1. Millennials and the Church
America’s largest generation seeks change through
hope, knowledge, and authenticity.
2. 1. Gain an understanding of the 4 adult
generations interacting today and what
makes each important to your church
2. What do Millennials think about Church
and Religion and what does that mean
for you?
3. Develop a plan for attracting and
marketing to Millennials
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5.
6. • Important events included:
– The Great Depression
– WWII
– Disney releases it’s first animated feature (Snow
White)
– The Korean War
– Sputnik went into Orbit
You might be a veteran if…
• You have the ability to entertain yourself without
a TV, in fact you remember the days before TV
• Popular Technology: Radio
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12. • Important events included:
– Man walks on the Moon
– Civil Rights
– Woodstock
– Deaths of JFK and Martin Luther King
– Vietnam War begins
You might be a Boomer if you can complete these
sentences…
• When the Beatles first came to the U.S. in early 1964,
we all watched them on the ______show
• "Get your kicks, ________________”
• Popular Technology: Television
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19. • Important events:
– The Cold War (remember getting under your desk?)
– Challenger Shuttle Explodes on Takeoff
– Berlin Wall Dismantled
– Fall of Communism in Eastern Europe
– U.S. Troops go to Persian Gulf for the 1st time
– AIDS Identified
You might be a Gen Xer if…
• Schoolhouse Rock played a HUGE part in how you
actually learned the English language.
– I know what a Bill (sittin’ up on Capital Hill) is thanks to that
show!!
Popular Technology: Computers
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25. • Important Events:
– Death of Princess Diana
– Death of Mother Teresa
– Columbine
– 9/11
– World Trade Center Attacks
– War begins in Iraq for a 2nd time
You might be a Millennial if…
• Blog, Facebook, IMing, text messaging, and other
social media are a regular part of your daily life
• Popular Technology: The internet, cell phones
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31. How Different Generations Approach Church
Older generations are more likely to:
• attend worship services weekly
• prefer traditional styles of music in worship services
• spend regular time in private devotional activity
• have a strong sense of belonging to their denomination
• be involved in church-based community service, justice or welfare activities
• be involved in community-based service, care or welfare activities
Younger generations are more likely to:
• be involved in small groups
• prefer contemporary styles of music in worship services
• feel that their gifts and skills are encouraged
• have helped others in a range of informal ways
• value outreach, be involved in evangelistic activities, and actually invite others to
church
• be newcomers to church life, have switched denominations or transferred
congregations in the previous five years
32. • Looking for meaningful work
• Seeking challenge
• Chance to prove themselves and show they can
perform well
• Enjoys contact with people
• Desire to be in a position of responsibility
• Resents being looked at as though they have no
experience
• Tends to be more job mobile
• Less respectful of authority
Who does this describe?
33. Training and Development Journal
Sorry Boomers, the other generations in the workforce
didn’t like you when you started working!
Every generation that enters the workforce makes waves!
41. Statistically Speaking…
• Young adults today are less church-connected
than prior generations were when they were
in their 20s. (65% rarely attend church)
• Millennials are just about as spiritual as their
parents and grandparents were at those ages.
(72% believe they are more spiritual than
religious)
• Millennials are significantly more likely than
young adults in earlier generations to say they
don’t identify with any religious group.
42.
43. young people are thirsting for social justice, and
simply not finding those principles in the pews.
They are seeking a place of creativity and critical thinking,
and a space free from judgment.
46. According to research, Millennials feel that churches should “focus their engagement
on actions that serve the common good or speak up for the oppressed rather than
opposing a controversial issue because of theological objections.”
