The Millenialists
A survey conducted by LifeWay Research in October 2010 reveals that Protestant pastors have some concerns when it comes to the emerging generation of young people and young adults in regard to their commitment to the Christian faith. Eighty-two percent (82%) of Protestant pastors agree (55% strongly) with the statement, "I am concerned that the emerging generation of children, teens and young adults is not embracing the Christian faith to the same degree as their parents."
Millennialists are those born after 1980 (under 30 years old) and are born primarily to children of Boomers. Numerically, they are the largest generation in American history. In the millennial's world, the Kennedy tragedy was a plane crash, not an assassination. They never heard of "cassettes" or "8-tracks." Al-Qaida and Osama Bin Laden have always existed. Starbucks have always been around the corner. 75% of them have access to a computer with 61% using the internet daily. 50% of children over 7 years old have their own cell phones. The good news is that millenials are less vulgar, less sexually active, and less violent than their parents' generation when they were young. (Source: B.J. Hart, American Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers)
The survey also found that many churches are having difficulties reaching and keeping 20-somethings. Researcher Thom Rainer pointed out that Millennials aren't reachable. It's that churches must find ways to approach them that appeal to the character traits of the generation. Discovering their character traits is not a difficult endeavor as they appear to be a bold and outspoken generation.
For instance, members of this generation are "eager" to attend churches that are "ready to make a difference and radically get into the community and radically reach the nations," Rainer explained.
In addition, the study revealed that pastors have noticed 20-somethings' responsiveness to in-depth Bible teaching. Sixty eight percent (68%) agree with the statement: "It seems that the 20-somethings in our church respond well to deep biblical preaching and teaching."
Despite the sheer size of this generation and the challenge to connect with them, the church is still called to reach them. It's not that they lack commitment to the Christian faith. What they lack is good role model of older generations who model Christ's love and character (and not be judgmental), who genuinely care about them and desire to develop authentic relationship with them and help them go deeper in God's Word. That's the challenge for the older generations.
After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD and served the Baals. They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They provoked the Lord to anger. Judges 2:10-12
Millennialists are those born after 1980 (under 30 years old) and are born primarily to children of Boomers. Numerically, they are the largest generation in American history. In the millennial's world, the Kennedy tragedy was a plane crash, not an assassination. They never heard of "cassettes" or "8-tracks." Al-Qaida and Osama Bin Laden have always existed. Starbucks have always been around the corner. 75% of them have access to a computer with 61% using the internet daily. 50% of children over 7 years old have their own cell phones. The good news is that millenials are less vulgar, less sexually active, and less violent than their parents' generation when they were young. (Source: B.J. Hart, American Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers)
The survey also found that many churches are having difficulties reaching and keeping 20-somethings. Researcher Thom Rainer pointed out that Millennials aren't reachable. It's that churches must find ways to approach them that appeal to the character traits of the generation. Discovering their character traits is not a difficult endeavor as they appear to be a bold and outspoken generation.
For instance, members of this generation are "eager" to attend churches that are "ready to make a difference and radically get into the community and radically reach the nations," Rainer explained.
In addition, the study revealed that pastors have noticed 20-somethings' responsiveness to in-depth Bible teaching. Sixty eight percent (68%) agree with the statement: "It seems that the 20-somethings in our church respond well to deep biblical preaching and teaching."
Despite the sheer size of this generation and the challenge to connect with them, the church is still called to reach them. It's not that they lack commitment to the Christian faith. What they lack is good role model of older generations who model Christ's love and character (and not be judgmental), who genuinely care about them and desire to develop authentic relationship with them and help them go deeper in God's Word. That's the challenge for the older generations.
After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD and served the Baals. They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They provoked the Lord to anger. Judges 2:10-12