Pursuing the Pursuer
  • Home
  • About
    • Who Are We?
    • Our Mission
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Pursuing Purity
    • Sermons
  • The Gospel
  • Social
  • Contact

Stop Trying to Reach Millennials

3/14/2017

10 Comments

 
Picture
You’ve read the articles and gone to the seminars about it. You’ve seen the info graphics and watched the videos about it. You may have even sought out the advice of the self-described “professional” on how in the world to reach this demographic known as The Millennials. Yet there still doesn’t seem to be much conclusive help as to how to reach this group.

The problem is that we’re not treating millennials as individuals. Instead, there’s a common misconception that millennials are all the same and you can reach them all in the same way. I’m a millennial, and I’m much different than other millennials that I work with and interact with on a daily basis. We’re not all the same!

Now let me be clear, I think it’s wonderful that church’s seem to care so much about reaching millennials. Many churches have gone to great lengths trying to most effectively reach my generation. The problem I have is in their approach, not in their heartbeat.

It’s time we stopped segmenting off an entire generation and instead focused on the time-tested principles of reaching individuals that we find in God’s Word. You must relate to individuals no matter what walk of life they’re in. Statistics about millennials are tremendously helpful and I’m not questioning them, but you should also understand that modeling your church’s message around overarching statistics about a large demographic won’t give you the return you are looking for. Frankly, many “experts” on the topic that I have met and/or read are wrong. Their information about millennials is informed by the culture they are a part of and they simply don’t have all the answers (even if they build themselves up to have them).

The dilemma remains: there is a whole generation out there that needs to be reached. So how do we reach them? As a millennial myself, who happens to also be a pastor, I get this question all the time. The answer, I believe, is found in Christ’s heart for the individual. It’s more about relationships than demographics! Of course, some of you may be thinking, that’s such a ‘Millennial’ thing to say, but I believe this concept spans across all generations.
​
The questions millennials seek answers for have not changed. They are the same questions people have been asking for centuries. Questions like, “What is my purpose in life?” or, “Does God even care?” are frequently asked by my generation. The church ought to be able to offer the answer to this by showing the goodness of God and the goodness of being a community that’s not afraid to ask tough questions.

We (as millennials) want our churches to be big on person-to-person discipleship. We strive to build healthy relationships with other believers. We long for community! This is exactly what God created all people to love. Every generation has been endowed with a love for true community. Churches should emphasize personal discipleship and one-on-one relationships, not because millennials want it, but because it’s both universally effective and thoroughly Scriptural. But none of this can happen if you insist on unnecessarily creating generational divides. None of this will be possible if you keep just calling us “millennials.” Nothing says, “I don’t want to get to know you,” more than a preacher saying, “I already know you because I know all about millennials.” Maybe it’s time we stop writing posts about “How to Reach Millennials” and start focusing on reaching people! So don’t call me a millennial. Look at me as a fellow image bearer of God and treat me like one.
​

​​Caleb Phelps graduated from BJU with a BA in Bible and an MA in Theology. After graduating from seminary Caleb traveled in evangelism which took him across the country to many different churches and camps. While he was traveling Caleb met the love of his life, Rachel. They got married and moved to Indianapolis, IN where Caleb now serves as the youth pastor at Crosspointe Baptist Church. You can check out his youth group's website at www.crosspointeyouth.com.
10 Comments
Brandon Adams link
3/14/2017 10:58:55 am

Indeed.

I recently read an article on "eight church flaws that are driving away millennials" or something such. After finishing I realized - these aren't specially targeted church problems. They're just problems in general. The reason they've been identified with pushing away millennials in particular is because we tend to be more mobile, more willing to cut bait, more willing to make a change and leave when things aren't going well. We don't stick around for the good child care (because a lot of us don't have children). That's a generality and a bit of a box-lumping, I admit, but a justified one.

Point is, quite trying to fix the church for millennials and just fix the church. A church that's built around Jesus' commands will attract the right people.

Reply
Caleb Phelps
3/14/2017 12:28:55 pm

Good point. People aren't categories. We need to relate to them as individuals.

Reply
Aaron link
3/14/2017 12:43:45 pm

I think churches underestimate what genuine, selfless, hospitable love can do, regardless of your generation. This is what the divided church at Corinth needed to realize (1 Cor 13). Love is "a more excellent way." If a church is characterized by love, they won't only be retaining "Millennials."

Reply
D link
3/14/2017 11:43:43 am

If the previous generation does not know how to disciple people, who is going to teach them?

Reply
Aaron link
3/14/2017 12:17:23 pm

Good point! personal discipleship is essential, no matter your age. I think if churches aren't intentional in practicing intentional, personal discipleship, they'll lose more than just the millennials.

Reply
Caleb Phelps
3/14/2017 12:38:25 pm

God intended His church to be multi-generational. That's why Titus 2 instructs the older women in the church to teach the younger women. We need each other!

Reply
John Myer link
3/14/2017 11:00:16 pm

I pastor a church of so-called Millennials. I agree with you. I'm finding that these folks rarely conform to stereotypes, but respond well to things the Holy Spirit has universally mandated in truth, mission, and community. This is, of course, after I read two hundred books and spent years wondering if there was a secret formula.
www.bareknuckle.org

Reply
Aaron link
3/15/2017 07:19:18 am

That's why I think it's good to have a healthy suspicion of the newest strategies and church-growth tips. We must always compare them with the time-tested principles of Scripture!

Reply
Robbi link
3/20/2017 09:33:59 pm

Amen. I think I just missed the millennial mark, but I wish churches would stop trying to attract audiences and just teach the Word and minister to people.

Reply
Bryan Stoudt link
3/28/2017 08:35:57 am

Hey Aaron, I'm a pastor to healthcare students and professionals, most of whom are millennials. I really appreciate the way you focus on embodying the principles God lays out in Scripture rather than looking for a formula that doesn't really exist. This approach is so hopeful in that, if we simply love people and get to know them, God is likely to use us as an encouragement in their lives. Blessings to you.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Right Click 'RSS' and c/p address to your feedreader

    Popular Articles


    The Problem With Christian Trump Supporters

    How to Have Personal Standards Without Being a Legalist


    The Heart of Modesty

    ​Stop Trying to Reach Millennials

    Authors

    Aaron Berry
    Ben Hicks
    Caleb Phelps
    Michael Conn
    Collaborative Articles
    Guest Articles

    Like our Facebook page to keep up with the latest articles!

    Categories

    All
    Author: Aaron Berry
    Author: Ben Hicks
    Author: Caleb Phelps
    Author: Michael Conn
    Children's Ministry
    Christian Living
    Christmas
    Church
    Collaborative Post
    Counseling
    Culture
    Current Events
    Death
    Encouragement
    Entertainment
    Eschatology
    Evangelism
    Family
    Guest Posts
    Homosexuality
    Hope
    Legalism
    Love
    Manhood
    Marriage
    Modesty
    Music
    Pastoral Ministry
    Politics
    Spiritual Gifts
    Standards
    Theology
    Youth

    Archives

    November 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About
    • Who Are We?
    • Our Mission
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Pursuing Purity
    • Sermons
  • The Gospel
  • Social
  • Contact