Some kids today have more stuff hanging from their body parts than we have on the Christmas tree! We call them the millennial generation. Kids 12 to 18 years old. They’re unique and sometimes challenging! But they are spiritually receptive. You’ve heard about Gen. X. (1964-1981). The Millennials could be called Gen. R - for revival. They may not like the old hymnal. Their music’s loud. They like Christianity told like it is. They want Christians to walk the talk: to live the faith. When God touches their hearts, they touch their friends. We need to invest spiritually in the Millennials - in our churches, neighborhoods, and families. They may be the spark that ignites the fire, for a whole new Christian movement.

Music is exploding from the millennial generation! It’s loud and energetic. And this generation is not without its musicians who are Christians. We remember the early days of Christian Music, with artists such as The 2^nd Chapter of Acts, Amy Grant, Silverwind, Keith Green, or Larry Norman. These artist and musicians were a new breed of Christians in the industry, however very much behind the contemporary music of the time. Today, the Christian music industry is crossing barriers of pop culture as the sub-culture of CCM is being more widely accepted both in and out of the church. With artists and bands such as Kirk Franklin, DC Talk, P.O.D., Rebecca St. James, and others, the mainstream world is seeing a culture that won't back down, hold back, or compromise. Now, this generation is bringing its millennial music into Church. Every generation has its own expressions - even in worship. You don’t have to like it - just accept it. This does not mean we tolerate it, but rather acknowledge and understand to the point of embracing it. Do you want the next generation reached for Christ? Then you’ll have to subordinate your musical taste to your evangelistic passion. If the words are biblical, the style, tempo, and instruments don’t matter. Neither does the volume. Encourage the next generation to worship God in a way that’s biblical, but makes sense to them. Help your church start a worship service to reach the millennials. And watch ministry happen in this new generation. If it’s too loud for you, wear earplugs. Block the noise, not the ministry!

Sometimes, it’s not always prudent to tell it like it is. But, if you want to reach the millennial generation, straight to-the-point Christianity works best. Kids from 12 to 18 are a tell-it-like-it-is generation. They know reality and virtual reality. They don’t just want to hear about Christianity. They want to experience it. They want to see real evidence. They aren't looking for a fix, or a sense of what we so informally call hope. This generation isn't looking for an emotional high or a feeling. They are looking for something real. They are looking for an impact. They are finding a life changing encounter with the living God. This generation is looking for something they can take hold of and consider their own. They don't want the warm and fuzzy Jesus of the 60's Jesus Movement that their parents remember. They are looking for the God of the Bible. Don’t beat around the bush. Don't worry about offending anyone. This generation is quick, very sharp and sometimes powerfully shrewd. They can pick out a hypocrite almost as fast as you can say the word. Don't water down the truth. Tell it like it is. Get to the point. Speak with conviction, because that is what works. To this generation, practice real and in-your-face Christianity. They will respect you and respond.

Like every generation, young people today have their strengths, weaknesses, and challenges. Their multi-media driven world tries to influence them in every way. They’ve learned to be skeptical, they don’t' take anything for granted. They’re also spiritually hungry. They are from a world of broken marriages, broken homes, and broken dreams. They’ve witnessed broken churches. Do you want to reach this generation for Christ? They’re looking for integrity - people who walk the talk. Don’t pretend you’re perfect. You’re not. Be honest, transparent, and demonstrate the reality of the Christian life. If you want to influence the next generation for Christ, be genuine. Be yourself. Show them how Christ makes a difference in your life, helps you when you’re down, how He guides you through life's challenges. Don’t just go through the motions of "churchianity". Let's not play church. Walk the talk and let the next generation know that Jesus is real. Because He is!

To reach the next generation for Christ, help change the way you do church. It's time to shift gears. The next generation is the net generation. They’ve grown up on the internet. They’ve grown up networking. In my parents generation, the Church focused on buildings and institutions. Thank goodness, or we’d have nothing to stand on. In the baby boomer generation, we got involved in programs. Thank goodness, because the Church needs those too. For the next generation, you must shift your emphasis from programs to relationships - from organization to networking - from committees to connecting - from boards to teams - from elections to spiritual gifts. The truth is still the truth. And Jesus is still the center. But the methodology to reach this generation is relationships, discipling, and mentoring. Now that sounds a lot like the New Testament!

There is new hope for the church in this new millennium using New Testament solutions for new millennium challenges.