{"id":7032,"date":"2017-04-10T04:00:49","date_gmt":"2017-04-10T04:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/artiosmagazine.org\/?p=4081"},"modified":"2023-08-29T11:21:08","modified_gmt":"2023-08-29T17:21:08","slug":"millennial-christian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/baonline.cog7engage.net\/millennial-christian\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Reasons I’m Excited to be a Millennial Christian"},"content":{"rendered":"

The millennium had barely turned when I first became acquainted with the labels that would define\u00a0my generational identity. As researchers looked at the culture that had shaped us and hypothesized about how we would collectively respond to and shape our environments as we grew into adulthood, I found myself both fascinated and enthralled by what I read.<\/p>\n

We were called Gen-Y, Millennials, Echoboomers, and my favorite, the Bridger Generation. However, as we looked at the promises of a new (at the time pre-9-11) millennium, what they all seemed to have in common in the perception of this<\/em>\u00a0Millennial was a hopefulness that transcended the cynical rebellion of Gen-X. (Yes, at the time, Gen-Xers were young adults and the favorite\u00a0target of societal criticism).<\/p>\n

As a pioneering millennial[ref]Define us as they will, researchers can’t agree on well-defined age boundaries for the millennial generation. Some organizations base their research on people born in 1976, others in 1980, and still others use 1982. They also can’t agree on the “end” birth year – somewhere between 1996 and 2001. As someone who was born just a few months shy of 1980, my specific age cohort is sometimes counted among millennials and sometimes among Gen-X. Because we don’t neatly fit, we are sometimes referred to as the “Oregon Trail” generation because of our shared experience playing that particular computer game. However, it is significant to note that because of how I was brought up, I have connected with millennial research significantly more strongly than Gen-X research. [\/ref] I had the opportunity to embrace this label and all of the\u00a0hopefulness it encompassed and\u00a0allow it to engender a healthy pride in my generation – a pride that seems to have been harassed out of millennials who stepped into adulthood a later point in time.<\/p>\n

As millennials, we are natives to the culture that is sending shock waves through the Church.\u00a0Yes, it is becoming a bit of an overused point to ponder, but “with crisis comes opportunity”. It\u00a0is as millennials that\u00a0we have the opportunity to provide unique leadership at a time when culture is presenting significant challenges to Christianity.<\/p>\n

Each generation has a unique personality. What helps define that generation is how it interacts with its unique setting on the historical stage.<\/p>\n

Here are just a handful of contextual strengths that are\u00a0defining Christian leadership among millennials:<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0We see opportunity everywhere.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[bctt tweet=”Against many odds, ‘relentless optimism’ is part of our generational profile. -Amber Riggs”]<\/p>\n

Against many odds, “relentless optimism”\u00a0is part of our generational profile. This article in the LA Times<\/a> noted that despite economic (and other) challenges, millennials demonstrate “remarkable resilience” and confidence. It’s significant to note that this theme of optimism and confidence runs throughout analyses of the millennial generation.<\/p>\n

As far as Christian leadership is concerned, we can turn that optimism into the realization that opportunities for influence abound. Realizing that\u00a0influence\u00a0is not limited to positional leadership<\/a>, we eschew helplessness in the face of intimidating circumstances to recognize the potential that we have to engender change on more personal levels: in our homes, churches, communities, and work places.<\/p>\n

I also look at the spiritual challenges around us and raise my eyes for the chance to see different facets of God’s character – parts of Him that though ever-present were sometimes obscured by political Christendom.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0We are intrigued by history and historical faith.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

You know what they say about those who don’t know history. Fortunately, to our great advantage, we have an unprecedented accessibility to history. It is always at our fingertips. If I come across a historical figure, event, or song from Hamilton: The Musical, \u00a0and want to know more, I can simply ask Google, Siri, or Alexa, and I’m off and running on a side-tracked train down the path of time.<\/p>\n

Significantly, this has translated into a millennial\u00a0respect for historical faith<\/a>\u00a0and classical Christianity.<\/p>\n

As Robert Webber asserted, “The road to the future runs through the past.” We have 2000 years of a deeply rooted faith from which we can gain wisdom in worship, evangelism, spiritual formation, and theology<\/a>. Those of us who are\u00a0exploring this well-trod winding road are finding our relationships with Christ\u00a0enriched by it.<\/p>\n

3. We are a creative bridge to the next generation.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Perhaps because we’ve been told to “think outside the box” our entire lives, our generation is known for its creativity. However, there is speculation that we won’t be anywhere near as creative as the generation that follows us.<\/p>\n

[bctt tweet=”Millennials play a crucial role in communicating the gospel.- Amber Riggs”]<\/p>\n

For this reason, we will play (and already do play) a crucial role in communicating the gospel to the next generation. However, instead of “reinventing church”, our creativity appears to reflect a desire to communicate ancient truths in meaningful ways.<\/p>\n

4. We want to make a difference in our communities.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Millennials have much higher rates of involvement in volunteering and community service than other generations did in their 20’s and 30’s. While some analysts cite technology as a catalyst<\/a>, surely\u00a0competitive university and scholarship applications that highly favored community involvement played a role in this as well. \u00a0We were told that we could and should make a difference, and we believed it.<\/p>\n

What this means for the Church is that we have a generation who is highly aware of needs not only in the local community but the global community, and we want the Church to define and act on the intersection of these needs and the gospel.<\/p>\n

5. We are collaborating with the Body of Christ\u00a0across denominational lines.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Less than 100 years ago, \u00a0denominational “turf wars” were a significant factor in American Christianity. Multiple denominations declared themselves to be the “one true church”. The award winning joke<\/a> about one type of Baptist pushing another type of Baptist off a bridge as a heretic won precisely because of its insightfully hyperbolic take on historical reality.<\/p>\n

Today, however, inter-denominational partnerships among Christ-centered congregations are on the rise, particularly among evangelical denominations. My local congregation partners with both One Hope<\/a> and Love Inc.<\/a> to spread the gospel in our community. We have received reports from school administrators, government officials, and community members\u00a0all being powerfully amazed at so many congregations\u00a0working together to meet the needs of our county.<\/p>\n

While\u00a0denominational identify still holds significant relevance<\/a>, its role has shifted in a healthy way.<\/p>\n

6. We work well in teams.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Chalk it up to the seemingly endless group projects that were inflicted upon us as students, but we\u00a0are fluent in the language of teamwork.<\/p>\n

This fluency brings with it multiple advantages<\/a>\u00a0that can ultimately lead to a\u00a0greater sense of unity and collaboration. When we are allowed to capitalize on our unique strengths within a focused team, it can engender energizing levels of effectiveness.<\/p>\n

My own experience co-leading (with a fellow millennial) a primarily millennial staff has been an incredibly rewarding opportunity. Together, we have strategically and creatively overcome what once seemed to be insurmountable obstacles to see a small glimpse of a Church that “grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Eph. 4:16).<\/p>\n

Embracing the Millennial Opportunity<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The millennial generation truly is a “bridge” generation.\u00a0Born in one millennium but leading in the next, we are bridging the span between two eras of history.<\/p>\n

Curious about\u00a0gaining a more complete understanding of the role you play in\u00a0this\u00a0bridge as a follower of Christ?<\/p>\n