MEN’S MINISTRY FOR MILLENNIALS Major Don Gilger Men’s Ministry Secretary USA West

What is a Millennial? Millennials are the generation following Generation X. There are no precise dates when the generation starts and ends but the most trusted sources use 1984 to As of 2012, it is estimated that there are approximately 80 million U.S. Millennials. William Strauss and Neil Howe predicted Millennials will become more like the "civic-minded" G.I. generation with a strong sense of community both local and global. In 2014, the Pew Research Center issued a report in March 2014 about how "Millennials in adulthood" are "detached from institutions and networked with friends.“ The report says Millennials are somewhat more upbeat than older adults about America’s future, with 49% of Millennials saying the country’s best years are ahead though they're the first in the modern era to have higher levels of student loan debt and unemployment.

Are Millennial’s Religious? In the United States Millennials are less likely to practice organized religion than older generations, and are more likely to be skeptical of religious institutions. While the majority of American Millennials are religious, one in three is irreligious, continuing a trend towards irreligion that has been increasing since the 1940s. A 2005 study looked at 1,385 people aged 18 to 25 and found that more than half of those in the study said that they pray regularly before a meal. One-third said that they discussed religion with friends, attended religious services, and read religious material weekly. Twenty-three percent of those studied did not identify themselves as religious practitioners. A Pew Research Center study on Millennials shows that of those between 18–29 years old, only 3% of these emerging adults self-identified as "atheists" and only 4% self-identified as "agnostics". Overall, 25% of Millennials are "Nones" and 75% are religiously affiliated.

How to reach Millennials for Christ? Here are three significant ways in which churches can effectively reach and retain Millennials: 1. Be Contemporary and Culturally Engaged The first clear pattern among churches that are reaching millennials is that they tend to be more contemporary. They are engaged with culture and are aware of societal trends, helping young adults think through their context with discerning, biblical eyes. The overall trend is millennials being reached by contemporary churches, and though there are always counter trends and exceptions, that's the general rule. I know the fact I list this will bother some, but it's just a statistical reality.

How to reach Millennials for Christ? 2. Be Authentic The second feature of churches who are effectively reaching Millennials is authenticity, a characteristic that many of those Millennials felt was not as present in churches of the Baby Boomer era. They often desire a different kind of leadership, one that is more open and transparent. They often preferred preaching from weakness and sharing struggles of life and faith, approaches that pastors were taught not to do in generations past. Many Millennials are searching for a safe place where pastors, leaders, and others share their own struggles and everyone can share their sinful issues without being ostracized. Authentically sharing without condemnation is a significant point of connection.

How to reach Millennials for Christ? 3. Care for the Hurting Millennials want to serve their neighbor locally, nationally, and globally. Churches that are engaging Millennials are often known for caring for the marginalized, the hurting, and the outcasts. These churches are focused on reaching others in need. Some call it the Bono-ization of our culture, a term coined after humanitarian efforts led by Bono, the lead singer of U2. This focus among millennials is a good thing and is a rediscovering of the totality of the mission Jesus gave us.

How to reach Millennials for Christ? Where Do We Start? There is no one Millennial. No one can say, "This is what Millennials think" or "All Millennials are this." One of the best ways to find out how to reach Millennials is to get to know them. Talk with those in their twenties and early thirties. Discover their likes and dislikes. Ask for their input. Actually befriend them. Lets look at the MAN UP Website and see if we can build a Men’s Ministry that will reach this generation.

Case Study “Your Corps has twenty men from the age of 20 to 40. Using the MAN UP Website how could you build a Men’s Ministry that would interest and engage them.” Step One - Talk with them. Ask them what they would like to see in a Men’s Ministry. Follow their advice. Step Two – Programming needs to involve service to the marginalized. Look at Meals at the local shelter, EDS and ARC visits as a way to serve. These must be well planned and effective as this generation is short on time and attention. Step Three – Bible studies must be culturally engaged and you as the leader must be open and transparent in your sharing. Step Four – One area of global service is Missions. Get them involved in a project overseas. Step Five – Communicate using Social Media and texts. This generation is very tech savvy and will respond to contact.