Nashville, Tenn. — The Millennial generation will not accept business as usual when it comes to matters of Christianity. They must know that their faith makes a difference.
Thom S. Rainer, president and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources, and his son Jess Rainer, administration and outreach pastor of Grace Church in Hendersonville, Tenn., unpacked valuable data about Millennials during Lifeway’s National Youth Worker’s Conference.
The three-day event held Sept. 12-14 at Lifeway’s home office in Nashville was geared to help leaders develop the spiritual lives of students in their ministries and featured experts in student ministry and 34 breakout sessions relevant to youth work.
Millennials, described as the group born between the years 1980-2000, follows Generation X and is the largest generation in American history.
Despite being more than 78 million strong, only 15 percent of Millennials profess to be Christian, a trend the Rainers hope to reverse by educating leaders on how to reach them.
“This generation is making a huge impact,” Jess said, citing the example of the number of Millennials who participated in the 2008 presidential election. “They are sending shockwaves through out global society.”
Jess explained that the older half of the generation is exiting college and are “redefining adulthood” and are determined to make a statement.
The youngest members of The Millennials are 10-year-old future leaders, and this is where youth workers fit in.
To help youth ministers grapple with the realities of this generation, Jess unpacked five defining characteristics of Millennials.
The characteristics are based on research from “The Millennials: Connecting to America’s Largest Generation,” a book Jess coauthored with his father. After interviewing 1,200 Millennials, the Rainers discovered generational distinctives.
First, Millennials are both a hopeful and self-burdened generation. An overwhelming 96 percent of respondents believe they will do something great in their lifetime.
“You are in a great place at a great time because even though a low percent of this generation is Christian they are a generation that is ready to make a difference,” Thom said.
Growing up as a Millennial, Jess said he heard that he could do anything he wanted to do.
Success was achievable and he was responsible for making the world a better place. For Millennials, this burden to make a difference comes from within, Jess described.
Second, Millennials are technologically and social media savvy. Of the 1,200 Millennials surveyed, 70 percent said their cell phones are a vital part of their lives.
“Technology is huge for this generation,” Jess said, mentioning that more than half of Millennials are active users of Facebook. “Social media is an intricate part of their lives.”
Third, Millennials value learning through formal and informal education.
“The Millennials are the most education generation in American history,” Jess said. Beyond formal degrees, Millennials value informal education through mentorships.
“We as Millennials want someone to invest in our lives,” he said. “We want people to come along side us and mentor us. This is where youth workers come in.”
Fourth, Millennials are disconnected spiritually. More than that, Millennials are disconnected religiously, Thom explained.
The Boomer generation, the group born between the years 1946-1964, began to move toward antagonism toward Christianity, Thom said.
“We were the generation that doubted institutions like church and government,” he added. “We began to have a negative attitude toward Christianity. At least when you’re antagonistic you are engaged. This generation, as a whole, is so disconnected that their attitude is not antagonism, it’s apathy. Therefore, you cannot expect them to show up in church because they are supposed to.”
This is a generation that needs to hear that faith makes a difference, he added.
“This is a generation that is not going to be satisfied with ‘churchianity’ as usual,” Thom said. “They’re not going through the motions like what much of my generation has done in the name of Christian faith.”
Showing them the relevancy of faith is key to reaching Millennials.
“That means that faith has to make a difference in their community and to the nations,” Thom said.
Fifth, the Rainers explained that relationships are paramount to Millennials, with 61 percent of respondents citing their family as their most important relationship.
“There’s nothing more important to Millennials than family,” Jess explained. “If you’re wondering where to start with Millennials, start with their family.”
The Rainers ended by challenging the youth workers to reach both the Christian and non-Christian Millennials.
For Christian Millennials, leaders must reject status quo, inward focus and superficiality.
“Millennials want to dive in deep,” Jess said. “They realize that life is brief. They want to get to work.”
Reaching non-Christians means tearing down the wall of indifference. Jess also encouraged youth workers to simply invite Millennials to church.
“A simple invitation goes a long way,” Jess said, adding that humility and transparency also help to reach non-Christians.
“Just remember that Millennials are connected through media and committed to family and peers,” he added.
“You are in a great position of leadership with this generation,” Thom said. “If they come to know Christ, they can turn the world upside down.”
by Kelly Shrout
Image Gallery
Photos by James Yates.
Student ministers attending the National Youth Worker’s Conference, Sept. 12-14, 2011, hear from Heath Eslinger, head coach of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, among other speakers.
Thom S. Rainer, president and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources, and his son Jess Rainer, administration and outreach pastor of Grace Church in Hendersonville, Tenn., unpacked valuable data about Millennials during Lifeway’s National Youth Worker’s Conference.
Seated to the left, Nate Carr, 1988 Olympic Medalist in wrestling, teaches a breakout session on how prayer is essential to gaining influence. Jeff Pratt, Lifeway student ministry, joins him on the stage.
Author and speaker Kelly Minter offered insights from Nehemiah.
The Chris White Band led worship at the 2011 Lifeway National Youth Worker’s Conference.
