Post on 25-Feb-2016
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Reaching the Millennial GenerationFaith Spelbring, DCEManager, Regional Outreach ConferencesLutheran Hour Ministries
Reaching the Millennial Generation
Know Your Audience
Serve Your Audience
Know Your AudiencePew Forum Millennial Generation Study
UCLA Higher Education Research Institute Study
Pew Forum StudyThe Millennial Generation
o Highest % of college students compared to other generations at this age
o Very shelteredo Very structured time
Pew Forum StudyThe Millennial Generation
o 38% of Millennials are tattooed:
o Millennials want everyone to fit ino They identify themselves as “liberal” and are
more sympathetic to immigrants, homosexuals, etc.WITH ONE EXCEPTION!!!
Pew Forum Study
Pew Forum StudyThe 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 StudyThe Millennial Generation
o Result:o Confidence in self, confident in economic
future...o Ethic of team worko They respect previous generationso Hang out the only way they can… online!
Pew Forum StudyThe 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 StudyThe Millennial Generation
o Biggest predictor of leaving the faith is interreligious mix of parents
o Raised by boomers (seekers)
Pew Forum StudyThe Millennial Generation
o Until 20 years ago, “young” meant that you were attracted to evangelical churches
Not anymore!
UCLA StudyHigher Education Research Institute
The Spiritual Life of College Students
A National Study of College Students’ Search for Meaning and Purpose
o 112,232 incoming freshmen studentso 236 colleges and universitieso Six-page survey
UCLA StudyHigh levels of spiritual interest and
involvement:o 3/4 searching for meaning/purpose in lifeo >3/4 believe in godo >2/3 agree religious/spiritual beliefs provide
them with strength, support, and guidanceo 4/5 have attended religious services in past
yearo 4/10 say it is essential or very important to
follow religious teaching in everyday life
o ¾ feel a sense of connection with God/Higher Power that transcends personal self
o 56% perceive God as love or creatoro 49% experience God as protectoro 44% have felt loved by God in the past year
High levels of spiritual interest and involvement:o>2/3 prayo 61% weekly
o 28% dailyo 68% for loved oneso 59% gratitudeo 58% forgivenesso 58% solve problems
UCLA Study
UCLA Study“Despite their strong religious commitment, students also demonstrate a high level of religious tolerance and acceptance.”o64% agree most people can grow spiritually without being religiouso63% disagree that people who don’t believe in God will be punished
UCLA StudyStudent idealism:o 63% say helping others who are in difficulty is
essential or very importanto 55% say reducing pain and suffering in the
world is essential or very important
Act on ideas:o 82% performed volunteer work in high schoolo 70% say they are trying to change things that
are unfair in the world
UCLA StudyStudent Doubtso 65% occasionally felt distant from godo 57% question their beliefso 48% have felt angry with godo 52% disagree with families about religious
matters
Meet Your Audience
Serve Your Audienceo Get to know the Millennials in your life
o Learn about themo Learn what they are being taughto Learn what they think of the church
o Meaningful involvemento Build around their passionso Build them into leadership
o Challenge themo Serious study of God’s Wordo Sharing their faith
Serve Your Audienceo Getting to know Millennials
o Take them out for coffeeo Group dinnerso Adopt a student programo Take a class on campuso Evaluate ministry and act on
what they say
Serve Your Audienceo Meaningful involvement
o Service opportunitieso Community Service – in areas of interest for them
o Park/beach clean upo Plant trees
o Mission trip – in areas of interest for themo Mexicoo New Orleanso Haiti
o Leadership roleso Lead mission project – for the whole church!o Church council?o Shepherd the next generation
Serve Your Audienceo What services can you offer
o Marriageo Parentingo Financeso Saving for Retirement
o How can we use technology to reach them?o Twitter/Facebooko Images/Videoo Text
Serve Your Audienceo Challenge them
o Learn about other religionso Evangelism training
Serve Your Audienceo Love the Millennials in your life!o Offer them what no one else will…Jesus!
Reaching the Millennial Generation
Thank you!