I have talked to many sincere honest spiritually-minded millennial young people that are disgusted with modern churches. They have the most finely-honed sense of honesty and reality of any group of people ever in the history of the universe. They have been researched and targeted by modern advertising techniques since they were toddlers. Therefore, they have had to learn to navigate in a world that is trying to trap them, control them, and exploit them. They can spot hypocrisy and pandering instantly. Don’t even try to fool them.
I admit right up front, I don’t have the answers. This is an open letter to all millennials. Help me understand. Help me meet your needs. Write to me anonymously or type a comment below. Let me know what you think.
Most churches are driving millennials away
Most modern churches are not meeting their needs. Big buildings don’t impress them. They have grown up with CGI and AI. Scheduled events don’t attract them. They are too used to clicking, searching, and finding their answers instantly at any time of day. Long sermons don’t hold them. They are too used to short podcasts. Youth ministers don’t inspire them. Millennials can’t tolerate the fake street cred and try-too-hard to have hip attitudes. The music doesn’t reach them. They don’t want the flashy concert-style worship services. Consider this popular video about a Contemporvant Worship Service.
What would a millennial revival look like?
Just like the Jesus Revolution of the 60’s didn’t look like anything that came before it, the millennial revival won’t look like anything that came before it. In fact, it might not be distinguishable until well after it has happened.
When I consider the millennial lifestyle, I think a millennial revival would have to meet these criteria. What do you think?
- It would be real, genuine, and raw.
Not fake, processed, and cleaned. - It would be instantaneous, spontaneous, and fleeting,
Not scheduled, predicted, and permanent. - It would be random, unpredictable, and messy.
Not scripted, programmed, and orderly. - It would be truthful, discoverable, and factual.
Not mythical, dogmatic, and traditional. - It would have tolerance, disagreement, and differences,
Not prejudice, disapproval, and discrimination. - It would ___________________________________.
Not ___________________________________.
Some things are non-negotiables: the Bible, Jesus Christ, the gospel, fellowship, accountability. Because Satan, death, and hell are real and sin, evil, and self-righteousness are things. What does the rest look like?