Ten years ago, I switched from multi-generational ministry in a local congregation to a ministry with college students. I found myself, a mid-life baby boomer, ministering with a staff of Generation X-ers. As I adjusted to this change, a new shift happened. The college students were suddenly part of a new generation, the Millennials.
Born after 1980, they were school age when the new millennium began.
I became a boomer leading X-ers to serve Millennials. Now that Millennials are joining our staff team, some of the changes they bring are refreshing.
Young adults are frequently the front line for many ministries. They are often the ones providing direct oversight of children and youth, leading activities, greeting guests, and much more. Who is this new generation, and how can we best work with them?
A generation of winners
The Millennials experienced most of their formative growth in the 1990s. Children of economic prosperity, busy two-income or single-parent households, they spent much of their time in structured, adult-led settings. David Brooks named this group the “organization kids” (Atlantic Monthly, April 2001), from daycare to arranged play dates to select teams, these aren’t latchkey kids; this group has been guided and kept “safe.” Some dominant traits of Millennials:
High self-esteem. This generation has been bombarded with positive messages. They have been told they can do or be anything they want. They are optimistic, self-reliant, braced for change. When younger they may have been on a soccer team, gone 0-10, but still they had a banquet and everyone got a trophy.
This can create the problem of overconfidence; they believe they can tackle any opportunity, but may lack the maturity needed for critical decision making and problem solving. Theirs is a positive can-do attitude. At times, it seems, they all want to be leaders.
Community focused. They think, relate, and live in groups. Sometimes this is referred to as “tribalism.” Their groups are highly accepting and affirming. They enjoy the sense of coordinated efforts and shared experiences. They think in terms of “us” as opposed to “me.” When I ask students how our ministry helps them, the overwhelming answer is the connection with others.
A world without boundaries. Today’s youngest adults have a global, multi-ethnic, multicultural view of the world. Through technology and the media, this generation has developed a perception that they understand the world, and they desire to experience it. This results in high mobility, even globally. Beyond physical borders, the culture has created the sense that the world has few spiritual or even moral borders. Tolerance is highly valued; the young people coming of age today assume that such openness is a good thing. This can create tensions resulting in growing theological complexities.
Entertainment driven. Millennials are “mediavores”—they consume media. Entertainment drives their free time and their values.
A student intern with limited income asked me to help her set a budget. “How much do you think you will need a month for food?” I asked.
“About $100. That’s what I spend now,” she responded.
“What about entertainment?”
“About $100 per month,” she said. “It’s really important to me that I can go to concerts and stuff.”
I was stunned that she projected the same amount of money for food as for entertainment. I thought, This is the end of “daily bread” having substantive meaning. It also means living at home after college.
Expectation of a comfortable lifestyle. Growing up in the 1990s, many Millennials experienced two-income households, a strong economy, and growing consumerism. Accustomed to relative affluence, they’re reluctant to “start out on their own.” Their parents often are willing to continue financial support to “protect” their children from the difficulties of struggling.
With unclear rites of passage, young people “prolong adolescence,” delaying the transition to full adult responsibilities and relationships until sometime between 25 and 30 years of age. In a 2002 report, 63 percent of college graduates planned to move home after graduation.
Bringing Millennials into leadership
Boomers have spent the past three decades dismantling and reassembling the church structures created by their parents, often in the contemporary and seeker-sensitive models. Starting about ten years ago, some of their Gen-X successors began making their own contribution to American Christianity. The “emerging church” leaders introduced postmodern worship with indigenous music combined with ancient rites and emphasis on sensory experience.
Millennial generation leaders are beginning to take their places now. The oldest are 24 years old, and are the newest youth pastors, college ministers, and seminary students. As with earlier generations, new styles of leadership and organizational expectations will develop.
For pastors still struggling to figure out ministry to postmoderns, it may be helpful to focus on Millennials, perhaps the first generation native to the postmodern era. How can we welcome the Millennials as members of our ministry teams?
Create cooperative organizations. Think “us.” In seeing our staff transition from mostly Gen-X to Millennials, I find a higher sense of being together in the work. These young adults focus more on what we can accomplish together as opposed to the tension that can arise from turf wars and ego competition. That’s influenced my language. I speak of “working with” people, not their “working for” me. They respond to open leadership that is inclusive and patient. While I grew up in a time of not trusting “anyone over 30,” today’s young adults seek supportive mentoring relationships with older leaders.
Plan safe risks. Create ways young adults can learn their limitations without placing your organization in peril. Safe risks are situations that won’t sink the organization but offer opportunities for growth and learning.
Young staffers need to know that they are not being evaluated as much for the results as for their ability to understand and work in ways that reflect our mission and values.
One evening when we were sponsoring a concert on campus, two interns were responsible for overseeing admissions, taking pre-sold tickets and selling door tickets. After an early rush of students, they ran out of change. The two, both college graduates, became frustrated and started to turn students away. I was off to the side watching to see how long it would take for the two to realize they could solve the problem in a variety of ways, including having one of them stay at the table while the other went and got money. It was painful to watch students giving up on the concert. But it was a valuable lesson in problem solving and leadership.
Understand the family connection. Previous generations established themselves in their 20s. This group appears to have a new, extended connection with their families. Parents may be significantly involved in decision making and problem solving.
While interviewing student leaders I frequently ask, “If you had 24 hours to be anywhere you wanted with one person and money was not an object, what would you choose?” I am no longer surprised by the number of students who choose to spend their dream day with one of their parents.
Are cell phones the cause of increased connection or simply the tool that facilitates it? I know older students who talk to their parents almost daily, “just keeping in touch.”
Senior students frequently tell me that while they are uncertain what they are going to do after college, they are certain their parents will “support” them. This may mean emotional encouragement of decisions the parents would not choose for their children, or financially supporting them in a prolonged transition or while they undertake full-time volunteer service.
Make it fun. Doing ministry should be a source of shared joy. That is even more important for a fun-loving, entertainment-driven generation. Coordinate activities that enhance a sense of team. Celebrate successes. Remember to reward risk taking.
Our ministry is characterized by a hectic, irregular schedule with long, intense hours. We go out of our way to incorporate fun as part of planning retreats and quarterly team days. We plan lots of recreation at these events, and I encourage times when people shift into extended, relaxed conversations. We will get the job done as needed and enjoy the community experience in the process.
Millennials now comprise half of our college ministry staff team. They will quickly become significant participants and leaders in most ministry settings. This generation’s unique personality will become a dynamic force in tomorrow’s ministry.
Jim Schmotzer directs The INN university ministries of First Presbyterian Church, Bellingham, Washington.
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