A Dose of Millennial Reality

 

After having gone through almost a year and a half of living under the threat of a pandemic, it is not surprising that my personal priorities and concerns are vastly different than they were two years ago.  I have commented to my family that I feel as if I have aged ten years since March of 2020.  As the death toll rose, I began to realize the possible impact and the issue of my own mortality became genuine.  In recent months both Barb and I have had to deal with health issues that brought that actuality into clearer focus.  Ensuring the financial future of our family, revisiting our will and even pre-planning our funerals have become higher priorities.  I have also become more focused on staying healthy, both physically and emotionally.  I have had to watch my diet much more than I did in the past.

I recently read an article that caused me to think about how different my priorities and concerns are different from those under the age of forty.  The information came from a recent study done by YPulse, a research company that tracks trends among Millennials and Gen Z’s.  It compared the top issues and concerns among those generations in 2020, verses 2019.  It is not surprising that COVID-19 replaced climate change/global warming as the top concern.  As expected, race/discrimination was listed second among their concerns.  What was shocking is what followed; Technology addiction, debt and personal finances and job security were the next highest concerns. 

While those of us over sixty-five are concerned about our health, and quality of life, those under forty are struggling with very practical issues.  As we consider our own mortality, they are wondering what their lives will be like in twenty to thirty years.  In the world where technology is advancing at an alarming rate, it is hard to comprehend what the future holds. 

This has drastic implications for a church that as struggled to stay relevant.  With most members over the age of sixty, it is not surprising that the conversation around the coffee pot on Sunday morning usually focuses on two things; our personal aches and pains and how the values have shifted to the point where the once forbidden has now become commonplace.  In the process, we expect the church to minister to us and our needs.  As a result, we can give little thought on how to reach and minister to those under forty.  We recognized that there is a void in congregational membership when it comes to young adults, but struggle to know how to overcome that.

It will only begin to change when we focus on seeking to understand the needs of those around us, especially those who belong to the younger generations.  We also need to remember that Millennials in particular are not looking for advice, as much as they are for individuals to come along side them and partner with them.  We must not only be messengers of hope but seek ways to help them address the issues facing them and their families.