Ministering to Millennials

1. Ministering to Millennials Presented by Bobby Braswell, Jr. Associational Missionary Middle Baptist Association (912) 564-2884 (office) (912) 657-5889 (cell) middlebadom@windstream.net

2. Who are the Millennials? • Generation born from 1982-2002 • 78 million strong • The lowest child-to-parent ratio in American history — only 2% of all kids under the age of 18 live in families with five or more kids. • Millennials are big spenders (although they are just 7% of population, they account for 21% of all spending). • They are important to understand because of the huge, dramatic cultural shifts that characterize their era

3. Who are the Millennials? “When asked the open-ended question [by the Pew Institute], ‘Do you think your generation is unique and distinctive?’ Millennials respond, ‘yes,’ and 24% mention technology as the reason. Technology has helped define this generation: specifically 75% have social networking connections. In essence, they feel different from other generations, but they don't judge previous generations harshly. When asked about work ethics, moral values, and respect for others, a majority say that the older generation is superior. They also report getting along well with their parents.” http://www.personal.psu.edu/kdb9/blogs/giles_writer-in-residence/2010/03/how-millennial-are-you-the-quiz.html

4. Who are the Millennials?

5. Who are the Millennials? “There is a profound change in the behaviors associated with marriage and parenting. Only 21% are currently married--compare this to twice as many of their parents at this same time in their lives! In 2007, approximately 40% of all births were to single mothers. Clearly the linkages between marriage and parenthood are changing.” http://www.personal.psu.edu/kdb9/blogs/giles_writer-in-residence/2010/03/how-millennial-are-you-the-quiz.html

6. Who are the Millennials? “One of the most surprising findings from gathering these numbers is that this is the most racially and ethnic diverse generation, and one-fourth of all Millennials are Hispanic. However, they're not immigrants. They're part of a 40 year-old immigration wave, and they're the children of immigrants. The Center points out that by the middle of the century, the U.S. will not be primarily white.” http://www.personal.psu.edu/kdb9/blogs/giles_writer-in-residence/2010/03/how-millennial-are-you-the-quiz.html

7. Who are the Millennials? “Where are you likely to find a Millennial? This one should be easy! IN COLLEGE. The Pew Center cites census data to make the point that this is the generation on track to become the most educated generation of Americans.” http://www.personal.psu.edu/kdb9/blogs/giles_writer-in-residence/2010/03/how-millennial-are-you-the-quiz.html

8. Who are the Millennials? “Despite a dismal economic climate, and having grown up during two wars, the Millennials are confident about their futures. When asked, ‘Do you currently have enough money to lead the life you want, or do you think eventually you will have enough money to?’ 9 out of 10 say ‘yes.’ This is more optimistic than any other generation. Yet this generation has 37% unemployed or who are not in the work force--the most for this age group since 1972. http://www.personal.psu.edu/kdb9/blogs/giles_writer-in-residence/2010/03/how-millennial-are-you-the-quiz.html

9. Who are the Millennials? • Millennials often feel stress from boomer parents trying to raise trophy kids with perfect grades, complete experiences, drop-dead resume, etc. • Millennials are seen as high achievers, in contrasted to the Gen X reputation of "slackers.“ • Lots of competition from other highly motivated, hyper-educated kids. • Change is constant. For Boomers, change was a mandate. For Xers, change was instability. Millennials thrive on change (even though it is stressful and exhausting). http://genmin.gci.org/Web%20Documents/millennials.pdf Kent Julian, National Director, Alliance Youth

10. Who are the Millennials? • Very spiritual, but lack of focus. • Postmodern and relativistic — but desperately looking for absolute truth. • Often, pragmatism is confused for truth. • Non-linear thinkers. • Embrace spiritual experiences. http://genmin.gci.org/Web%20Documents/millennials.pdf Kent Julian, National Director, Alliance Youth

11. “Young people lack a language of faith—they had no opinion or tools—they couldn’t talk about Jesus. Maybe they long for God without being able to articulate it”—Christian Smith and Melissa Lundquist Denton after extensively interviewing over 3200 students.

12. The Millennials are not … • Pessimists . . . they're optimists. • Rule-breakers . . . they're rule-followers. • Self-absorbed . . . they're gravitate towards group activity and service. • Distrustful . . . they accept authority. • Neglected . . . they're the most watched-over generation in memory. • Stupid . . . aptitude test scores have continually risen in recent years (esp. in elementary schools). • Another "lost" generation . . . they are "found.“ http://genmin.gci.org/Web%20Documents/millennials.pdf Kent Julian, National Director, Alliance Youth

13. What is Moralistic Therapeutic Deism? Moralistic Therapeutic Deism is the name that sociologist Christian Smith gave to the default religious belief system of American teenagers, surfaced by the National Study of Youth and Religion (see Christian Smith with Melinda Denton, *Soul-Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers* (OUP, 2005). http://kendadean.com/371/moralistic-therapeutic-deism/

14. What is Moralistic Therapeutic Deism? Here are its basic tenets: • (1) A god exists who created and ordered the world and watches over human life on earth. • (2) God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other, as taught in the Bible and by most world religions. • (3) The central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good about oneself. • (4) God does not need to be particularly involved in one’s life except when God is needed to resolve a problem. • (5) Good people go to heaven when they die. http://kendadean.com/371/moralistic-therapeutic-deism/

15. What is Moralistic Therapeutic Deism? Kenda Dean suggests comparing this faith system to Historic Christianity as expressed in sources like the Apostles’ Creed. The glaring difference is the man-centeredness of contemporary belief. Cf., The Shorter Westminster Catechism (Presbyterian).

16. So what? • Embrace multiculturalism . . . by 2050 minorities will be the majority. • Embrace intergenerationalism . . . this means intergenerational leadership & partnership. • Embrace technology . . . as an enhancer of relationships. http://genmin.gci.org/Web%20Documents/millennials.pdf Kent Julian, National Director, Alliance Youth

17. So what? • Be relevant; not trendy. • Organize expectantly • “Try new things; do the old unusually well”—Charles Roesel. • Give them a reason to care about your church. In many churches: • The energy is primarily directed inwardly • Maintenance mentalities prevail • Comfort is the primary objective • All change is vigorously resisted: “If you don’t like change, you’re going to like irrelevance a lot less”—Tom Feltenstein. • Have a thoughtful, well-defined plan to minister to Millennials.

18. So what? • Follow through with discussions and goals in your own ministry context • Use social media for ministry!!! • “Young people need models of faith at home or in congregations if parents are not people of faith.” • “We ‘coach’ kids at sports, but not faith. Kids expected to be spiritual athletes usually are.”

19. So what? • “Ask more of the kids we minister to. Mary was used of God at 13, but we say, ‘Let’s not ask too much.’” • “Lead them by the example of a radical faith” (1 Corinthians 11:1). “We have to die in little ways too.” • “Churches do a great job of ministering to the 8% of kids who are highly motivated—the kids we want and see—work on the 92% who are off our radar.”

20. Resources • http://millennialleader.com • http://www.themillennialsbook.com • http://kendadean.com