Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matt 28:19-20 NIV)
Who Are They? How Do We Reach Them?
They’re socially minded and have a high interest in spirituality, but chances are they’re not in your church. Over the next 20 years, this emerging generation of college-aged young adults will be the powerhouse shaping America in the twenty-first century. While in they’re still in active pursuit of higher education, now is the optimal time to engage this often elusive group.
Who are the millenials?
Today, college-aged students known as the millenials (or generation Y) are members of the generation born between 1982-2002. (See Neil Howe and William Strauss’ Millenials Rising: The Next Generation.) Raised by parents who are still actively engaged in their lives, they’re confident that they’ll make a difference in their world. This tolerant and racially diverse generation has been taught to respect authority, and is working within the fabric of society to change the world for the better. (Unlike the ‘60s counter-culture who rebelled against it.)
What do millenials value?
A 2006 online study conducted by Boston-based Cone Inc. and AMP insights shows that in the past year, 81% of millenials have volunteered in some civic capacity. "While our age group likes money and things… we measure ourselves by how we make a difference in the world," says Jen Clark, a 2005 graduate of Belmont University (TN).
Are millenials church-minded?
While this tech-savvy group is both socially and spiritually minded, a Barna Group study of today’s young adults shows they aren’t necessarily looking to churches to answer life’s "big" questions. David Kimmaman of The Barna Group says, "When and if young adults do return to churches [after marriage and parenthood], it’s difficult to convince them that a passionate pursuit of Christ is anything more than a nice add-on to their cluttered lifestyle."
Where do millenials turn instead?
This group wants to be challenged spiritually, intellectually and experientially. This may may explain why so many are turning to Buddhism, Kabbalah, and Hinduism while freely adopting tenets from other belief systems to customize their own. Some critics believe the problem often lies within our churches. So often congregants are merely spectators in worship services, and dry ministry programs require little sacrifice and effort on the part of participants.
What do millenials want?
Millenials are multi-taskers, relying on instant messaging, cell phones, and social networking sites to maintain relationships. They spend an estimated 10 hours online weekly and receive six to 10 digital text messages per day. In 2006, the iPod surpassed beer as the most popular thing on campus.
It’s well-known that the more technological we become the more we long for human touch. Thus, it’s no surprise that millenials want close, meaningful personal relationships. The decline in church involvement in this age group likely stems from the erroneous belief that the Church is not a place that fosters community and meaningful friendships.
Where are the millenials?
More young adults than ever are enrolled in college. The number of undergraduates in 2004 (17.3 million) was almost double that in 1970 (8.6 million).
"I hang out with sophomores at Vanderbilt and walk with them as they struggle to develop their own worldview," says Jonanthan Phipps, equipping pastor at Fellowship Bible Church (TN). Here, in the university setting, at a time in their lives when most are faced for the first time with competing worldviews, is when the Church has the best chance to reach or risk losing them.”
Since this highly influential generation is more interested in spirituality than its predecessors, the college years are also an optimal time for introducing unchurched millenials to a new community that shows them the love of Christ in ways that naturally resonate with their own values: service, community, and global awareness.
Will you reach out?
Here’s an awesome opportunity to mobilize for the Kingdom a generation already wired to reach out to the world! Perhaps you would consider volunteering with the following organizations:
They’re socially minded and have a high interest in spirituality, but chances are they’re not in your church. Over the next 20 years, this emerging generation of college-aged young adults will be the powerhouse shaping America in the twenty-first century. While in they’re still in active pursuit of higher education, now is the optimal time to engage this often elusive group.
Who are the millenials?
Today, college-aged students known as the millenials (or generation Y) are members of the generation born between 1982-2002. (See Neil Howe and William Strauss’ Millenials Rising: The Next Generation.) Raised by parents who are still actively engaged in their lives, they’re confident that they’ll make a difference in their world. This tolerant and racially diverse generation has been taught to respect authority, and is working within the fabric of society to change the world for the better. (Unlike the ‘60s counter-culture who rebelled against it.)
What do millenials value?
A 2006 online study conducted by Boston-based Cone Inc. and AMP insights shows that in the past year, 81% of millenials have volunteered in some civic capacity. "While our age group likes money and things… we measure ourselves by how we make a difference in the world," says Jen Clark, a 2005 graduate of Belmont University (TN).Are millenials church-minded?
While this tech-savvy group is both socially and spiritually minded, a Barna Group study of today’s young adults shows they aren’t necessarily looking to churches to answer life’s "big" questions. David Kimmaman of The Barna Group says, "When and if young adults do return to churches [after marriage and parenthood], it’s difficult to convince them that a passionate pursuit of Christ is anything more than a nice add-on to their cluttered lifestyle."
Where do millenials turn instead?
This group wants to be challenged spiritually, intellectually and experientially. This may may explain why so many are turning to Buddhism, Kabbalah, and Hinduism while freely adopting tenets from other belief systems to customize their own. Some critics believe the problem often lies within our churches. So often congregants are merely spectators in worship services, and dry ministry programs require little sacrifice and effort on the part of participants.
What do millenials want?
Millenials are multi-taskers, relying on instant messaging, cell phones, and social networking sites to maintain relationships. They spend an estimated 10 hours online weekly and receive six to 10 digital text messages per day. In 2006, the iPod surpassed beer as the most popular thing on campus.It’s well-known that the more technological we become the more we long for human touch. Thus, it’s no surprise that millenials want close, meaningful personal relationships. The decline in church involvement in this age group likely stems from the erroneous belief that the Church is not a place that fosters community and meaningful friendships.
Where are the millenials?
More young adults than ever are enrolled in college. The number of undergraduates in 2004 (17.3 million) was almost double that in 1970 (8.6 million).
"I hang out with sophomores at Vanderbilt and walk with them as they struggle to develop their own worldview," says Jonanthan Phipps, equipping pastor at Fellowship Bible Church (TN). Here, in the university setting, at a time in their lives when most are faced for the first time with competing worldviews, is when the Church has the best chance to reach or risk losing them.”
Since this highly influential generation is more interested in spirituality than its predecessors, the college years are also an optimal time for introducing unchurched millenials to a new community that shows them the love of Christ in ways that naturally resonate with their own values: service, community, and global awareness.Will you reach out?
Here’s an awesome opportunity to mobilize for the Kingdom a generation already wired to reach out to the world! Perhaps you would consider volunteering with the following organizations:
Campus Ministries: Campus Crusade for Christ, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Navigators International Student Ministries, University Christian Fellowship, Campus Christian Fellowship.
Source: Jeff Trubey and Ben Christy’s article, "Meet the Millenials" published by Outreach magazine, Jan/Feb 2007.
Join the Carnival of Homeschooling
Up Next—The International Bible Society
How was your Christian worldview shaped by your college experience?
Source: Jeff Trubey and Ben Christy’s article, "Meet the Millenials" published by Outreach magazine, Jan/Feb 2007.
Join the Carnival of Homeschooling
Up Next—The International Bible Society
How was your Christian worldview shaped by your college experience?Photos: paw paw67 (1 & 3) , onestudentry, .michael.newman. (Flickr)
10 COMMENTS:
Thanks for this article. Our church is in a college town and is trying to build a college age ministry. I think I will show them your post!
Great post - E-Mom.
I love George Barna's studies and his book, Revolution was outstanding!
All of my children were born during those years, except the youngest addition to our family. Interesting info!!
e-Mom, thanks for the stats and information in this post. Very interesting. Our college outreach pastor came from the mission field years ago and had his heart tugged in this direction for this very thing. He could see what was going on, on college campuses, and was probably aware of this growing trend, high-tech age group, and these growing stats. I'm printing this to show him, although I've got a feeling he may already be aware of Barna's study in this area.
A Stone Gatherer: Amen. Colleges are the perfect place to reach young people for Christ. :~D
Sandy: Yes The Barna Update (by email) is always thought-provoking. I haven't read Revolution yet (on the house church movement) but I'd like to. Thanks for stopping by!
Rachelle: My kids are millenials too... which is one reason why I find the information so compelling. :~D
Peculiar: Very cool! Your college outreach pastor may very well be aware of the stats already, but it doesn't hurt to be reminded. :~D
e-Mom, hmmm. I was just thinking about this today. My own college experience, at a state university, was wonderful. I was plugged into a great church and active in InterVarsity, and the Lord brought several believing friends into my life. I thrived in the environment, and the secularism didn't sway me, and actually the contrast between what my liberal professors were teaching and the Truth was so stark that it make is easier for me to see the distinction.
I'm afraid there is a whole generation of kids, including the millenials, and certainly the current school-aged generation, that may largely be lost. That sounds so very harsh, and it's not to say that we don't make every possible attempt to evangelize - we must always make every attempt no matter the situation. But...
In doing this evangelizing to the millenials, I would say to certainly use every available media to reach them, but never, ever to compromise the Truth of God to appeal to them. It's not okay to preach that kids can take a little Buddhism, a little paganism, a little bit of Jesus and it's all good. This generation has been saturated in diversity and tolerance and this is what they seem to expect. How stupid of evangelizers to give potential converts what they want because it will only lead to death.
The bottom line is that our human efforts are not what saves. It's the drawing of the Holy Spirit and the grace of a loving God. Not us. Prayer trumps every method, and I've never been one to like methods anyway.
Blessings e-Mom!
Hey there, E-Mom! I'm SO EXCITED about "Marriage Monday!" I COMPLETELY FORGOT about the last one and missed posting altogether. =-/ Maybe I'll keep my "wits" about me and jump right in.
I missed all of my favorite "memes" last week... I was in a slump and kept myself busy outside. All of that to say that I've MISSED visiting you and am HAPPY to be back online today!
Take Care..
LOVE YOU!
Jennifer: I thrived in the environment, and the secularism didn't sway me, and actually the contrast between what my liberal professors were teaching and the Truth was so stark that it make is easier for me to see the distinction. Absolutely, me too. I loved the university environment for these reasons and many more.
This generation has been saturated in diversity and tolerance and this is what they seem to expect. How stupid of evangelizers to give potential converts what they want because it will only lead to death. I'm sorry, you lost me here. Do you know of any evangelical Christians that do this in their outreach? I certainly don't. And I don't think that's what this article was implying. :~D
It's the drawing of the Holy Spirit and the grace of a loving God. Amen! However, the Truth must be presented by someone with "skin on", for faith comes by hearing...
It sounds like you have a heart for evangelism. Your passion is quite evident. May the you follow the Spirit where ever He may lead you! :~D
Tonya: I look forward to your post on Monday then! Have a wonderful week. Nice to have you back. (((Hugs)))
e-Mom, for example, Tony Campolo calls himself an evangelical Christian and this is exactly what he does. He is pro-homosexual, fuzzy on pro-life issues, bashes young earth creation believers just as good as any Darwinist, and I would even say he dips into New Age-ish theology. He openly calls for new evangelicals to separate themselves from the religious right, and this is what I'm talking about with post-modern evangelicals serving up "tolerance and diversity" that leads to death, because it's not the Truth.
Jennifer: OK, thanks for coming back to explain. I confess, I've never read anything by Tony Campolo, nor do I know very much about his ministry. So... I'll go do some homework now. :~D
Your point is well-taken. We certainly need to know what we believe and stand firm in it. Not only that, we need to warn others against unbiblical preachers.
As someone has said, when it comes to Christianity, love trumps all... except heresy.
Blessings!
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