The Millennials are unique. This generation possesses a unique set of values, passions, and desires. These values and passions perplex many people over the age of 50. Some believe the Millennials are the generation the church needs. Others are scared of turning the reigns over to the next generation because in their opinion:
-The Millennials are too accepting.
-They have no convictions.
-They ask too many questions.
Regardless of where any one stands with the Millennials, their values are shaping the church now. This reality is something we must face in every denomination regardless of worship style. So let me address the questions I proposed earlier in this post.
Are the Millennials more accepting than any previous generation? Do they have convictions? Do they ask too many questions about God or the reasons the church exists?
The answer in most people's minds would be "Yes." To many of us conservative believers it seems that anything goes in the lives of Millennials believers. In other words, their "liberalism" in social and political thinking has infected the entire church community and their lack of faithfulness has created a void in attendance and finance. In some ways and areas this might be true; yet I want you to remember this-when Jesus came He shook up the religious establishment with a new hope and a new plan. Was it always acceptable? No! Did it always agree with the status quo? No! Did He set a trend that infected a generation? Yes! in fact, it's even infecting this Millennial generation today regardless of what statistics tell us.
Why do I say this?
-Because this generation of believers is more interested in helping others than building monuments to themselves. Traditionally, we who have supported the church for years faithfully don't look at the church like they do. People my age, raised in the church, have seen us grow from storefront buildings to elaborate facilities that cost enormous amounts of money. The reality is we usually use them less than 175 times in a whole year. We always tried to keep up with the First Church or The New Church by adding stuff that put many congregations further and further in debt. It had to be the biggest and the best or it wasn't good enough. We just expected and accepted because that's what our parents and grandparents sought for our children would continue the tradition.
This Millennial generation likes nice things, but the majority of them see the church as being wasteful today of finance or careless with their tithes and contributions so they don't give regularly. It's not because they don't want to support the pastor, or missions, or ministry, but they want to see their giving reach their community in a shape or form that tries to make it better. They do want more accountability and the church should always be willing to give that. Millennials are tired of assuming the debts of facilities that are seemingly there for show and not ministry. We need to remember that the sins of one generation can be passed onto the next. America is facing this and we get upset because we say Generation X is making us a nation of freeloaders rather than trend setters. It's time for the church to admit we need to change our thinking about our budgets and how we can make a greater impact on our communities. Transparency in all our financial activities is a practice of good stewardship.
-We don't want to admit it, but this Millennial generation is tired of seeing new wine put into old wineskins.
The majority of Millennials still have morals, values, hopes and dreams just like us. They are just tired of seeing junk go on in the name of church rather than the truth being preached and lived in Jesus. We gripe about the failures of the Millennial generation, but again we caused some of them because we allowed our standards to be compromised.
Here's the scenario we face in many of our Pentecostal churches today. Change does not mean compromise. We've tried to copy the world's standard to draw in the crowds with strobe lights, night club atmosphere's, and a casual approach to worship. Hey, it works for this church and that church so it ought to work for mine. Friend, that's not always the case. Sometimes we need a change in direction, attitude, and style, but not to appease a generation or people group. It's all about what please the Lord.
Most Millennials are looking for something that's not counterfeit, faked, or copies of what they can find in the world. They're looking for the genuine, the real, and the everlasting. They are not just looking for an eternal hope, they're looking for a now relationship with Jesus and one another. They're not afraid to ask questions about why we believe this or that, while many of us on the other side don't have the answers. We were big on evangelism growing up, but not on discipleship. We just accepted what was and expected it to always be. That's not the way it is now, and it's time we wake up and see before it's too late.
Our standard answer has been, "We've always done this in church." Any effort we put forth to reach a generation alienates another. The Millennials are not looking for special treatment. Again, most of them are looking for truth, spiritual guidance, and a mentor to help. God is showing us that it's not the style of music, or how beautiful or big a building is, it's letting the Holy Spirit be a bridge builder between all generations. I'm 64, but I still have abilities I can use to help the generation behind me glean from. They are not against me because they like this style better than mine or because they think out loud more than I do. It's my responsibility as an elder to be an example and a leader to those that follow Jesus.
Let's make it a priority to communicate, consecrate, and celebrate our relationship with Jesus as the body of Christ. Let the elderly, middle-aged, and youth know we are all a part of each other. Instead of driving people away or compromising the truth, let's be an example of the believer to this Millennial generation and stop the freefall from our churches.
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