McDonalds faces ‘Millennial’ Problem

I am a pretty big fan of McDonalds.  I was actually there early this morning.  Sitting at a hightop table working on my computer while sipping my large sweet tea and making good use of their free wifi.

So I am sad to hear the news that McDonalds sales are slumping due to the majority of Millennials who prefer other restaurants (however, I won’t be losing any sleep over it).  Here is the article.  McDonalds must make changes and shift with the changing culture if it wants to stay at the top of the industry.

While it is not important to me whether or not Millennials are going to McDonalds, it does bother me to know that so many emerging adults are leaving the Church behind.  I believe that a spiritual community is foundation for a follower of Christ.

This week, I am consulting with a church in Austin, MN.  This church has a desire to reach the Millennials in their town, and I look forward to how God is going to speak to us.

If your church is interested in reaching the Millennials in your community but doesn’t know where to begin, please let me know.  I would love the opportunity to come alongside your group as we seek to reach a new generation.

david in hat - blackDr. G. David Boyd is the Founder and Managing Director of EA Resources.  If you are interested in having him speak to your community about Millennals, and how your church can build a ministry to emerging adults, you can contact him at gdavid@earesources.org.

 

A Guide for Setting Expectations on Emerging Adults in Your Church Community  

Group of EAThank you for believing in emerging adults!  May God guide you as you seek to set expectations on emerging adults in your community.

Before you begin:

  • Include church leadership from the highest level.
  • Include emerging adults in the discussion (participation will cause ownership).
  • Educate participants on the current challenges and characteristics of emerging adults.
  • Hand out discussion questions before the meeting.

Discuss Questions:

  • What characteristics do we desire for our emerging adults to have?  How are we going to help them develop those characteristics?
  • Is it our goal to provide an extended “youth group” experience that will keep them interested in church?
  • How will we assimilate them into the adult population and activity of our community?
  • What are the needs of emerging adults in our community?  How are we specifically designed to meet any of those needs?
  • What roles do we desire for our emerging adults to have within our congregation?  How are we going to identity and create space for them within our community to help them fit those roles?
  • What kind of relationships are important for emerging adults?  What can we do to provide ways for these to be established?
  • What problems are emerging adults facing?  How can we empower them as they face these obstacles?

Before you leave:

  • What are some actions steps to take because of your discussion?  Who is taking responsibility for each step?
  • When will we meet again to check in about progress in this area of our ministry?
  • Are there any key players that were not able to attend, but need to brought into this discussion?

This is just the beginning of issues that need discussed by churches.  Add your thoughts or questions to the article by commenting below.

Dr. G. David Boyd is the Founder and Managing Director of EA Resources.  If he can help your community minister to emerging adults, you can contact him at gdavid@earesources.org.