3 Amazing Qualities Millennials Bring to Church

I heard a quote a few weeks ago that said “You cannot attract millennials while you are using the pulpit to make fun of their clothes and behavior”. This is so true. In many churches today the goal is to reach the next generation but the current generation that is already there only points out how they dress differently or act differently and this does not create a welcome atmosphere. If we want to truly get millennials involved in church we have to start focusing on what they bring to the table, not what they are wearing when they get there. We have to start treating them as equals whose values and desires are important. We cannot continue to tell them that they have to adjust to our style of worship or our style of dress. Times are changing and if we don’t allow some of that change to permeate through the church then we will miss out on an entire generation that has some amazing qualities to bring to the table.

3 Amazing Qualities Millennials Bring to Church:

1. A Desire to Serve: Millennials are not lazy as many perceive them to be. If there is a mission that they can believe in they can be some of the hardest workers and biggest volunteers on their team. Too often, they are viewed as lazy because they are stuck in positions that do not excite them. Invite the Millennials into your service and help them find programs they believe in to help with and they will show you what work ethic is. If your volunteer base is small reach out to the Millennial Generation. Not only will they work but they will encourage others to do the same.

2. Diversity: I am not sure there has ever been a generation that is so open to diversity. Sharing the Love of God is not something that Millennials struggle with. They are often found in social settings and circles that are filled with multiple ethnicities and backgrounds with little to no judgement. If you want to increase diversity within your population then please make your service a place that is warm and inviting to Millennials.

3. Outside the Box Thinking: Many times what is keeping a church from growing is the lack of fresh ideas or ideas that are not catered to the right audience. A program that brought 15 new members to your church 10 years ago will most likely not be effective today. As I mentioned early, times change and sometimes we have to change with them. If you can get one or two Millennials on your Leadership Team and really start to value their input you will start to see things from a different point of view. Sometimes we get so used to the way things are that it takes a fresh set of eyes to see what could be done better. You do not have to take every idea they have but do not be so discouraging that they feel like they can never have an idea. Remember the old saying, “It takes one to know one”, well that applies to Millennials as well and in many cases it takes one to reach one.

These are just three of many benefits of having Millennials in your service. As churches seek to grow we cannot push away the next generation by poking fun at them or by refusing to change the way things are done. Yes, they wear skinny jeans and hang out in coffee bars but that does not mean they are some creature from the future that churches have to fear. Millennials are seeking a connection and they desire a church service that is REAL and RELEVANT to them. If we are spending our time telling them they should be more like us then we are missing the mark with an entire generation.