Author Archives: G. David Boyd

Millennials move towards Digital News – and they are willing to Pay for it.

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NEW YORK — In a world flush with free information, some young people are still willing to shell out for news they read.

Smartphones from Flickr via Wylio

© 2013 Esther Vargas, Flickr | CC-BY-SA | via Wylio

A recent poll shows that 40 percent of U.S. adults ages 18-34 pay for at least some of the news they read, whether it’s a print newspaper, a digital news app or an e-mail newsletter. Another 13 percent don’t pay themselves but rely on someone else’s subscription, according to the survey by Media Insight Project, a collaboration of the American Press Institute and the Associated Press–NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Older Millennials are more likely than younger ones to personally pay for news.

Here is the full article.

Here are some points to consider:

  • “The proliferation of free news online and new ways for advertisers to reach people has besieged publishers of newspapers and magazines.”
  • “Some popular news sites, particularly newer online-only outlets like Huffington Post and BuzzFeed, remain free to all.”
  • “Millennials have shown that they are willing to engage in content that interests them,” Herndon said (a professor of journalism).

What does this mean for the church?

  • Brand is often more important than price.  Millennials who are willing to pay money for news know how to obtain this same news for free from other sources.  These Millennials are interested in a specific perspective or “brand” of news.
  • Many churches spend resources on their on-line presence without examining the results of that work.  Does your church know who is utilizing your electronic media?  Many churches have gone with current technologies, but the content does interest Millennials (for various reasons).
  • I believe their willingness to pay for digital news is driven by their value of conservation of natural resources and their technology-driven lifestyle.  In the church world, the paper bulletin still reigns, but even its days may be coming to an end.  

Dr. G. David Boyd is the Founder and Managing Director of EA Resources.

 

Prerequisite for Intergenerational Ministry

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Recent research was released by the Pew Research Center, displaying “the Millennial Exodus” from the church. I believe that one reason why young adults leave the church is because of Ageism.

© 2007 Florencia&Pe, Flickr | CC-BY | via Wylio

Ageism is prejudice or discrimination based upon age.  “Ageism” was first coined by Robert Neil Butler in 1971, and is displayed through stereotyping various ages and generations, disdain and avoiding contact with different age-groups, and practices that discriminate services based upon age. While the elderly are often the targets of ageism, emerging adults are also victims of its abuse.

Ageism raises it head ever time that jokes are made about a certain demographic within the church.  Ageism smiles when roadblocks keep the young (and old) from leadership and service roles.  Ageism cheers in victory when the “youth” alone are designated for a specific project of the church.  Ageism reigns when generations glare across the aisle at one another rather than standing hand in hand.

© 2007 Mike Renlund, Flickr | CC-BY | via Wylio

The Good News according to Erdman Palmore is that “Religious organization are uniquely able to use exhortation to reduce ageism because most people belong to one and because they can call on the authority of the Bible and other teachings of their religion.“ (Palmore, Ageism: Negative and Positive)

As followers of Christ, we hold powerful answers to ageing and death for our world.  The church also has a single unifying cause (Hint:  The answer starts with a “J” and ends with “esus”).  Armed with a positive perspectives of ageing and death, the church is equipped to build thriving intergenerational communities.

However, when is the last time that you heard a message, homily, blog-post, or devotional on this topic?  Even as I write, I wonder whether or not anyone will read this post.

Intergenerational is a buzzword that you hear every day within youth ministry circles.  In order to create healthy intergenerational communities, we must confront ageism and develop strategies for individual and community change.

© 2010 Eric Danley, Flickr | CC-BY | via Wylio

When you combat ageism, you stand as a warrior for church unity.  Don’t simply be a spokesperson for the youth of the church.  I call you to blaze new trails which allow them to speak for themselves. Don’t strive for intergenerational communities until you know that they won’t attack each other.

If you don’t know where to start combating ageism, then look inside.  Ask yourself the question, “How does ageism affect you?”  May your answer lead you to the cross, and start you on a journey towards healing.

Dr. G. David Boyd is the Founder and Managing Director of EA Resources.

When Does A Boy Become A Man In His Mother’s Eyes?

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I recently came across this well-written article, and I wanted to share it with my readers.  The author, Melissa Schultz, is a mother who is transitioning from a full house into an empty nest.  She shares her mother’s perspective on what it means to be a man.

Here is the article.

2013-05-31-boysshavingsmaller.jpg

The positives of this article:

  1.  It doesn’t link manhood to various traditional, yet lacking markers – like having children, making money, or growing a beard.
  2. Great portrayal of a mother’s struggle to allow her children to grow up.  “And then, even then, when we see our sons as men, sometimes, we still secretly see them as our little boys. Because we want to. Not because they are.”
  3. Gives several inadequate markers of manhood, but doesn’t fully answer the question, “What makes a man?”  Her answer is, “For me, a boy becomes a man when he lets himself fall in love. It says he’s ready and willing to discover who he really is, to take risks; to care for someone other than himself.”     While the ability to fall in love can be a mark of knowing who they really are (self-discovery), take risks (courage), and caring for others (self-less), these characteristics are still greatly lacking.

I think that all emerging adults regularly ask themselves if they are truly an adult.  As children, they long every day to arrive, and yet often never fully feel satisfied in their arrival.  These uncertain feelings can lead our children to a lack of confidence and confusion.

While we can never adequately define adulthood, we can work to give our children the confidence that they need in their journey.  During my research, one of the powerful interview moments that I had was when one young man told me that he knew he was a man because, “My dad told me so.”

Take time today to encourage your children in their pursuit of adulthood.  May you be a channel of confidence that they need to take the next step.

Here are some additional articles that encourage you (or someone you love) in this pursuit.

Dr. G. David Boyd is the Founder and Managing Director of EA Resources, a non-profit designed to encourage emerging adults and their parents.

Three Marks of the Spiritually Immature

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Here is a picture of my youngest – Tobias.

Babies require a lot of attention.

  • Babies cannot feed themselves.
  • Babies stick.
  • Babies can’t defend themselves.

As a father of three boys, I have personally experienced these truth, and as a leader in the church I have noticed some parallels between babies and the spiritually immature.

The Spiritually mature feed themselves.

Here is Andrew, my middle child when he was about 2 years old.

The immature show up to church every Sunday (some of them NEVER miss), and open their mouths saying, “Feed me.”  The spiritual parent provides a message that they quickly swallow, and they never eat again until the following Sunday.  Like baby birds who eat their mother’s regurgitated worms, spoon spoon-fed Christians eat only what they are given.

A follower of Jesus has tasted how good He is, and desire more.  1 Peter 2:2 says, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”  However, many Christians have filled their natural desire for God with other appetites of the Flesh.

As a disciple matures in faith, he or she is no longer dependent on others for nourishment.  Disciples are able to connect with God on a personal level – through listening to His voice, and responding.

The Spiritually mature don’t stink.

Babies often stink.  When babies make a mess (in their diaper), they don’t just say, “Mom/Dad, don’t you worry.  I will take care of that foul odor coming from my backside by changing my undergarments.”    When stinky, babies often don’t notice.  As they turn into toddlers, children either cry when dirty, or run off and hide.

Babies are not able to always discern the disgusting from the amazing, and when they are discovered playing in the disgusting, they don’t know what to do.  Being aware of the power of sin in our lives, and daily surrendering our lives to Jesus is a step of maturity.  The spiritually mature are aware of the messes that they make in their own lives (and how their sins affect others), and are proactive in cleaning up the mess left behind.

The Spiritually mature can defend themselves.

A parent of a baby is always on duty (especially when children are old enough to walk, but not old enough to discern danger).  The immature are unable to sense danger whether it comes from an electrical socket or a car.  The spiritually immature are unable to discern truth from error.  Whether surfing the web or listening to the radio, they are drawn, and persuaded by what their ears want to hear.  (2 Timothy 4:3)  The spiritually mature have the ability to listen to others, without feeling the need to change their own beliefs, or the necessity to prove others wrong.

Physical age and spiritual maturity are easily confused by those who have never had the later (like Mayo and Miracle Whip).  However, true disciples accept no substitute.

2014 July4Dr. G. David Boyd is the Founder and Managing Director of EA Resources.  He is an avid lover of Legos, video games, and anything related to the Marvel Universe.

So You Want to Start a Young Adult Ministry

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So You Want to Start a Young Adult MinistryI had rehearsed what I was going to say and had a response for each of the objections I was sure my pastor would enumerate. I waited until the waitress brought us our coffee, and then I began to share a bit of my heart with this man who had watched me grow up and in recent years had become more of a mentor. Continue reading →

When the Church is Fighting over Coffee Pots

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© 2010 Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious, Flickr | CC-BY-SA | via Wylio

I am still shocked and amazed that it happened.  I had heard stories about church conflict centered on the color of carpet or the VBS theme, but it would never happen in my church.

Never say never.

In the midst of a church business meeting, a discussion began that resulted in a fight over the use of coffee pots.  Harsh words were uttered.  People were angry.

In a room where the average age was well over forty

In a room that was holding the leadership of our church.

In a room where gray hair ran rampant, and where wisdom and maturity were supposed to be found in abundance.

In this room selfishness reigned and child-like behavior was obvious.

Sometimes immature behavior gets ascribed to… well, to those who are younger (or to people we don’t like or agree with).  Yet at that moment, it was difficult to imagine any other age group having this same conversation.

Psalm 119: 99,100 says,

I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.

Spiritual maturity is not dependent upon age, but upon the individual’s meditation and obedience to God’s word.  We all make assumptions about others based upon their age – which is defined as Ageism.  Ageism is prejudice or discrimination based upon age, and I believe it to be one of the causes of the Millennial Exodus (or why young adults are leaving the church).

When judged by his age, Paul commands Timothy to stand strong against ageism, “Don’t let anyone look down upon you because you are young.”  (1 Timothy 4:12)  Timothy was called to lead, and Paul knew that his character and calling (rather than age) were the foundation of his leadership.

Why then are young adults often excluded from leadership because of age?  (read more)

For several years in a community where I served, I regularly questioned why our leadership had to be over fifty.  After nominating many young(er) adults, they were always mysteriously removed for the same reason – they were in the wrong ‘phase of life’ (aka – anyone with children in the home). It was thinly veiled ageism –  excluded people due to their age.

When the coffee pots become the center of your church meetings, it reveals that something is wrong.

Your church may be equating age with maturity.

David Boyd 1 (1)Dr. G. David Boyd is the Founder and Managing Director of EA Resources.  He is passionate about equipping parents and churches to reach Millennials.  If there is some way that he can serve your community, contact him at gdavid@earesources.org.

Why You Need to Be Yourself When Marketing to Millennials

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Earlier this week, I posted an article about Hilary Clinton’s tweet that offended Millennials and how the church can learn from her mistake.

Here is a new article that while focusing on marketing can reveal how churches often drive Millennials away.

Authenticity is a buzzword – especially among churches.

Yet the meaning is different for Millennials that other generations (Read more HERE).

If you are seeking Millennials, it is crucial to be true to yourself.  As I reflected on how churches attempt to appeal to Millennials in inauthentic ways, here are a few questions that came to mind.

1.  Do you claim to be non-denominational, and yet have clear ties and restricted beliefs for your community?

2.  Do you claim diversity, and yet have none?  (For example, when using “Stock” photos, do you accurately represent your community?)

3.  Do you claim to be earth-friendly, and yet don’t recycle?  I know of two large churches in my community who actually put out recycling containers to appear eco-friendly, and yet were unwilling to pay for recycling (and they were throwing the recyclables in the garbage).

4.  Do you claim to empower women and yet don’t have any in leadership?

I do not believe that you have to change your communities policies in these areas; however, you should accurately display them.

The main point of the article is that we should truly express our community’s set of beliefs (rather than hiding – or using a “bait and switch” technique).  While these beliefs may turn away some people, they will help others find a place where they belong.

David Boyd 1 (1)Dr. G. David Boyd is the Founder and Managing Director of EA Resources.  If he can assist your community to reach Millennials, please contact him at gdavid@earesources.org.

 

Hillary Clinton Insults Emerging Adults with Tweet – What Your Church can Learn.

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Hillary Clinton has relented to months of demands that she relinquish the personal email server she used while secretary of state, directing the device be given to the U.S. Department of Justice.

As soon as I heard the tweet, I knew it would not go over well with Millennials.

This past week, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton tweeted this message in order to draw support from younger voters:

Clinton - college debt

The first line is incredible. 

Millennials are concerned about educational  debt.  As student debt loads continue to climb, politicians and church leaders should be aware of the struggles of today’s emerging adults.

The second line is a disaster…

The problem is that the tweet makes an assumption that emerging adults are limited in their ability to communicate with emojis (a word that many people are still learning to say or spell). Emojis originated in Japan, and they are small pictures that are used to display thoughts, or emotions.

Here are a few of the responses to the Tweet:

clinton emojis1

clinton emojis2

Here is the article.

Please do not perceive this article to be a political statement.  I share this article to show churches and parents that we must truly understand Millennials, and not simply make assumptions about their generation.

Three quick take-a-ways:

1.  Millennials do not rely on emojis for their main means of communication.

2.  Millennials want to be treated like adults.

3.  Millennials care about college debt.

Treat Millennials like adults.  They have something to say.  

david in hat - blackDr. G. David Boyd is the Founder and Managing Director of EA Resources.  If  he can help you and your community understand the needs and beliefs of emerging adults, please contact him at gdavid@earesources.org.