Although you make get tired or reading articles about how to work with, recruit, and mentor millennials, each of us needs to be aware that this new generation of leaders is ready and willing to become engaged if we will acknowledge what is important to them. Mary Verstraete, a professional leadership consultant and coach, had written a very helpful article about millennials and made some practical suggestions about how to make the most of their abilities.
Let me adapt Verstraete’s comments to
the church context.
First, she says to “look for ways to satisfy their
desire to be creative, to have important and interesting roles, and to engage
them.” They are bright and innovative
individuals. We need to give them the
space to come up with new ideas and then let them pursue those ideas to
completion. If we are not willing to
give that latitude, then we are saying we really don’t want them as part of our
ministry.
Second, we should “emphasize training and personal
development to retain this group.” I
have found millennials very open to spiritual formation and disciple practices
that will enrich their Christian journeys.
Some older adults are surprised at how open millennials are to more
traditional expressions of the faith. They want to learn.
Third, we should” encourage collaboration and
transparency.” They don’t want to start
at the bottom and take twenty years to work themselves into a place of
leadership. They want to be
involved now. Again, if you are not
willing to listen to them and give them places of significant responsibility,
then you don’t want them.
Fourth, Verstraete says “focus
on mentorship.” For good or ill, “they
have grown up with considerable guidance from their parents, society, and
teachers.” Older leaders have much to share with them. They will listen to your story if you will
listen to theirs. They also can offer “reverse
mentoring” to an older generation, helping them to understand how millennials
think and what they value.
Fifth, provide opportunities for them to make a difference. Businesses that commit to social causes are
every attractive to millennials. Isn’t
this what the church should be about?
Just make sure that the impact is real and hands on or they will not
stay with it.
The next generation of leaders is here. Are we ready for them?
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