Balancing discipleship, activities-minded ministry key to reaching Millennials

Their hair looks different, their style is unconventional and they often have at least one tattoo. Millennials. 

There have been countless studies done on this group of 18- to 34-year-olds, each with different, and often contradicting, conclusions. They’re selfish, but wanting to serve. They’re more authentic, but apathetic. And the conclusions go on and on. 

But there’s one statistic that stands out: Nearly 6 in 10 Millennials who grow up in churches leave to claim no religious affiliation. The April study conducted by Barna Group sought to understand the priorities, challenges and trends in youth ministry to see how churches engaged young people in ministry. 

For instance when Millennials were in youth groups 10–20 years ago the strategy was to entertain them, said Dave Walsh, pastor of Ariton Baptist Church.

“There was the hope that when they were older they would come back and get involved. That strategy doesn’t work anymore,” Walsh said. 

Kathy Cooper, minister to single adults at First Baptist Church, Montgomery, says one reason that strategy has become unsuccessful is because of the message some Millennials are getting from church. 

“So many feel that the church is telling them, ‘Come back when you are married. Otherwise we are sticking you with the college kids or with older singles,’” she said.

At that point, “what choice do Millennials have?” Cooper questioned. What would you do if you felt as though your marital status kept you from fitting into a church family? 

And gone are the days where it’s popular to be in church, said Russ Robbins, longtime education minister at First Baptist Church, Eufala. 

“In the past, you were almost judged more if you were not in church than if you were,” he said. “Now there are so many distractions and demands on our time and I think Millennials are interested more in adventure and experiences (than past generations) and if that takes place on Sunday, then it’s no big deal.”

Cooper agreed that Millennials are a mobile generation like never before.

Increased mobility

“They can fly to Paris tomorrow where flying anywhere 30 years ago was uncommon,” she said.

Increased mobility, additional distractions, feeling out of place — where does all of this leave church leaders? 

Walsh said, “Most people — Millennial or otherwise — need to feel that their time is being used wisely. If all they’re doing is sitting in a pew as a spectator, they’re not going to continue doing that. [They’re] going to find something else that gives them greater satisfaction.

“We need to get them deeper … to make them see what they do in church as part of their mission or ministry.”

Cooper agreed, adding that while the increased mobility can make Millennials hard to pin down, it can also be an opportunity for ministry. 

‘Want to serve’

“Many of my 20-somethings want to serve; they want to give and be a part of a community,” she said. “Millennials want to go to the lostness, not wait for it to come into the church.”

First, Montgomery, gives them the opportunity to do just that through a special fund that was set up to help young singles go around the world and serve. 

Churches also have to create spaces and cultures for Millennials within their congregations, Robbins said.

“We have to make a place that makes them feel loved and cared for and appreciated. A place where they’re not threatened and are comfortable, where they can ask questions that don’t make them feel stupid,” he said. 

For instance Millennials at First, Eufala, have a facility where they meet for Bible studies, cookouts and darts tournaments. “We try to provide experiences for them that aren’t conventional,” Robbins said. 

Keeping a balance between discipleship and activities-minded ministry is key to reaching this age group, Walsh said.

“To keep them involved, they’re going to have to see value in what they do and the time they invest into church,” he said. “And I believe that value is going to be something that is going to produce more missions-minded people.

“You’ve got to deal with people where they are and form relationships. … Regardless of what strategy is used, it’s got to be done according to God’s Word and the purpose always has to be to lead people into a deeper relationship with God.”

Cooper agreed.

“Our message never changes but our methods need to. … You have to make [Millennials] feel wanted and needed, and they will come,” she said. 

“The church must see the future in these young people, married or single. Get their ideas. Get their opinions. Listen to them. And then equip them and watch them reach their world.”

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How to minister to Millennials:

• Make a place for them.
• Involve them in service.
• Mentor them. 
• Be intentional to disciple them.
• Communicate the way they like to communicate, i.e. Facebook, Instagram, texting.