Whether you are a younger leader trying to better understand the generations that have gone before us, or you’re a more experienced leader attempting to engage with the next generation, it’s easy to become intimidated or threatened by those who are in other generations. Here’s nine questions that have the potential to bring intergenerational insight to your leadership:
1. Why do you think churches have struggled to minister to young adults?
There are several reasons and I’ve blogged about this in detail before… but I’ll share four of them here:
· Observation vs. Participation. When a younger generation can start a company, non-profit, or be an executive team leader at their job – why can’t they lead at a high capacity around your church?
· An emphasis on programs over people. Programs are great opportunities but do the people have their place? It’s the people who should be our focus. Ministry is very much a people profession.
· Inward focus instead of outward. You can’t spell gospel without go! Do we expect them to come to us? What if instead were willing to go to them?
· People’s experience is judgmental instead of accepting. Rejection is more bitter than acceptance is sweet. Instead of being judgmental, we can be known for what Christians are for, not what they are against! This is a massive opportunity for us as the church.
2. When young adults visit your church, does anyone notice them?
One of the toughest things to do is to try to open a door that’s shut. When young adults visit your church, does anyone notice them? Are they welcomed? Do they get invited out to lunch? Are they introduced to others in the community? Will they be inclined to return?
I know a church in Central Minnesota where the pastor and his wife have had over 3,000 guests visit their home for a meal. Every month, they open a dinner invite to anyone who has recently visited the church. What I’m saying is you as the leader have an opportunity to set the tone, recruit a team around you to host a welcome center for visitors at the church to connect at, rally the troops of staff and volunteers to have a next steps system or follow up process.
3. Will new methods of ministry be needed in the future of the church?
I love what Andy Stanley says: “Marry the mission. Date the model.” This is so important because the message and mission of the gospel are unchanging, yet our effectiveness as leaders’ hinges on contextualizing adaptable models. This is a fun one. Go to the prayer room, grab a cup of good coffee, and dream a bit!
4. Is your default to address or avoid certain issues in the church?
A lot of leaders back away from questions and challenges. I’m suggesting that we as leaders tackle tough topics. This doesn’t mean you’re required to have all the solutions or the answers. But a willingness to get comfortable having uncomfortable conversations is something that is going to help minister to an unchurched generation that is asking questions the church isn’t answering.
If your default is to address – how can you listen more?
If your normal approach would be to avoid – how can you ask questions or start the conversations?
5. Who are you personally discipling right now?
It can be easy to think that the easy fix is hiring a next gen pastor or young adult ministry leader. And for some churches, that is the next right step. However, starting by looking in the mirror and answering this question personally is key. We can’t ask followers to do what we are unwilling to do as leaders and reaching the next generation for Christ is an all-hands-on deck call!
6. What would be some healthy ways to measure success?
Historically, or especially pre-COVID – a lot of us measured success in attendance and audience size. If not that metric, it may have been more feeling based or anecdotal: like applause, approval, and/or affirmation. And who could blame us? A full room feels more exciting than an empty room.
In the new normal now, how can we define what the bullseye for your church ministry or organization? What it success? What is failure? Remember, a full room doesn’t equal success and an empty room doesn’t equal failure. Your worth as a leader is not defined by the size of ministry you are leading!
7. Have you found yourself intimidated by the younger generations? Or the older generations?
I think it’s normal to be intimated by what we don’t understand and by who we don’t know yet. While it’s great to be up to date on the latest Barna research, more generational generalizations aren’t always what we need. More relationships are, though! Trust me, you can be secure in who you are. God did not place you on planet earth at the wrong time or in the wrong generation. It may help you to view people as individuals with names, faces, and stories instead of broad categories.
8. How do you define what age is a young adult in your community?
The missing generation in most churches today is college students, young professionals, and young couples. For us, we define young adults as 18–30-year olds. Others say 18-22, or 18-25, or event twentysomethings. Having a working definition will help people know when they visit your website if this is an event or ministry they feel comfortable participating in.
9. Who is one person you could take under your wing?
My prayer for every reader and leader is that God would illuminate at least one name of one young adult who you can invest in. It might be that passionate worship leader, a brand-new believer, or someone who you’ve watched grow up in your church. It also could be a barista at a coffee shop you frequent, a next-door neighbor, or a grandkid. Picture this race towards Jesus we are all running as a relay race. As you’re looking to the future, who might God illuminate along your path to pass the baton on to? Everyone can start with someone.
For more on reaching the next generation in our world today, check out the brand-new book: “Fulfill Your Purpose In Your Generation” where we uncover why churches are struggling to minister to young adults as well as what church leaders can do to better engage Millennials and Generation Z. At the end of each chapter there are also a series of discussion questions that can help you, your church, your board, your leadership team, or your small group!