The Next Next Generation
Born after 1980, the optimistic and community-oriented Millennials are your up-and-coming church leaders.
By Jim Schmotzer
July 1, 2004
Ten years ago, I switched from multi-generational ministry in a local congregation to a ministry with college students. I found myself, a mid-life baby boomer, ministering with a staff of Generation X-ers. As I adjusted to this change, a new shift happened. The college students were suddenly part of a new generation, the Millennials. Born after 1980, they were school age when the new millennium began. I became a boomer leading X-ers to serve Millennials. Now that Millennials are joining our staff team, some of the changes they bring are refreshing. Young adults are frequently the front line for many ministries. They are often the ones providing direct oversight of children and youth, leading activities, greeting guests, and much more. Who is this new generation, and how can we best work with them? A generation of winners
The Millennials experienced most of their formative growth in the 1990s. Children of economic prosperity, busy two-income or single-parent households, they spent much of their time in structured, adult-led settings. David Brooks named this group the "organization kids" (Atlantic Monthly, April 2001), from daycare to arranged play dates to select teams, these aren't latchkey kids; this group has been guided and kept "safe." Some dominant traits of Millennials: High self-esteem. This generation has been bombarded with positive messages. They have been told they can do or be anything they want. They are optimistic, self-reliant, braced for change. When younger they may have been on a soccer team, gone 0-10, but still they had a banquet and everyone got a trophy. This can create the problem of overconfidence; they believe they can tackle any opportunity, but may lack the maturity needed for critical decision making ...
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