Gen Y, the gospel, and churches
This generation, for example, is the only one that cannot remember a time without the Internet influencing their information and relationships – and that has had a significant impact on them. This generation has also more wealth and options laid out before them than any previous generation before them.
What then are the features of Gen Ys? and how must our ministries adapt to reach this next generation for Jesus?
Here is a table I put together earlier this year for discussion with the pastoral team at our church.
| Characteristics of Gen Y | Challenges for Gen Y | How churches must adapt |
| Options generation
Easily go from one thing to another. Not committed to organisations or events, but to people. | Must learn that discipline is the means to joy in Christ. | Don’t force Gen Ys to confirm to the church’s preexisting culture.
Affirm that organisations – even churches – are not perfect. Put the emphasis back on people and mission, not organisation. |
| Postmodernism Rejection of the modernism of their parents; adoption of postmodern tastes and thinking. Feeling as the new way of thinking. | Must know that God’s ultimate revelation is found in the Bible.
Must learn grammatico-historical exegesis. | Express the one truth in forms that appeal to postmoderns.
Let go of the organisational structure and rigidity of modernism. Help them critique other views. |
| Internet generation
Free access to information (eg. Wikipedia), democratisation of news (eg. blogs), unprecedented exposure and access to pornography. | Learn a robust Christian worldview.
Learn a Christian view of sex. | Realise that churches can no longer control congregations by withholding information.
Help them to critique other views. Teach about sex and pornography. |
| Tribalism
Friends are their new family/tribe – yet at the same time a depersonalisation of relationships (eg. Facebook friends). | Learn godly relationships to parents, government and other authority figures.
Godly relationships with friends (eg. forgiveness, welcoming others). | Model and explain godly relationships to authority figures.
Help build Christian networks of friends. |
| Hedonism
Looking for meaning in life through pleasure and fun. | Must know contentment is ultimately found in Christ. | Show them that their ultimate joy is found in Christ. |
| Materialism
Think they have the right to luxury and expect to have the good things in life. | Servanthood, the cost of discipleship. | People around them must show their joy in giving. |
| Green
Interest in environmental issues, climate change, etc. | Not only to be concerned about renewable energy etc., but the spiritual dimension of the earth’s groaning. | Don’t unnecessarily annoy Gen Y where it can be helped (eg. lights, photocopying). |
The focus of this article is obviously Gen Y. In all of this I’m not assuming that Baby Boomers, or Gen Xers, have gotten it entirely right, or that Boomer or Gen X culture doesn’t need to be critiqued by the gospel. Not at all!
The gospel critiques all cultures – and calls on people of all generations to turn to him. And as they do so, the people of each successive generation will find different things they struggle with.
[ PS: can you think of other things you'd add to that table? ]
