Reaching Millennials

The most recent edition of the Reporter, the official newspaper of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS), included a front page article on a research project on young-adult retention.  You need look no further than most local Lutheran congregations to see the void when it comes to Millennials (in the article are defined as those ages 22-37).  This is not a problem that is limited to one denomination.  Every mainline Protestant Denomination is experiencing a decline.  The LCMS has probably done a better job of retaining their young adults than most, but there is still a noticeable void when it comes to actively engaged young adults. 

While it might be easy to just write-off Millennials as the lost generation and focus on today’s teens and college students, I am not ready to give up on young adults.  My experience is that many Millennials who have drifted away are now searching for a church once they get married and start families.  Unfortunately they are often affiliating with large non-denominational churches where they can hang out with their peers.  This troubles me.  As I shared in my book Relevant: The Church as it Relates to Millennials, sacramental theology speaks to much of what Millennials are looking for. The problem is creating a welcoming environment.  

The afore mentioned article does reach some conclusions on Millennials.  They are based on both research and focus groups.

1) There is a desire to connect at church with people in their own peer group, but an even higher priority for many Millennials is good theology.  This does create a dilemma for most Lutheran churches.  We have the theology, but lack the young people.

2) They are interested in building relationships, receiving advice from and being mentored by church members who are outside their age group.  In my mind the challenge here is to get older adults engaged in such relationships.

3) They want the church to talk about the difficult issues such as mental health, sexuality and the environment.  This might require us to listen and accept their opinions, even if we do not agree with them.

From my perspective, this presents a challenge within the context of our current faith communities.  I still maintain the church of the future will look vastly different than the church of today.  I see more alternative ministries like coffee houses and internet café’s.  I see churches being in the community through apartment and community ministries.  I think the future lies in connecting with people through their mobile devices, instead of in the pew.  All this requires church members who are open to change, willing to listen and prepared and equipped to be Jesus in a changing world.