Does the Church Understand Millennials?
I have been wondering what is a millennial? I found that a Millennial is a person who has come into “adulthood” in the early 21st Century. Millennials are also known as Generation Y. These are people born between the 1980s and the early 2000s. Often the children of baby-boomers, millennials are the largest generation in the U.S. workforce.
There are some things that we need to know about millennials and the first is – “Don’t call them millennials!” Millennials aren’t keen on the word millennial since that word is often used to mean “entitled,” “narcissistic” or “lazy.” This group prefers to be known as individuals. Words like ”emerging professional” or “next generation” are preferable. To the millennial, the “command and control” management has become “coaching.” Employees being on a “need to know” basis has developed into a desire for “access and transparency.”
Jeremy Steele says that reaching millennials requires more than marketing and invitation. You need a plan for how to connect with them once they arrive. It requires a plan that engages in serious matters of the soul and feeds their hunger for authentic community. Sometimes, churches plan ahead and get millennials to attend church. Yet, they don’t plan for anything to connect them once they enter, which results in losing them.
Barna’s research found that millennials want deep spirituality. They’re not excited about “trendy” worship, but would rather have traditional worship in a sanctuary, not in an auditorium. Millennials coming to worship want to encounter the divine. Churches who have worked hard at making space look less holy and more corporate are finding that this is not what millennials desire. Millennials have no trouble worshipping in a place with stained glass windows. In fact, Barna says that millennials are looking for a place where community is important. 38% are looking for a place where all are welcome and where they can make new friends.
Many times the only interaction in a worship service is when people greet one another. Inviting everyone into a small group is very important in every worship service. Several churches have found that inviting people to gather for coffee before or after church is important. It gets people to interact with each other. Real community is something that millennials are looking for.
Millennials do not want to walk into a church and have to feel dignified. They want to be casual and relaxed. They would like to be able to wear a T-shirt or polo and jeans without judgement. Many of our churches today are becoming less formal and liking it. Sometimes the bulletin needs to say “Come As You are” or no dress code.
A casual atmosphere can be communicated by warmth and friendliness. I think we all love to go to a church where everyone speaks and is friendly. Most churches have moved away from the King James Bible and are using one that is closer to the way we talk normally. A pastor that tells what the next item of worship is and why we have it, is a place where new folks can feel welcome.
Barna found that 60% of millennials prefer “modern” worship over “traditional.” It means that talk about mission leads to action. Millennials want to worship in a sanctuary with people who encounter a real God that helps them live their faith in the modern world.
This week, there is a work team on Tangier Island helping people build ramps to their homes because the water level is rising. They are replacing rotten boards, painting and living with the people. This is real church, which says we need to love one another. We are taught this in church, then we put it into action. This is “real” church and this is what millennials are looking for. I might add – this is what all church members are looking for!
Let’s have “real” church in each of our churches. Let’s be friendly, warm and loving. Let’s teach everyone that Jesus loves us and we are to love others.
Author: Tommy Herndon