Some more reading and thoughts....
I have been listening and reading Thom S. Rainer's blog lately so here is a recent blog on Millennials.
Who are they? A population of 78 million in the United States, the largest generation group. You are a millennial if you were born from 1980 to 2000 so anyone from 14 to 34 in age.
Here is a link to the full blog post but I thought I would list his findings from a large study and make a few observational comments of my own from what I have seen.
10 Ways Millennials Are Shaping Local Congregations Today
1. More of them are attracted to smaller venues. (I wonder if this falls in line with our fascination to find that quaint shop or coffee shop.)
2. They see culture as something to influence, rather than an enemy to denounce. (You are the salt of the world, you are the light of the world concept.)
3. They like to cooperate with others. (Maybe looking at the task of the Great Commission and pooling like minded resources to go forward with it.)
4. They abhor worship wars. (I would like to think that we are getting down to the issue of content over the issue of style.)
5. They love churches that love their communities. (I love this one. The local church building is a base to be used to reach out from the nearest in proximity to the farthest.)
6. They are attracted to churches that emphasize groups. (I think maybe Sunday School classes and home Bible studies are making a comeback over the large production worship events.)
7. They want to be trained on their schedules. (Although this could be looked at selfishly, the means to connect through shared video training is at our fingertips and maybe this is a response to all the online courses at the college level that you can take.)
8. They will question almost everything. (It is not so much about changing things up but what is working and is it still working?)
9. They are slow to join, and slow to leave. (I think this is a good one because when they join it has been thought through and the concept of ownership or loyalty is established for those difficult times.)
10. They want to be involved. (Here are Thom's words, "If a church does not have an intentional plan to get Millennials involved in ministry quickly, they will not reach Millennials." I think the key word here is "intentional" because it needs to include a plan but also the boundaries to keep Christ's mission in focus.)
So some reading from my desk this morning and realizing that I am out of this group but ministering to this group on a regular basis. Many of this is dealing with method while we keep the message squarely on Christ.
Adam
Who are they? A population of 78 million in the United States, the largest generation group. You are a millennial if you were born from 1980 to 2000 so anyone from 14 to 34 in age.
Here is a link to the full blog post but I thought I would list his findings from a large study and make a few observational comments of my own from what I have seen.
10 Ways Millennials Are Shaping Local Congregations Today
1. More of them are attracted to smaller venues. (I wonder if this falls in line with our fascination to find that quaint shop or coffee shop.)
2. They see culture as something to influence, rather than an enemy to denounce. (You are the salt of the world, you are the light of the world concept.)
3. They like to cooperate with others. (Maybe looking at the task of the Great Commission and pooling like minded resources to go forward with it.)
4. They abhor worship wars. (I would like to think that we are getting down to the issue of content over the issue of style.)
5. They love churches that love their communities. (I love this one. The local church building is a base to be used to reach out from the nearest in proximity to the farthest.)
6. They are attracted to churches that emphasize groups. (I think maybe Sunday School classes and home Bible studies are making a comeback over the large production worship events.)
7. They want to be trained on their schedules. (Although this could be looked at selfishly, the means to connect through shared video training is at our fingertips and maybe this is a response to all the online courses at the college level that you can take.)
8. They will question almost everything. (It is not so much about changing things up but what is working and is it still working?)
9. They are slow to join, and slow to leave. (I think this is a good one because when they join it has been thought through and the concept of ownership or loyalty is established for those difficult times.)
10. They want to be involved. (Here are Thom's words, "If a church does not have an intentional plan to get Millennials involved in ministry quickly, they will not reach Millennials." I think the key word here is "intentional" because it needs to include a plan but also the boundaries to keep Christ's mission in focus.)
So some reading from my desk this morning and realizing that I am out of this group but ministering to this group on a regular basis. Many of this is dealing with method while we keep the message squarely on Christ.
Adam
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