CHRISTIAN MILLENNIALS Shattering Perceptions
Taylor Power
Table of Contents Introduction
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Why It Matters
4-5
Shattered Preceptions
6-7
Outsider Perspective (non-millennial)
8-9
Millennials’ Perspectives
10-21
Conclusion & Themes
22-23
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO MADE THIS POSSIBLE.
INTRODUCTION Within these pages, you will come across many differ-
ent and unique millennials. The one commonality they have is their belief in Jesus. Each of these individuals are Christians, and the point of this magazine is to
shatter perceptions that surround Christian millenni-
als, whether those perceptions are held by others, the church, or Christian millennials themselves. If Jesus
is who He claims to be, then this is of the upmost importance. As you flip the pages, you will get to read about Christian millennials, and why they are still in the church.
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“In a few years, Christian Millennials will be the ones carrying the Church.�
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WHY IT MATTERS If it does not matter, there is no point in flipping the
pages. It does matter though, and here is why. If the Bible is true, then it greatly impacts our lives far beyond the realm of this life. In a few years, Christian
millennials will be the ones carrying the church. They matter because they directly impact the outcome of
the church as a whole. The church cannot forgot any generation. If the Bible is true, it must be passed on throughout every generation.
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Negative Perceptions:
1. Christians are the biggest hypocrites 2. Christianity is not relevant anymore
3. Christian Millennials are non-committal 4. Christian Millennials lack respect (there are plenty more, but we will focus on these 4)
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SHATTERED
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The Gospel came to save the sick not the righteous. There are hypocritcal Christians, but that is not and cannot be a representation of God. We are called to love others regardless, and love does not mean agree. “We can shatter perceptions by having a consistent attiude of love towards everyone” - Jacob Hill
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2.H T E E S A T R D 3. If the Gospel was ever relevant, then it is relevant today, tomorrow, and forever. This is what Christians belief, and it is out of this relevance they should share the Gospel in love. “If it is not relevant now, then it would have never been relevant in the past.” - Akeem Robinson This perception is more from the church. Millennials hop around, and I would say that this is fairly true. While this may be the case, millennials do stay if they can be rooted in a purpose. “Millennials need to stay long enough to see the value of staying planted in one church.”- Nate Drake
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H T E E 4. S A T R D This perception is from the church. Millennials simply want leadership that will walk with them. “Walk with me and invest in me. I’ll listen.” - Carmen Pacheco
OUTSIDER PERSPECTIVE (Non-millennial Christian)
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“Really, really love His word, and love others well. Stay busy doing that, and we will be good.”
Kelly Davidson has worked with Christian millennials for at least seven years. She is genuinely interested in bringing millennials in and cares to understand their generation. The church and millennials can often clash. The term “Millennial” does not always carry positive connotations. Davidson says, “Millennials are weary of the label.” The term is fine, but the stereotypes surrounding “Millennials” cannot define an entire generation. From Davidson’s perspective, millennials are creative, original, and educated. These are all great things that could positivily impact the church. Davidson compels millennials to jump in, be the church, and be teachable.
KELLY DAVIDSON
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Angela Saenz is a middle school teacher and loves what she does. She is also very involved in church and has been a Christian since childhood. Her faith is apparent in how she lives day to day. Millennial Christians are seeking community. Angela says, “We are so connected technologically that it gives the appearance of community.” Community is needed for millennials, and churches can help create that. The church can bridge the community gap by caring for millennials and coming alongside of them. This is extremely important since millennials will carry the church one day.
“Believers come in all shapes and sizes. We aren’t cookie-cutter.”
ANGELA SAENZ
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“It’s relevant because it’s the only thing that fixes what society is seeking to fix.” (referring to the Gospel)
“Being a Christian is about surrendering your life to the person and redemptive works of Jesus Christ.”
Nate has worked in the church for five years. He believes that the church and Christians both have parts to play. Millennials and the church should be working together.
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NATE DRAKE
“We need to live out rather than just say out.” “We are not always right. We need to listen to wisdom from older generations.” “The church can understand our generation without negelecting biblical doctrine.” Santiago has been involved in church ministries for a long time. He believes that the churches are competing too much. The Gospel is not a competition. It is a way of life. People are radically transformed with the Bible.
SANTIAGO BETANCUR
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“I want to glorify God from smiling to loving someone.” “As Christians, our actions should display that we have a relationship with Christ.” “Community. For sure community. There is such a lack of it in our generation.” (what millennials want)
Bri has led in many church ministries. She loves Jesus, and it is extremely noticable. She believes that the leadership in church needs to care about millennials. This could make a difference.
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BRI FOLEY
“Churches try to be too cool, too cute. Just be real.” “This matters because the Gospel is always relevant.” “We can shatter perceptions by having a consistent attitude of love towards everyone.” Jacob is apart of a ministry that focuses on millennials. He left the church, then came back. Once he knew people cared about him, he chose to stay.
JACOB HILL
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Josh and Audrey are parents to four little ones. They are not your typical millennials, but they still fit the bill. They are a Christian family that strives after Christ. The most important thing for them is still community and that their kids grow up knowing and loving Jesus. Josh said, “I want to be surrounded by people who share my same beliefs. A place where we can come together and know each other.” Community is at the heart of many millennials’ wants. Even with a family, community can be the thing millennials are seeking for the most. Audrey says, “I want stability in my church.” Millennials want a place that they can call home.
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JOSH & AUDREY POWER
“Don’t fall into moral relativism. This is where distance from the church starts.” “We need to prioritize love over winning an argument.” “When we are going through a quarter existential crisis, the church sometimes isn’t willing to step up.” Jessica is a leader in a ministry that focuses on college students and young professionals aka millennials. She believes that millennials need to handle problems bibically and not as a reason to leave the church.
JESSICA CREECH
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JAKE WILLIAMS & SARAH SIMON Jake and Sarah are an engaged couple. They are both followers of Christ and live to serve Him well. They believe millennials want leadership that leads by example. They also believe that millennials are seeking a place to call home. They want a place where they feel connected. Millennials want family.
“Millennials want social activism without political stumping. They want less programming and more organically risen church activities. They want pastors and leadership who lead by example. They want a church that is rooted and has a sense of place but also a global focus. They want simple, and they want ownership.” “The only difference between generation to generation is the battles we face, but honestly the battles just have a new name or face.”
“Modern church has lost a lot of accountability by tailoring to people’s feelings.” “Christianity is direct opposition to the world. That’s what it has always been.” “Everything in today’s world is mimicking connection, but we want the real thing.” Akeem became a Christian in college, and his voice speaks to those that might not have grown up in the church. Jesus is not learned. Christianity is a genuine relationship with Jesus.
AKEEM ROBINSON
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“I want leadership to walk with me.” “No one wants to be alone. People want community. They want friendship, and that is what the body of Christ is for.” “All Truth should be said in love.”
Carmen is a middle school teacher who loves Jesus. She has a desire for community to be experienced by all millennials. People want to know that they matter.
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CARMEN PACHECO
“True Christian millennials are passionate and care for the world.” “Millennials want a place they can serve and be effective for the Kingdom.” “Millennials can be empowered to live out their faith if they are treated more like adults by the church.” Aaron is a leader in a college and young professional ministry. He knows the desires that Christian millennials have. They want a purpose. They want to be a part of something.
AARON HEDGEMAN
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CONCLUSION My goal in this was to give some names to a problem. A problem where negative perceptions are coming true for some Christians and to the world. A problem where the church needs to step up, and a problem where Christian millennials need to start acting like Christians. By no means am I calling out one side of this paradigm, millennials and the church both play equal parts. This is to benefit the body of Christ, not just the millennials of Christianity. And above all of that, this is to benefit that the Gospel being preached is being acted in our everyday lives by both the church and Christian millennials. That is the only way to shatter negative perceptions. My goal is not to rid the world of negative perceptions because the Bible tells us that the world will hate us. My goal is to ensure that these negative perceptions are not affecting others from knowing the Truth. The Truth that Jesus came to save all and that he does love us.
Overall, I found three themes that stuck out in each interview. Christian millennials long for community, leadership that cares to know them, and a vital purpose in the Kingdom.
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THEMES
COMMUNITY
In this generation, we have many friends and followers but lack community. “We are so connected technologically that it gives the appearance of community.” - Angela Saenz “Millennials are searching for a sense of family when they come to church. They want community.” - Sarah Simon
LEADERSHIP
Millennials want leadership that cares, and people who are willing to walk in their shoes. “They want pastors and leadership who lead by example.” - Jake Williams “We want leaders or are authentic and open with us.” - Akeem Robinson
PURPOSE
Christian millennials want a purpose. A reason to belong and stay. “They want a place they can be effective.” - Aaron Hedgeman
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He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose. - Jim Elliot Your life as a Christian should make non believers question their disbelief. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither. - C.S. Lewis The measure of life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation. - Corrie ten Boom