I believe I have stumbled upon the secret to attracting the attention of Millennials. I recently attended a conference that involved spiritual leaders of congregations all over the US. Some small, some medium and at least one mega congregation. At a panel discussion the moderator asked questions designed toward the “Future of the Church.” The panel consisted of a former pastor age about 80, a professor at a seminary (just past Millennial age), a director of discipleship at the mega church, (also just past Millennial age) and a fourth panel member was a YMCA chaplain and professional speaker in his 50’s. The latter three were also are authors and speakers. The moderator was the founder of a large provider of church educational materials—in his sixties.
I wanted to give you the flavor of the setting. The attendees were averaging in their 50’s; searching for ways to grow their churches and wondering HOW as 70-80 percent of Millennials don’t attend their services anymore and their congregations are shrinking like the polar ice caps.
As our team was invited observers, we listened intently. The guy in his 50’s told great stories. The older gentleman relived the past (painfully so). The just past Millennial age lady and gentleman, who are experts in Millennial outreach, hit the bullseye with their observations. The target audience was nowhere to be found in the audience; this is to say, people were in their chairs, but the messages of relevance were not penetrating the old shells. This was the “good ole boys” network; from moderator to half the panel and most attendees.
G.K. Chesterton said “The chief object of education is not to learn things but to unlearn things.” This is the dilemma we face as aging pastors and spiritual leaders in the US, 70 percent of whose churches will close in the next five years due to reduced activity, and who are actively searching for other means of income outside of their ministries, are just NOT that teachable as to the Millennial outreach.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not a doomsayer. I have great HOPE because in our partnership with the most relevant voices in the world regarding Millennials; we have solutions to connecting Millennials and their spirituality with their daily walk, and religion as they see it.
AS THEY SEE IT, is the key. The aging pastoral generations want change, but a failure to unlearn keeps them the same with their congregations dwindling. So this message is about UNLEARNING in order to have a chance at a wonderful and growing relationship with the tribes we call Millennials.
Many believe you can’t teach old dogs new tricks because unlearning is like breaking concrete with a toothpick. Many want change but are unwilling to unlearn the past (which might not work anymore) and adopt new tools that will be effective (power tools rather than toothpicks).
Another reason unlearning is sooo difficult is that it’s often easier to keep doing the same thing rather than to embrace new ways of thinking. I invite pastors and leaders to focus FIRST on themselves. Unlearn so that you might be open to learning the language of Millennials, which is actually beautiful and sweet.
Below are some ideas to start you learning and unlearning some key items that might change your world. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to tip the balance toward implementing things that build, uplift, empower, and support the Millennials in their quest to change the world for the better; and to begin unlearning things that damage your relationships with Millennials.
