EA Resources | Tag | Millennial Voices

Preaching to your Adult Child – Here is Their Perspective.

Posted on October 13, 2016 by G. David Boyd 0

Image from page 336 of "The history of Methodism" (1902) from Flickr via Wylio

If you are a parent, then there are times when your child feels as if you are preaching at them. If you don’t know your favorite topics, just ask them (if you are brave).

This article written by an emerging adult explains the thought process for your child as you discuss issues that you don’t agree upon – including faith. While this article may not reflect the relationship between you and your child, there is much for parents to learn from this writer’s perspective.

Within five minutes of starting the hour-long car ride, she asked me if I wanted to explain my theological beliefs to her.

Awkward.

At this point, I had three options…

Read the entire article – HERE.

I wanted to summarize the points, but found too much that I wanted my readers to see and feel. But I do want to highlight the author’s main conclusion:

I ask ‘when the preaching will end’ because with conservatives I consistently feel that I am being preached at by people who don’t care to understand me as a person, while with liberals I feel that I am becoming a part of a movement which is built on compassion and mutual understanding.

Within our homes, churches, and the public square – communication is key.

Most Christians ignore the role of the Holy Spirit, and focus on conversion tactics when speaking with those outside the church – including their children. Dialogue and diversity are welcome in today’s culture, but when someone in a conversation feels the need to be right – it will turn people from the beauty of the gospel.

This author is a follower of Jesus who was raised in an evangelical home. Unfortunately, this emerging adult found the “extra baggage” of present-day Evangelical culture (which I use to refer to anything not required by the original tenants of the movement) to be completely overpowering to their spiritual journey. I believe that some emerging adults find these beliefs so restrictive that they abandon the faith completely.

This May All Go to Sh*t: An Open Letter to Millennial Church Leaders – Huffington Post

Posted on March 2, 2016 by G. David Boyd 0

Do you know what the hell you’re doing? Because we’re coming clean and admitting that often times we don’t.

For starters, let’s agree we’re past the whole “millennials vs the church” conversation. “Millennials hate the church.” “Millennials don’t believe in institutions or organized religion.” “Millennials don’t tithe because they’re selfish!” We know the stereotypes and stats. We’re just not interested in engaging that kind of click-bait navel gazing. Continue reading →

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

Posted on October 5, 2015 by G. David Boyd 0

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

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.

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Responding to the Unemployed Millennials in Your Church

Posted on July 6, 2015 by G. David Boyd 0

Here is a piece that was written by a Millennial that I recently met at a conference.

After high school, I went to a Technical College for a two-year Associates Degree in Law Enforcement. After Graduating in 2009, I started searching for a job. I applied for any job opening in Corrections to being a Police Officer.

After three years and over sixty applications I still did not have a job due to my lack of experience. During this time, I was living with my parents, and working part-time at Rainbow Foods to help pay my student loans.

As a young man, I faced constant discouragement and shame for not having a full-time job and living at home. People at church would always approach me with the same three questions, “What are you doing?”, “Where do you live?”, and “Where are you working?” People would keep saying things like, “just keep applying,” but these words were not encouraging.

After three years of applications, I felt the Lord was calling me back to school to get another degree. I continued my education on-line, and now have a B.A. Unfortunately, I still don’t have a job, and working part-time with student loans barely covers my loans.

Being 26 years old and living with you parents has some real challenges, but fortunately my parents are very supportive of me. Sometimes people will suggest that I once again go back to school, and get yet another degree because that job field is hard to get into, dying, shrinking, or because they think you should do something different.

However, more schooling and a higher debt load doesn’t seem hopeful.

I asked the writer some questions about how the church could help emerging adults in his position, and here are his responses.

What can the church do to help people who are young and jobless?

The church could help people who are young and jobless through having specific people checking in on them from month to month. They should be people who know how to ask the right questions, and equipped to help me in my journey. I think that they could also create connections so the congregation is aware of those looking for employment. Members of the church can be part of the network that leads emerging adults to their next job.

What could people say to those who are young and jobless?

People should be more careful how and what they say to those who are unemployed. I found the words, “I’m praying for you” encouraging, or “I am keeping an eye out for jobs for you.” The hardest questions are asking “where are you living” because I then have to tell them I still live with my parents – which comes with additional shame.

What do you want people to know or understand about yourself and others like you in the church?

I want people to understand that getting a degree and finding a job isn’t always easy. I myself never thought I would still be living at home at 26 without a fulltime job, and I think, people need to be more understanding at the difficulties facing emerging adults. Parents should understand that after graduation, their children might have to live at home while searching for a job – and it should be ok.

What keeps you going?

My motivation comes from God and my parents. I know God is there for me, and is providing for me through this journey. He always seems to provide encouragement when I need it the most. My parents are very supportive of me. They have sought to understand my situation, and defended me when people ask why they allow me to still live with them.

EA Resources is seeking contributions from Millennials who want the Church to hear their voice. If want to contribute, please contact us at gdavid@earesources.org. These pieces are tagged “Millennial Voices.”

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