Millennials and The Bible

I do not remember when I received my first Bible.   I do recall taking a Bible to Sunday school somewhere around fifth or sixth grade.  One of those Sundays I was asked to read the story for the day directly from the Bible.  It was an awkward experience only because I did not have a lot of self-confidence at that time.  

I received a Revised Standard Version (RSV) of the Bible at the time of my confirmation.  It was a gift from the congregation.  We had a choice,. Most of my classmates chose a prayer book and a few opted for a hymnal.  My parents were adamant that I ask for a Bible.  I did not question it at the time.  Only when I went off to college, still carrying that same Bible, did I realize the value of that gift.  I still have that Bible.  The cover has come off and the pages are tattered, but there is no way I will give it up.  We probably have over two dozen Bibles in our home, but that one is special.

For Christians, the Bible remains not just a sacred book but guide on how to live.  A recent report from the Barna Group seems to indicate that while most Millennials share those perspectives, not all the news is good.  I also view the Bible as the cornerstone on which my faith is built.  Only in the Bible is the story of salvation revealed. Jesus suffered and died for my sins.  He also rose again, conquering death and the devil.  Because of that I can live confidently.  I have the hope of eternal life.  Unfortunately, Most Millennials do not share that perspective.  For them the Bible is just a sacred book filled with lots of good advice.  As of the stories in the Bible, they might be ancient, but probably more myth than reality.

The Barna report indicates that many young adults view the Bible much as they do any other self-help manual.  For them it is like a membership in a health club.  It is a way to improve your lifestyle and make yourself a better person.  That leaves us with the challenge on how to get the Gospel message across to a generation that has been labeled Moralistic Therapeutic Deist. 

I maintain that the only way that can be accomplished is if we live the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ.  Preaching and moralizing does no good.  It can only happen we live as people of hope.  That is what we are called to do. 

The Most Influential Millennials

A few weeks back Time Magazine released their annual issue featuring the one hundred most influential people.  I always try to read the issue cover to cover.  I figure that while there are many I know, but the rest I probably ought to at least be aware of.  This time around I was amazed at the number of Millenials who made the list.  Again, there were some I knew and respected, golfer Jordan Spieth for example.  There were others, like ultimate fighter Ronda Rousey, who I am aware of but try to ignore.  Singer Adele was on the list.  I have been told by Millennials that I need to listen to her because is not only is she easy to listen to but a genuinely nice person and good role model. 

Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, made the list.  Mark Zuckerberg, probably more than anyone else, hastened the advance of social media when he started Facebook.  While I know of him, I was not aware of the role his wife plays.  Priscilla Chen is evidently a renowned pediatrician who has devoted her life to the health and well-being of children.  Together, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan have established the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to take on challenges like improving education, curing disease and building strong communities.  Reportedly they have committed 99% of their sizable wealth to charitable causes.  They were both born in 1984, making them Millennials who are making a difference. 

Born in January of 1980, Lin-Manuel Miranda barely qualifies as a Millennial, but I would put him high on the list of influential people.  He has got young people excited about two things they typically are not passionate about; history and theater.  Lin-Manuel Miranda is the force behind the hit Broadway musical Hamilton.  He conceived, wrote and stars in the show, which is based on the life of Alexander Hamilton.  From a historical perspective, Hamilton was one of our nation’s founding fathers and the first Secretary of the Treasury.  We need more people like Lin-Manuel Miranda to provide Millennials and those who follow them with a historical perspective.

There is much that can be learned on multiple levels from the Millennial Generation.  I think all of us need to consider what we can learn from the young adults who live and work among us.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM RED LOBSTER?

I am an admitted seafood lover.  My favorite is grilled rainbow trout but I also enjoy the salmon I make on the grill (a little olive oil and lemon pepper, thank you!).   When we were in San Antonio over the weekend I chose Landry’s Seafood over Saltgrass Steakhouse.  In spite of my fishy passion, I cannot recall the last time I ate at a Red Lobster.  Evidently I am missing something.  Overnight Red Lobster has become the number one restaurant favored by Millennials.

Yes, you read that correctly.  The 23-34 crowd is flocking to the seafood chain.  Part of the trend can be traced to Beyonce.  I am not a fan (cannot say I would recognize one of her songs), but evidently Millennials are.  Seem Beyonce said the magic words, Red Lobster, in her song Formation.  Instantly Red Lobster became cool.  The seafood chain has also recently upgraded their menu to include “more substantial” dishes and locally sourced food, both desired by Millennials.  Red Lobster has also renovated locations to include communal tables that appeal to Millennials’ social mindset.  A couple of years ago Red Lobster was barely visible on the Millennial preference list.  Now they are on top.

If Red Lobster can turn things around, why can’t the church?  Like the Red Lobster of past years, the church barely appears on the radar for most young adults.  We are not a place most of them choose to visit with any frequency.  Things turned around when one person dropped their name.  I seriously doubt Beyonce intended to start a trend, but she did.  That is the power of the spoken word.  While none of us probably have influence of a “pop star,” we do have potential to have an impact.  Our words and our actions can speak volumes.  In other words we need to spend more time engaging in conversation with Millennials.  Don’t preach.  Get to know them and their world.  Show them you care.

Another thing Red Lobster did was change their menu.   They identified what Millennials wanted and gave it to them.  In my mind there is no more wholesome food than the Gospel.  In other words we need to do a better job of sharing the “Good News” and less time condemning their sins.  Our message of compassion and hope for the lost must be spoken loud and clear.

Lastly, Red Lobster altered their environment just slightly to make Millennials more comfortable.  Again, who should be better at providing a “communal table” than the church?  It starts with the sacrament, but needs to continue by providing a sense of community where issues can be discussed in a non-confrontational or judgmental manner. 

If Red Lobster can turn things around, why can’t we do it?