Leadership Journal

Ten years ago, I switched from multi-generational ministry in a local congregation to a ministry with college students. I found myself, a mid-life baby boomer, ministering with a staff of Generation X-ers. As I adjusted to this change, a new shift happened. The college students were suddenly part of a new generation, the Millennials.

Born after 1980, they were school age when the new millennium began.

I became a boomer leading X-ers to serve Millennials. Now that Millennials are joining our staff team, some of the changes they bring are refreshing.

Young adults are frequently the front line for many ministries. They are often the ones providing direct oversight of children and youth, leading activities, greeting guests, and much more. Who is this new generation, and how can we best work with them?

The Millennials experienced most of their formative growth in the 1990s. Children of economic prosperity, busy two-income or single-parent households, they spent much of their time in structured, adult-led settings. David Brooks named this group the "organization kids" (Atlantic Monthly, April 2001), from daycare to arranged play dates to select teams, these aren't latchkey kids; this group has been guided and kept "safe." Some dominant traits of Millennials:

High self-esteem. This generation has been bombarded with positive messages. They have been told they can do or be anything they want. They are optimistic, self-reliant, braced for change. When younger they may have been on a soccer team, gone 0-10, but still they had a banquet and everyone got a trophy.

This can create the problem of overconfidence; they believe they can tackle any opportunity, but may lack the maturity needed for critical decision making and problem solving. Theirs is a positive can-do attitude. At times, it seems, they all want to be leaders.

Community focused. They think, relate, and live in groups. Sometimes this is referred to as "tribalism." Their groups are highly accepting and affirming. They enjoy the sense of coordinated efforts and shared experiences. They think in terms of "us" as opposed to "me." When I ask students how our ministry helps them, the overwhelming answer is the connection with others.

A world without boundaries. Today's youngest adults have a global, multi-ethnic, multicultural view of the world. Through technology and the media, this generation has developed a perception that they understand the world, and they desire to experience it. This results in high mobility, even globally. Beyond physical borders, the culture has created the sense that the world has few spiritual or even moral borders. Tolerance is highly valued; the young people coming of age today assume that such openness is a good thing. This can create tensions resulting in growing theological complexities.

Entertainment driven. Millennials are "mediavores"—they consume media. Entertainment drives their free time and their values.

A student intern with limited income asked ...