This document discusses strategies for attracting Millennials to the church. It notes that Millennials seek change through hope, knowledge, and authenticity. They are more likely than older generations to value social justice causes and see churches as not focusing enough on serving the common good. Effective strategies for Millennials include peer-to-peer invitations, mentoring programs that value rapid knowledge sharing, and using digital tools and social media to engage them. Authenticity, social causes, and technology are keys to attracting Millennials.

1. Millennials and the Church
America’s largest generation seeks change through
hope, knowledge, and authenticity.

2. 1. Gain an understanding of the 4 adult
generations interacting today and what
makes each important to your church
and business
2. What do Millennials think about Church
and Religion and what does that mean?
3. Develop a plan for attracting and
marketing to Millennials

3. 1st time in US History!

7. • Important events included:
– The Great Depression
– WWII
– Disney releases it’s first animated feature (Snow
White)
– The Korean War
– Sputnik went into Orbit
You might be a veteran if…
• You have the ability to entertain yourself without
a TV, in fact you remember the days before TV
• Popular Technology: Radio

12. Veterans
Assets: Experience, enhanced knowledge, dedication, focus,
loyalty, stability, emotional maturity, perseverance
Possible issues: Reluctant to buck the system, uncomfortable with
conflict, may want to keep things the way they are
Messages that Motivate: “Your experience is respected here”
Rewards: Tangible symbols of loyalty, commitment, and service
including plaques and certificates
Methods of Communication: Memos, letters and personal notes

14. • Important events included:
– Man walks on the Moon
– Civil Rights
– Woodstock
– Deaths of JFK and Martin Luther King
– Vietnam War begins
You might be a Boomer if you can complete these
sentences…
• When the Beatles first came to the U.S. in early 1964,
we all watched them on the ______show
• "Get your kicks, ________________”
• Popular Technology: Television

20. Baby Boomers
Assets: Service orientation, dedication, team perspective,
experience, knowledge
Possible issues: May put process ahead of results
Messages that Motivate: “We need you”, “ Your opinion is valued”
Rewards: personal appreciation, promotion, and recognition
Methods of Communication: phone calls, personal interaction

22. • Important events:
– The Cold War (remember getting under your desk?)
– Challenger Shuttle Explodes on Takeoff
– Berlin Wall Dismantled
– Fall of Communism in Eastern Europe
– U.S. Troops go to Persian Gulf for the 1st time
– AIDS Identified
You might be a Gen Xer if…
• Schoolhouse Rock played a HUGE part in how you
actually learned the English language.
– I know what a Bill (sittin’ up on Capital Hill) is thanks to that
show!!
Popular Technology: Computers

27. Generation X
Assets: Adaptability, techno-literacy, independence, creativity,
willingness to buck the system
Possible issues: Skeptical, may distrust authority
Messages that Motivate: “Do it your way”, “there aren’t a lot of
rules around here”
Rewards: Free time, opportunities for development, certifications
to add to their resumes
Methods of Communication: Voice mail, email

29. • Important Events:
– Death of Princess Diana
– Death of Mother Teresa
– Columbine
– 9/11
– World Trade Center Attacks
– War begins in Iraq for a 2nd time
You might be a Millennial if…
• Blog, Facebook, IMing, text messaging, and other
social media are a regular part of your daily life
• Popular Technology: The internet, cell phones

35. Millennials
Assets: Collective action, optimism, ability to multi-task, and
technologically savvy
Possible issues: Need for supervision and structure, inexperience-
particularly when dealing with difficult people
Messages that Motivate: “Your work makes a huge difference
here”
Rewards: Awards, certificates, tangible evidence of credibility
Methods of Communication: texting, instant messaging,

37. Older generations are more likely to:
• attend worship services weekly
• prefer traditional styles of music in worship
services
• spend regular time in private devotional activity
• have a strong sense of belonging to their
denomination
• be involved in church-based community service,
justice or welfare activities
• be involved in community-based service, care or
welfare activities

38. Younger generations are more likely to:
• be involved in small groups
• prefer contemporary styles of music in worship
services
• feel that their gifts and skills are encouraged
• have helped others in a range of informal ways
• value outreach, be involved in evangelistic
activities, and actually invite others to church
• be newcomers to church life, have switched
denominations or transferred congregations in
the previous five years

39. • Form generational groups
• Brainstorm 5 positive and 5 negative characteristics
of other generations (Veterans, Baby Boomers, Gen X,
Millennials) Write them on the note cards
• Create a list of what you don’t understand about
other generations approach to work.
– Bring cards to front when finished
• Within your group, do the characteristics written
accurately describe you?
– Choose a spokesperson to explain your answer

40. • Looking for meaningful work
• Seeking challenge
• Chance to prove themselves and show they can
perform well
• Enjoys contact with people
• Desire to be in a position of responsibility
• Resents being looked at as though they have no
experience
• Tends to be more job mobile
• Less respectful of authority
Who does this describe?

41. Training and Development Journal
Sorry Boomers, the other generations in the workforce
didn’t like you when you started working!
Every generation that enters the workforce makes waves!

42. Every generation that enters the workforce makes waves!

44. What Make’s Millennials Different?

48. 94% of Millennials state they
respect older generations

50. Statistically Speaking…
• Young adults today are less church-connected
than prior generations were when they were
in their 20s. (65% rarely attend church)
• Millennials are just about as spiritual as their
parents and grandparents were at those ages.
(72% believe they are more spiritual than
religious)
• Millennials are significantly more likely than
young adults in earlier generations to say they
don’t identify with any religious group.

52. young people are thirsting for social justice, and
simply not finding those principles in the pews.
They are seeking a place of creativity and critical thinking,
and a space free from judgment.

54. What Does this Mean
for your Church?

57. According to research, Millennials feel that churches should “focus their engagement
on actions that serve the common good or speak up for the oppressed rather than
opposing a controversial issue because of theological objections.”

60. Deeper
TRUTH

66. Mentoring Program
Purpose
Value
Mentors/Advisors
Design
Method
Baby Boomer Run
Career Advancement
Mentee/learner gains understanding and skills
People with higher status and knowledge
One-to-one mentoring: Long-term relationships
Face-to-face
Millennial-Run
Primary Learning
Rapid dissemination of knowledge
Anyone with knowledge the learner needs
Networked relationships: Time determined by needs
Virtual
Know What Millennials think of
Mentoring!
Mentoring
Matters!
98% of Millennials believe working with a mentor is a
necessary component in development.
PowerhouseCoopers Global CEO Survey cited in “If You Want to Retain
Your Best Young Workers, Give Them a Mentor Instead of Cash Bonuses”
by Vivian Giang, July 2011

73. Peer to Peer Invitations
About twice as many people are willing to
volunteer if a peer invites them, but the church
is still relying on events (like Sunday services) to
encourage serving.
In fact, 81 percent of Millennials prefer to be
invited by a friend while only 43 percent would
prefer to be invited through an event.

74. Engaging Millennials
www.mymobilechurch.com
www.robocent.com

82. Jennifer Fisher
jenniferlfisher@live.com
Download this presentation from:
Twitter: Jenfisherfw
Blog: www.generationalsoup.com
www.walkingwitheli.com