Why Millennials (Gen Y), Gen Z and Gen Alpha may be better Christians

Let me just put it out there, I am a Boomer and I think that the generations from Millennial to Gen. A may just make better Christians than we Boomers.

 I’m sure you have heard a lot about Gen’s Y, Z and A, mostly from the Boomer generation, that isn’t good.

 People love to analyze and complain about the Gen’s Y, Z and A young people (although the top of Gen Y are approaching 40). I hear it at work and at church. Possibly, one of the most often frequent complaint I hear is that they all expect participation trophies!

Matthew 10:42 [NIV] And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.

But I say: salvation is the ULTIMATE participation trophy.

 Salvation is free, unmerited pardon. It is forgiveness that you did not earn and cannot earn. Gen’s Y, Z and A, remember when you played T-ball and everybody got a trophy just because they put the uniform on and showed up, even if they never made it to bat? Even if you struck out every time. That is exactly how salvation through Jesus works. Jesus died for you. Salvation is yours. All you have to do is show up (accept Him as Savior), suit up (get baptized) and pick up your trophy. Yes, good works should be a result of your saved life, but works are not salvation.

 Again, salvation is free, undeserved pardon. You cannot earn it no matter how hard you work and how much you serve.

 Sadly, many of us from other generations struggle with feeling “worthy.” We struggle with trying to earn salvation by works. We sometimes feel we need to “do more” so God will love us more. We should be more like Gen’s Y, Z and A, and accept our participation trophy of salvation through Jesus.

 Another complaint I here is that Gen’s Y, Z and A  think they should be rewarded for every little thing they do.

 But I say: Rewards for every little thing you do is EXACTLY what God offers. You do not have to do spectacular works or great miracles. Check out Matthew 10:42 [NIV] And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward. You read that right. You will get a reward for giving someone a cup of cold water!

 Sometimes, we in the older generations spend too much time beating ourselves up about the fact that we cannot do much – even if it is due to poor health, job loss or other financial problems, or old age. We forget that anything – ANYTHING - we do for LOVE of our fellow man and/or for love of God and/or for appreciation of all God has given will result in rewards in the Kingdom.

Gen’s Y, Z and A, you’ve got rewards coming for everything little thing you do in Jesus’ name. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.

 Another complaint I hear is that Gen’s Y, Z and A don’t want to “pay their dues” – don’t want to take the low level jobs and work their way up. They feel like they should be given real responsibility the minute they show up.

 But I say: Praise God that they do! We have enough people in the church who don’t feel they are worthy enough, smart enough, knowledgeable enough, have enough time for, or are called to preach the gospel or witness for Jesus.

 Daniel certainly did not feel that way. He and his friends were young (some say in their late teens) when they jumped right into making waves and standing out as captives in a strange land. They spoke up (yes, respectfully). There was no religious authority and no parents to tell them what to do. So they asked God and He answered.

 Gen’s Y, Z and A, I say don’t wait your turn. If all you know for sure is that Jesus died for our sins, go ahead and preach it. The church (that is the body of Christ or ecclesia – not a 401c3) needs you. People living in darkness need to know what you know, even if it is only a few things. Just make sure you do stay connected to God so you can keep growing and will then have more to share.

 Sadly, sometimes, we in the older generations let leaders convince us that we are still not ready to preach, teach or lead. We let ourselves be convinced that there are books and booklets to read and other hoops to jump through before we can be given permission to witness to our community. To the Gen’s Y, Z and A, I say, preach what you know and keep learning!

 Finally, some complain that Gen’s Y, Z and A they want to do “meaningful” work – they want to know why what they are doing matters. Some complain that you cannot convince a Gen Y, Z or A that handing out song books and straightening chairs is appropriate service for them.

 But I say: HALLELUJAH! Praise God that Gen’s Y, Z and A want to do something more than hand out song books and straighten chairs. The church needs people who are passionate about making a difference in the world. The Bible is full of examples of young people making a difference doing real, meaningful and gutsy things at all sorts of ages. Again, I encourage you to read about Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and also about Esther – they were all probably teenagers.

 We have plenty of folks who are willing to hand out song books and straighten chairs, even though they are capable of so much more. Maybe the older generations have bought into the fact that the “real work” is done by the ministry and broadcasters on the church sponsored programs.

 I believe that too many of us in the older generations have accepted that we are just supposed to pray, pay (tithes) and live good lives. We are content to do our week-day jobs without lying or stealing, and to leave the preaching to those ordained to it.

 Gen’s Y, Z and A: Do you want to preach the Gospel, feed the flock or help the poor? Figure out how you can and go for it. Don’t wait for permission. We older folks may get easily exhausted by your passion to make a difference. Try not to let us get in your way.

What we older folks can learn from Gen’s Y, Z and A: 

Ø  Salvation is yours. Get excited about and thankful for that participation trophy. It is yours for just showing up.

Ø  Great excited about rewards for everything you do – even if it is “only” making cards or praying for people. There are rewards for every little thing you do.

Ø  Share what you know now. Don’t wait to know everything.

Ø  Don’t wait your turn behind older generations (or the hierarchy of leadership) who don’t want to turn the reigns over to you or you may die waiting in line. If there isn’t a job for you, create one.

 What do you think of that? I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org