Reaching the Millennial Generation
Faith Spelbring, DCE
Manager, Regional Outreach Conferences
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Reaching the Millennial Generation
Know Your Audience
Serve Your Audience
Know Your Audience
Pew Forum Millennial Generation Study
UCLA Higher Education Research Institute Study
Pew Forum Study
The Millennial Generation
o
o
o
Highest % of college students compared to other
generations at this age
Very sheltered
Very structured time
Pew Forum Study
The Millennial Generation
o
38% of Millennials are tattooed:
o
Millennials want everyone to fit in
They identify themselves as “liberal” and are more
sympathetic to immigrants, homosexuals, etc.
WITH ONE EXCEPTION!!!
o
Pew Forum Study
Pew Forum Study
The Millennial Generation
o
Millennials, though “liberal,”
are conventional:
o
Want to spend time with their
parents
o 1 in 8 Millennials have moved
back home with their parents after college
Pew Forum Study
The Millennial Generation
o
Result:
o Confidence in self, confident in economic future...
o Ethic of team work
o They respect previous generations
o
Hang out the only way they can… online!
Pew Forum Study
The Millennial Generation
o Less religious in terms of affiliation and attendance
o
They are not “secular”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiEiChf92D8
Pew Forum Study
The Millennial Generation
o
Biggest predictor of leaving the faith is interreligious
mix of parents
o
Raised by boomers (seekers)
Pew Forum Study
The Millennial Generation
o
Until 20 years ago, “young” meant that you were
attracted to evangelical churches
Not anymore!
UCLA Study
Higher Education Research Institute
The Spiritual Life of College Students
A National Study of College Students’ Search
for Meaning and Purpose
o
o
o
112,232 incoming freshmen students
236 colleges and universities
Six-page survey
UCLA Study
High levels of spiritual interest and involvement:
o
o
o
o
o
3/4 searching for meaning/purpose in life
>3/4 believe in god
>2/3 agree religious/spiritual beliefs provide them
with strength, support, and guidance
4/5 have attended religious services in past year
4/10 say it is essential or very important to follow
religious teaching in everyday life
UCLA Study
High levels of spiritual interest and involvement:
o
>2/3 pray
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
61% weekly
28% daily
68% for loved ones
59% gratitude
58% forgiveness
58% solve problems
¾ feel a sense of connection with God/Higher Power
that transcends personal self
56% perceive God as love or creator
49% experience God as protector
44% have felt loved by God in the past year
UCLA Study
“Despite their strong religious commitment, students also
demonstrate a high level of religious tolerance and
acceptance.”
o 64% agree most people can grow spiritually without
being religious
o 63% disagree that people who don’t believe in God
will be punished
UCLA Study
Student idealism:
o 63% say helping others who are in difficulty is essential
or very important
o 55% say reducing pain and suffering in the world is
essential or very important
Act on ideas:
o 82% performed volunteer work in high school
o 70% say they are trying to change things that are
unfair in the world
UCLA Study
Student Doubts
o 65% occasionally felt distant from god
o 57% question their beliefs
o 48% have felt angry with god
o 52% disagree with families about religious matters
Meet Your Audience
Serve Your Audience
o
Get to know the Millennials in your life
o
o
o
o
Meaningful involvement
o
o
o
Learn about them
Learn what they are being taught
Learn what they think of the church
Build around their passions
Build them into leadership
Challenge them
o
o
Serious study of God’s Word
Sharing their faith
Serve Your Audience
o
Getting to know Millennials
o
o
o
o
o
Take them out for coffee
Group dinners
Adopt a student program
Take a class on campus
Evaluate ministry and act on
what they say
Serve Your Audience
o
Meaningful involvement
o
Service opportunities
o
o
o
Community Service – in areas of interest for them
o Park/beach clean up
o Plant trees
Mission trip – in areas of interest for them
o Mexico
o New Orleans
o Haiti
Leadership roles
o
o
o
Lead mission project – for the whole church!
Church council?
Shepherd the next generation
Serve Your Audience
o
What services can you offer
o
o
o
o
o
Marriage
Parenting
Finances
Saving for Retirement
How can we use technology to reach them?
o
o
o
Twitter/Facebook
Images/Video
Text
Serve Your Audience
o
Challenge them
o
o
Learn about other religions
Evangelism training
Serve Your Audience
o
o
Love the Millennials in your life!
Offer them what no one else will…Jesus!
Reaching the Millennial Generation
Thank you!