Making Disciples of Millennials

I finished reading another book over the weekend about how the church makes disciples of the millennials. Churches so want to reach the next generation – and usually for very pure, very biblical reasons. Church leaders today talk about a clearer vision. The books speak about understanding who we are trying to reach and better targeting our efforts, about developing a stronger web presence, and creating opportunities to build disciples in the process. Many say that the church needs a new vision.

I am not opposed to changing methods. But maybe we are trying to make the simple too complicated.

Go ye therefore into

The college campus, like Indiana University Southeast or Jefferson Community College or the University of Louisville.

The places to hang out – piano bars, pizza places, coffee shops.

The webbed world of social media – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat

The world … into their world

Jesus did. He met Nicodemus at quiet place at night, a Samaritan woman around noon at a well, and Nathaniel in a brief encounter with a friend. Jesus met disciples Peter and John at their fishing boats. He was often accused of meeting in the homes of publicans and sinners. He traveled to the home of Zacchaeus. People didn’t invite their friends to the synagogue; they invited friends to meet Jesus.

And make disciples

We have such a problem with this one. We believed for years that discipleship starts when the person commits their life to Christ or transfers their membership to a local church. But the millennials weren’t coming to church on their own. So we changed the church. Louder, more relevant music. Sermons that didn’t preach. No church talk. Jesus for sixth graders. After all, the millennials are unchurched. We can finally begin to make them disciples.

Unchurched by our definition. Six months without attending a service. They may not attend, but they are not ignorant. Of church words, standards, morals. or of hypocrisy. They have complete freedom for the first time and aren’t compelled to go to a church service. Because it doesn’t really help them with life. Not eternity life, but today life. Going to church doesn’t write a term paper, help them study for a test, or catch them up on their sleep. For sure going to church doesn’t help them meet people their own age.

Isn’t it ironic that the real unchurched ARE on the college campuses and in the piano bars and on social media. These unchurched are a bit older than the millennials. They are professors on the campuses, entertainers in the bars, bloggers on websites, videographers on YouTube, Twitter or Instagram. You will find them from other countries seeking freedom, opportunity, a future. These folks are from next door seeking fame and fortune.

Build a relationship, then you can make a disciple

Making disciples is not submitting to a program.

Discipleship is a relationship. Jesus had it with His disciples.

Invite the millennial to a relationship, not with the church, but with you. They are alone in a crowd. Often they find themselves away from family – sometimes distanced by miles, sometimes by alienation, sometimes by learning to spread their own wings. The millennials are on a budget – often with no visible means of support. They are trying to find meaning in life – and they aren’t always sure how to look for meaning.

Invite the millennial to a reality, not a religion. Religion conjures up thoughts of structure and rigid standards. Religion is people judging their hair, their dress, their tattoos, their friends. They so want a reality that accepts them. We all do. They are willing to look almost anywhere to find one. Don’t talk down. They have access to more information, technology and knowledge than any other generation. Ever. Don’t water down the standards. But make sure the standards are biblical and not interpretations. Let the Bible speak where it speaks, then you won’t have to.

Offer to fix the millennial a home-cooked meal, because it’s been months since they had one. Take the millennial out to lunch because they have no money. Invite the millennial to a Christian concert for they want someplace to go. Fill their gas tank. Bring them cookies for no reason. Pray for them when they take their exams. Speak to them when you see them. Show them that Jesus teaches to love and to accept, and that you understand His teachings.

Teaching them

We do this backwards, don’t we? You can become a Christian if you know enough of the right things. So we make you sit in a seeker’s class, or watch a video explaining what it really means to be a Christian. We teach them, often not knowing them, so they can become a Christian.

A person can be taught when they trust the teacher. Because the teacher is a professor and gives a grade. Perhaps the teacher is a celebrity and has a platform. Maybe the teacher is trending on social media.

Or it could be that the teacher has earned the trust by first knowing them. Where they hang out. What they like. Who they admire. What they want to be – not when they grow up, but right now.

Becoming a Christian begins with a really simple concept – For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son. Simple enough that one younger than a millennial can understand. “Jesus loves me, this I know.” Simple enough that a Baby Boomer can understand. “Jesus is all the world to me; my life, my joy, my all.”

Once a person knows Jesus, we are commissioned to teach them. Teach them to observe the things that Jesus commanded. Grow and deepen their faith by teaching them about faith and its heroes. Teach them to build relationships with others so they in turn can disciple others.

And, lo, I am with you

Isn’t that what we want in a relationship? For the person not to leave. We are so used to the person leaving. Parents divorce. Good friends get mad. Girl friends find someone better. Boy friends are enticed by what they don’t have. The business can’t afford us anymore. People want something that will last. Many are afraid to get too close because chances are the person will eventually leave.  And we know who will be the one who gets hurt.

Talk about good news! Jesus doesn’t leave. With us. Always.

Maybe the church doesn’t need a new vision. Maybe she needs to be obedient to the one she already has (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV).