Ten Reasons Why Your Church Should Reach The Millennials (Part 3)
by Mica Olinghouse
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THE Generation of broken families and not so happy endings
IMarriage and family has become one of the most ravaged, distorted, and broken aspects of our modern-day American society. Divorce is a common occurrence in almost every community, and “latchkey kids” is a regular part of our vocabulary. Spouses who once promised to spend their lives loving and serving one another now flippantly rip their marriage to shreds. Covenant has little meaning anymore in the world or in the Church, and the definition of marriage itself has become a national issue of tension. The men and women who have undergone the brokenness of marriage have experienced enormous pain and guilt, but it has been their children who have paid the most costly price of this devastation. Growing up in brokenness, this generation now rising to adulthood has no example, no pattern, and no training on what it takes to sustain a whole and healthy family. This is perhaps one of the saddest, most disconcerting attributes of the Millennial generation.
As pastors and church leaders, you have a responsibility towards this generation to reach out and restore their fractured hearts. Restoration is part of the work of the ministry and is something Jesus has empowered you to do. Consider the words Jesus spoke in Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity].”
The Millennial generation represents one of the most bruised, crushed, and broken generations in our nation’s history. As you reflect on this generation’s need to experience God’s healing and hope, let me introduce to you the final three reasons why your church should reach the Millennials. (See Part 1 and 2 of this series for reasons 1-7.)
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TEN REASONS WHY YOUR CHURCH SHOULD REACH THE MILLENNIALS (PART 3)
Reasons 8-10
8. THE MILLENNIALS STRUGGLE WITH BROKENNESS
Those of us who grew up with both parents in a loving and whole family often take for granted the stability and peace that molded our lives throughout our childhood. We have no fear of divorce, no issues with abandonment, and no divided loyalty. We have fond memories of our parents and siblings, we return to one home for Christmas, and we celebrate the legacy and bonds of wholeness and family. We have time-honored traditions, a healthy respect for committed relationships, and an inner compass of family love and devotion.
Unfortunately, for many Millennials, the sense of peace and security that should automatically describe the innocence of childhood has been ripped away from the memories of their youth. In fact, according to a recent Pew Survey, only 6 in 10 Millennials grew up with both parents. That means that 40% of young Americans today are accustomed to a broken model of family.
9. THE MILLENNIALS DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE VERY FOUNDATION OF MARRIAGE
According to a survey conducted by Thom S. Rainer, the majority of Millennials see nothing wrong with a same-sex marriage (The Millennials, p 66). In fact, when asked to state their level of agreement with the statement, “I see two people of the same gender getting married,” only 24% of the respondents strongly disagreed. Shockingly, an overwhelming 76 % of the respondents were ok with a homosexual marriage. The fight for traditional marriage isn’t just a national issue; it’s a generational issue affecting millions of Americans and their future families.
10. THE MILLENNIALS DREAM OF A LIFE-LONG COMMITTED MARRIAGE
Despite all the confusion, improper modeling, and pattern of instability, Millennials still dream of a fairy-tale ending. According to Rainer’s study, 86% of Millennials surveyed plan to marry only once. Sadly, although their hearts long for the love story, they are a generation ill-equipped to understand and sustain a life-long marriage. Unless this generation is taught truth from God’s Word and mentored by successful married couples, the future outcome for these young people is bleak indeed.
These statistics may be shocking and depressing, but they can change if the Church would rise to the occasion to minister to a generation. With Jesus, nothing is impossible. If you as parents, church leaders, pastors, and influencers will reach out a loving and corrective hand to this generation, you can be a catalyst for change and healing. Don’t let this generation duplicate the mistakes of their fathers. Engage them, disciple them, correct them, train them, teach them, love them. Be the father to the fatherless, a hope for the hopeless, and a restoration for the broken. Dare to step out from your comfort zone and speak to this generation. They need you to connect them to the eternal, healing power of Jesus, the one who makes all things new!
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