They are the largest generation in history. In the United States alone, they number more than 78 million, even larger than the seemingly ubiquitous Boomers. They are the Millennials. They are changing our nation, our world, and our churches.
For the purpose of today’s post, I want to focus on changes they are already bringing to our local churches. I have the benefit of a large research project on the Millennials, plus the ongoing conversations I have with members of this generation. And I have spoken with countless leaders in churches about their experiences with Millennials.
Keep in mind that the birth years of the Millennials: 1980 to 2000. So the oldest member of this generation is 34, while the youngest is only 14. But their impact is already noticeable, and it will be for years to come. Here are ten ways they are shaping local congregations today:
- More of them are attracted to smaller venues. They are thus one of the reasons for the incredible growth in the multi-venue model of churches and the growth of new churches. Leaders of smaller churches should be encouraged by this trend as well.
- They see culture as something to influence, rather than an enemy to denounce. Many Millennials truly have a missionary mindset. They are turned off by those who constantly rail against people.
- They like to cooperate with others. They do not view other churches and Christian organizations as competitors. They are attracted to congregations that are working with other congregations.
- They abhor worship wars. I have a previous post on this topic called “What Worship Style Attracts the Millennials?”
- They love churches that love their communities. One of the first questions a Millennial will ask a church leader is, “What is the church doing to influence, impact, and minister to the community?”
- They are attracted to churches that emphasize groups. The Millennials want to be a part of a congregation that has healthy small groups, Sunday school classes, home groups, or other groups.
- They want to be trained on their schedule. The Millennials truly desire training. But they are accustomed to having that training available when they are able to hear it or view it. Such is the reason that many churches are going to video training while having “live” worship services and small groups.
- They will question almost everything. This generation will want to know why a church does what it does. The most unacceptable answer is, “We have always done it this way.”
- They are slow to join, and slow to leave. Church leaders are often frustrated that a Millennial takes so long to commit to a local congregation. But they are intentional and thorough. Once they commit to a church, they are less likely to leave, especially over petty issues.
- They want to be involved. If a church does not have an intentional plan to get Millennials involved in ministry quickly, they will not reach Millennials.
I love this generation. I love their enthusiasm, their commitment, and even their questions. They are one of the reasons I remain an obnoxious optimist about the revitalization of local congregations.
I would love to hear from some of you Millennials. And I would love to hear from some of the older folks like me who are interacting with this generation. Your comments are always more valuable than my posts.
Posted on August 13, 2014
With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
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40 Comments
I have found the results of this survey very interesting. As I agree with some of the conclusions, I must disagree with others. My favorite part of being a part of this generation is our the fact that we do not accept things at face value. We strive to understand why programs are being conducted in a certain fashion. Or, we want to know if a worship service is truly meeting our spiritual needs. If something comes up short, and we see a better way of approaching the said program, event, class, etc., we make sure that the elders are aware. We do respect our elders in the church, however, we recognize the growing impact of technology and therefore we must sometimes remind an older leader of this. We see the people that we can reach through more sophisticated means and we care deeply for their souls. Why wouldn’t you be willing to change a ancient style of communication to meet the needs of the lost souls that so desperately need the church’s attention? One point I highly disagree with is the infrastructure of Sunday morning praise & worship. The sacredness of a Sunday morning devoted to God has always appealed to me. I don’t expect the church to change this model. I do agree that small groups are attractive to our generation. These I believe do better outside of a set church schedule per say. It’s more of a missionary mindset, however. We have a great love, passion, and ferver to reach the lost. We will try any means to get there. We are willing to fail to succeed.
I am a “boomer” and I, too, like you, love this generation. I work with nearly 100 churches in the Greater New Orleans area and find every one of your points to be “spot on.” My most common exhortation to boomer and buster Pastors/leaders who sincerely want to gather the harvest that is the Millennial generation is: “Be patient!” Consistency of message and manner is as old as the Bible, so there’s no need to remind all Christ followers to be consistent in faith and practice. But whereas it used to be younger adults being exhorted to be patient with the older generation now we see a reversal: The older generation must exhibit patience in winning this unreached/unengaged people group located at our front door. Time and focus and consistency will pay off.
Dr Rainer,
Excellent summary!
I did my doctoral project research on millennial involvement in my church. Though a smaller study, it provided solid support for several of your points here. It seemed to indicate that your last point is the key – involvement. Involvement, specifically in leadership, allows them to help shape the local church to reflect their values, which they consider to be thoroughly Biblical. Your list above is values driven, and that is precisely where Millennials are. We don’t need to throw programs at them that we think will “satisfy” them. We need to engage them and allow them to help create organic change from within.
As you know, businesses are facing the same issues with Millennials as churches. This is not a “church” issue, it is a Millennial issue, and as Lynn Lancaster indicated, the organizations that figure out how to engage Millennials will forge a sustainable future. Those that don’t, won’t. This is a critical issue, if one considers that in ten years, by 2014, the YOUNGEST GenX’er will be 45 years old. If Millennials continue to walk from our typical churches, this will become a crisis.
Blessings, brother, and thanks for your great work in this area!
Mark
This post is spot on! Being in my 30′s and in ministry the past 10 years and working with millennials I can agree with each point.
One other thing I’ve noticed is that millennials don’t put as much “stock” in other teachers/pastors/leaders as previous generations. What I mean is that it seems previous generations really have an attachment with those who taught them and whatever that person said was like scripture. Also, if the said leader were to fail/fall in anyway it seemed to be much more devastating. The millennials seem open to learn from a lot of different people and aren’t as affected by just one man/woman’s actions. Not that they don’t honor or esteem others, but they don’t govern their faith off it.
I actually think the older generation may not realize this. They think because Steven Furtick, Judah Smith, or David Platt said it, we buy it lock, stock, and barrel- which I’ve found to just not be true. We aren’t as affected by “spiritual fathers/mothers” like previous generations. Not that we don’t have them, but that our faith isn’t determined by their actions and everything they say.
Just an observation from what I’ve come across. There’s probably benefits and negatives to it.
Great post!!
Being in my 30s and a scholar and the hard sciences I have to not trust everything that I read because too many people have published and reported on falsities. I also like reading the same thing from more than one source or getting a different person’s opinion. The Jews always consulted multiple rabbis to get opinions on what the Scriptures said just because it was an opinion and so you wanted to 2 or 3 opinions and then you could put it your own judgment and see how other people had looked at it who were scholars. We don’t want to listen to just one person’s opinion.
sorry- forgot to ask. Can you not post my photo with this post? i know a couple leaders who read this and we’re in the midst of these kinds of conversations and would hate for them to feel like i’m calling them out.
This post is spot on! Being in my 30’s and in ministry the past 10 years and working with millennials I can agree with each point.
One other thing I’ve noticed is that millennials don’t put as much “stock” in other teachers/pastors/leaders as previous generations. What I mean is that it seems previous generations really have an attachment with those who taught them and whatever that person said was like scripture. Also, if the said leader were to fail/fall in anyway it seemed to be much more devastating. The millennials seem open to learn from a lot of different people and aren’t as affected by just one man/woman’s actions. Not that they don’t honor or esteem others, but they don’t govern their faith off it.
I actually think the older generation may not realize this. They think because Steven Furtick, Judah Smith, or David Platt said it, we buy it lock, stock, and barrel- which I’ve found to just not be true. We aren’t as affected by “spiritual fathers/mothers” like previous generations. Not that we don’t have them, but that our faith isn’t determined by their actions and everything they say.
Just an observation from what I’ve come across. There’s probably benefits and negatives to it.
Great post!!
Speaking as a Millennial, I can attest to all those points with the possible exception of #1 (for me personally and my social circle). Thom, could you expound on the data behind that point?
I would add, expanding on #10 that Millennials like to not just be involved but to feel like their involvement is advancing the ministry of the congregation. For example, not just “in a small group” but “leading a small group service project” or not just “singing in the choir” but “contributing artistically as a chorister,” etc.
“They are attracted to churches that emphasize groups. The Millennials want to be a part of a congregation that has healthy small groups, Sunday school classes, home groups, or other groups.”
It’s amazing to me how many churches are not intentional about making sure that there are groups/sunday school classes for Millennials lead by Millennials. I have found that they will go to churches where every preference they have is not met as long as there is a place for them to serve and to connect- especially in ways that make an authentic, eternal difference.
Great observations, Ben.
Thank you for your book, blogs and podcasts about Millennials. As a father of two Millennials, and pastor to several in a college town, I share your optimism about this generation of the church.
It is interesting how they can both annoy and invigorate me at the same time. Just when I get settled into my conventional ministry rhythm, a Millennial will come up with a different – and usually better – idea.
You are right, “They are changing our nation, our world, and our churches.” I’m glad because I think we all could use some change.
I have similar emotions, Mark.
Millennials can be like a needed infusion and can tax you to the point you feel like you need a transfusion! I love them, they bring life and vitality to our congregations!
Hit the nail on the head! I’m 33 so I guess this fits me. As a pastor I’m regularly frustrated with how activities tend to clutter the most important things. We are striving to say no more. Less programs & more purpose. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Chad!
First of all, thank you for having an accessible captcha that blind people and deaf blind people can access with a screen reader. On another note, my husband and I are both Millennials and we fit about 7 or 8 of these criteria. I do appreciate very much the positive tone of this post. I do feel that sometimes, others can be critical of our generation. I do think, though, that Millennials have some negative aspects too that can hinder a church. I’m curious if your research has seen any of these or if this is simply my experience.
1. Millennials may dislike worship wars, but they struggle with appreciating and respecting the heritage of the older generation. I see this in the area, mostly, of Sunday night church. Many see this as an irrelevant practice, and for some churches, this may be true. But when you have a very multigenerational congregation (which I personally wish every church would strive for) Sunday night church is still a big part of their worship language. The reaction is often “fine, we’ll have a service ofor the old people” which just makes those relationships more strained. Nothing is as rewarding or sweet to me as worshiping alongside people who have followed Jesus for 50 or 60 years, and I don’t believe my generation sees much value in that. Tradition for the sake of it is not healthy, but tearing it down and alienating those who came before isn’t either.
2. Millennials may be mission minded and love their communities, but they struggle with judgment and contentment. As soon as something hard happens, they jump ship. Also, it can be hard to get them to come to activities when it conflicts with their schedules. Church is a part of many priorities, not towards the top of the list. I can say from experience that this comes from growing up in a “me-centric) world where we are entitled to things when we want them.
That’s just my few cents :).
Thanks for your kind words, Briley. Our data does not support your two observations, but that does not mean you are wrong. There are 78+ million Millennials. If something is true of just 20% of the generations, that represents over 15 million people.
Briley, I have seen some of what you have observed, and I think a lot of it is due to just being young. I am a Gen X-er, and saw the same in my generation, though it seems to be lesser as we’ve aged.
Briley, I have also seen what you describe. As a Gen-X with millennial children, I have seen the disrespect and lack of appreciation for the older generation and the way in which they want to worship but I must say, I have seen that same lack of respect from the older generation to the younger generations in that they have become rigid and lack the desire to see outside of what a church owes them as far as their worship experience. I too desire a truly connected, respectful multigenerational church.
I most definitely agree with your second point. Part of maturing in the faith journey is learning to stick around when things get tough, to ask the questions and be willing to work towards solutions rather than just leave or stay and complain about the issues.