Understanding the Millennial Mind: A Menace or ... - Big Business Zoo

Chapter 21: Millennials
and Religion
Their Exposure to Alternate
Religions
Millennials have an almost insatiable appetite
for meaning and context. They want to
understand whether things really happen
for a reason and, if so, what those reasons
are.
Authoritarian and patriarchal religions
tend to be very unappealing to Millennials.
Because of their natural propensity
to explore and experiment Millennials are
sometimes drawn to new or synthetic spiritual
practices that incorporate very broad
latitudes of beliefs.
An increasing number of Millennials (as well
as older generations) refer to themselves
as “spiritual” but not religious. Given the
Millennial affinity for relationships, their
exodus from organized religions that offer
fellowship as a fundamental benefit could
be viewed as confusing. This paradox will
be discussed in the next section.
How Traditional Churches Are
Reacting to Millennials
Traditional, independent and new age
churches have all recognized the Millennial
thirst for meaning in their lives. Unfortunately
most churches engage them as if
any spiritual interest is more of a shopping
trip than a quest. That is the best most
churches offer, the worst is treating them as
if they are somehow evil, dysfunctional and
broken.
Millennials are not so naïve as to expect
easy answers in something so important
UNDERSTANDING THE MILLENNIAL MIND: A MENACE OR AMAZING? | 55
and profound as the deeper meaning of their
lives. Churches that offer them good, challenging
questions rather than cookie-cutter solutions
and step-by-step rules will be sought out
and respected.
The opportunity to move up through escalating
levels of spiritual development is appealing to
Millennials. When and how to step up to new
levels must be left to their choice however.
How Alternative Churches Are
Engaging Millennials
Many alternative churches are creating what
amounts to an à la carte menu for beliefs. This
means allowing participants to pick and choose
what tenets and principles they will adhere to.
While it is known that Millennials are highly
menu-centric it should not be assumed they
will sell out for freedom of choice.
Millennials also respect that not everything is
negotiable nor a matter of personal preference.
While the era of the “have it your way” church
may enjoy some temporary popularity, the
long-range growth will be in institutions that
emphasize fellowship, personal growth and
ongoing spiritual development.