The millennial generation is a force to be reckoned with. They are perhaps the most diverse generation in American history, quickly changing how our society functions. So how do you attract millennials to church?

Your church leadership needs to dig into questions like: What entices millennials to attend service? What are Millennials looking for in a church? In this conversation, we’ll cover some facts about this generation and five ways that churches can attract and retain millennial churchgoers!

Estimated reading time: 16 minutes

Table of contents

• Who is the Millennial Generation?
  • When Were Millennials Born?
  • What Do Millennials Value?
  • Why Do Church Leaders Need to Worry About Millennials?
• 12 Ways Churches Can Attract Millennials
  • 1. Create Meaningful Community
  • 2. Embrace Technology
  • 4. Offer Opportunities for Growth
  • 5. Help Them Find Purpose and Make a Difference
  • 6. Focus on Issues of Importance and Challenge
• Building for the Younger Generation

There’s always room for interpretation when defining the generations and drawing lines. Any time you’re talking about a large group of people, it can be dangerous to paste labels….or to make sweeping assumptions.

Just keep that in mind throughout this conversation. We’re not saying that ALL the characteristics will apply to every person you meet in this age bracket; these are generalizations. The critical point is that churches can use new strategies to create an atmosphere that will engage, disciple, and retain the next generation.

Pew Research defines Millennials as those born between 1981 and 1996. So, they’re currently around 27-41 years old. Millennials have grown up in a culture full of technological advancements and have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.

Here are some things Millennials value:

In short, millennials have a longing for truth and are very purpose-driven. They want to see real change in their communities. Most Millennials are also digital natives. That means that technology, communication, and social media are integral to their lives.

First of all, many church leaders probably ARE millennials. In addition, although they used to be considered the next generation of young people, millennials are now adults. They’re in the workforce, many of them have families, and they’re primarily in their 30s.

So, churches need to attract millennials not only to attract young adults or a new group of churchgoers but because millennials are today’s decision-makers.

By 2029, millennials will shift into the 35-44 year-old age bracket. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects this group’s labor force size to increase by 4.5 million, the largest of any age group.

Millennials seek connections with like-minded people who share their values and beliefs. So make sure your church prioritizes building relationships.

Younger members have grown up in a hyper-connected digital world. Yet, at the same time, they feel lonely, isolated, and lacking true connection. According to a report by Telstra, 54% of Gen Z and 51% of Millennials say they feel lonely either often, always, or some of the time. This is higher than all other generations.

However, the majority of millennials are accustomed to communicating through screens. So sometimes, in-person interactions can be more challenging for them than for older generations. And that brings us to two additional points for how to build church community.