recent nationwide poll discovered that 50% of high schoolers are involved in community service (Elmore, p. 37). Therefore, it’s no surprise that when Millennials are looking for a job, the majority of them will look for companies that make a contribution to society (Rainer, p. 126). No other generation has been more motivated by social justice than the current one. In fact, of the five new degrees ORU added to their undergraduate program this year, one was a degree in Social Justice. This is an ambitious, passionate, and compassionate generation!
In regards to Kingdom business, the Millennials are some of the most enthusiastic, active, outreach-minded segment of the local church. If you, as a pastor or church leader, will harness their energy into missions, outreach, or evangelism, you will grow your church by leaps and bounds…all because this generation will pour their passions into a purpose. If you give them a cause, they will mobilize your vision!
So, if you’re over thirty, I challenge you to step up to the plate and start leading this generation from your heart. These young adults need you, your guidance, and your love. They may squall at your correction, but they need every ounce of your wisdom to help them achieve their vision and goals. As you take time to invest into their hearts, these Millennials will transform their disillusioned dreams into a fulfilled destiny!
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