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What is fueling the fire among churches to reach Millennials? Our motivation is important to consider before making decisions. If your church is seeking to minister to Millennials, take a moment to ponder these misguided motivators.

1. To Bring in Money

If you are looking to build your budget this way, you probably would have better luck winning the lottery. While some emerging adults are actively giving to their communities, many emerging adults are struggling financially, and are not at a stage of life to make large contributions to their community. Even among Christians who tithe, many emerging adults don’t believe that this concept is limited to local church giving, but have the freedom to give anywhere to further the Kingdom of God. Regardless, money should not be a motivating fact when considering to whom God has called us to serve (James 2)

2. To Maintain a “Youthful” Image

Image is everything, and sometimes we target young couples to make ourselves appear fresh and vibrant. Many churches fill their websites with pictures of hip young professionals and young families (Like this one to the left!). Judging people and showing favoritism based upon the individual’s age (also called ageism) is wrong.

3. To Secure the Future of the Church

The future of the church is not at stake. It is God’s church, and He has always reserved a remnant of his people unto Himself (Romans 11:4). If you have the attitude that the “sky is falling” in regards to Millennials and the future of the church, they will not come, but flee.

4. To Keep the Youth Pastor Busy

Aside from the popular perception that youth workers only drink Mountain Dew while playing video games, many youth workers have zero to little margin in their work or private lives. While this isn’t usually a reason why churches start an emerging adult ministry, youth workers are often the first person expected to lead this ministry. Here are some reasons why I disagree.

5. To Silence complaining Parents

Parents of emerging adults are struggling, and we should be providing encouragement (This is why EA Resources exists!); however, don’t allow your vision to be formed from discontent voices. Just because an elder or core family is struggling is not sufficient to sustain a healthy ministry especially if that ministry is only to provide something for their “age group.” It is important for churches to understand human development, and determine their vision for young adults. (Here are some questions to guide your community to form a vision.)

While few churches would profess to these sources of motivation, the potential for these unhealthy motivators exists within EVERY church.

If these motivators remain unbridled, then your ministry has a rough road ahead. Remind your team regularly why Emerging Adults are important to the church, and why you are doing this work.

Here are some proper sources of motivation:

They are the Lost Sheep.

Emerging adults are not attending our community, but God has called us to love them. Let us go out and seek after those who have left the church, and try to understand why they have left. Let us seek a humble heart, and ask God how He can use us to bring them back.

They are Lost among the flock.

Emerging adults are members of our community, and so we need to seek to minister to them. They are sticking around, and you are not sure what to do about it. Rather than just start an extension of youth group or pushing them to serve in youth ministry, the church needs to determine what do we expect of them, and how can we help them fully mature. (Click Here to Read How you can Start!)

The Flock needs them.

We need them as much as they need us. (Read More – The Disfigured body of Christ)

Dr. G. David Boyd is the Founder and Managing Director of EA Resources. He has a passion to equip parents and churches to understand the emerging adults in their lives. If he can help you or your community, contact him at gdavid@earesources.org.