Empowering Millennials & Gen Z in your Church
1. Embrace Virtual Engagement
Just because there are less people in the pews, doesn’t mean you are less effective! Virtual is here to stay. Instead of lamenting the fact that people prefer the online option, find ways to lean in to creating effective growth opportunities through virtual platforms. This is more than just converting what you did “in person” to Zoom. How can you effectively leverage virtual platforms for authentic discipleship?
2. Connect Your Purpose with Theirs
Remember that emerged generations are not motivated by money only, and are not interested in giving their lives to build your dream. They are motivated by their dream, and are looking for the connection of their dreams and their engagement in church. If you have young people who are engaged in your church, take the time to learn them. Understanding their dreams will help you to show them how their contribution to the local church fuels their long-term goals.
3. Impactful over Impressive
Millennials and Gen Z have grown up in the social media age where anyone with a smart phone can create a professional looking presentation. This means that they are less impressed with the light show than you are. Actually, they are more inclined to be skeptical of slick-talking preachers and overly polished presentations. Emerged generations are looking for the substance behind the show. Are you active in the community? Are real people’s lives really being changed? Are the leaders authentic?
Note: This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t care about excellence in presentation. It’s both/and.
4. Transparency Builds Trust
Emerged generations are becoming more “spiritual,” but are naturally skeptical of “establishment” or “organized religion.” One way to counteract this is transparency in leadership and systems. Create a culture of transparency by making your people feel human, showing where the money goes, and making leaders accessible.
5. Clear Onramps to Influence
For decades, our churches have held evasive, unending paths to leadership and influence. These mountains towards leadership have felt insurmountable to a generation that is being granted seats at tables of influence outside their churches. Find ways to identify their gifts and modify your systems to give them room to participate. If they feel like you exclude them, they’ll excuse themselves.
At Mantle One Day, we will talk more deeply about empowering emerged generations, and help you strategize a plan that will help your church flourish. Register today to join me and Pastor John K. Jenkins for this strategy session for Pastors.
