Ministry to Teen Millennials Frank Mercadante

Catholic Speakers Online 30 Apr 2009 PNCEA

Ministry with Millennial Teens

Clearing the haze surrounding todays teens

The World has Changed

Somethings happening. I dont know what it is, but I can feel it. Have you noticed anything?

The World has Changed

Peter Drucker: the transition to a postmodern world.

Ministry to Teen Millennials Frank Mercadante

Catholic Speakers Online 30 Apr 2009 PNCEA

The World has Changed

Mark Oestreicher: The call for substantive change in our present youth ministry assumptions and practices.

Millennial Generation Poll

Which of the following trends/characteristics has risen in number among teens since 1995?

Our civilization is doomed if the unheard-of actions of our younger generations are allowed to continue.

Cuneiform tablet found in the Sumerion city of Ur, 2000 BC

Ministry to Teen Millennials Frank Mercadante

Catholic Speakers Online 30 Apr 2009 PNCEA

Recent American Generations

G.I. Generation 1901 - 1924

Silent Generation 1925 - 1942 Baby Boomers Gen X Millennials 1943 - 1960 1961 - 1981 1982 - 2002

An Introduction to the Millennial Generation

Also called, Gen Y;Net; Digital; Echo Boomers; We The largest generation The most diverse generation The most educated generation

The Good News

Born & raised when America was positive about children. Kinderpolitics. The focus of many initiatives to reverse past negative teen trends. The most watched generation in history.

Ministry to Teen Millennials Frank Mercadante

Catholic Speakers Online 30 Apr 2009 PNCEA

Bring a weapon to school Get into a physical fight Commit Suicide

Optimistic Positive self image Generally happy Well behaved

Additional Millennial Generation Traits

Civic-minded & politically engaged More likely to volunteer Team-oriented Tolerant

Ministry to Teen Millennials Frank Mercadante

Catholic Speakers Online 30 Apr 2009 PNCEA

Generational Theory
Breaks with the generation nearest in age. Corrects the excesses of the mid-life generation. Fills the social role of the vacating generation.

Q&A

Millennials

Their Core Characteristics And Ministry Implications

Ministry to Teen Millennials Frank Mercadante

Catholic Speakers Online 30 Apr 2009 PNCEA

Special & Hovered Over

Description Have grown up feeling special Parents known as copter parents Have received trophies by virtue of participation Grew up with reality television

Special & Hovered Over

Implications Give teens special roles and purpose in the the parish community Plant seeds for BIG dreams Build highly relational parishes and youth ministries

Highly Connected and Influenced by their Parents

Description
90% report being close to their parents 86% trust their parents Parents are their heroes Boomers: In 1974, 40% of teens said theyd be better off without their parents Generation gap has narrowed significantly Tend to look a lot like their parents when it comes to religious involvement and practice

Ministry to Teen Millennials Frank Mercadante

Catholic Speakers Online 30 Apr 2009 PNCEA

Highly Connected and Influenced by their Parents

Implications
Offer more intergenerational & family ministry opportunities Focus on evangelization of parents Support parents in their role as primary religious educators of their children. Work collaboratively with other parish ministries to increase the vitality of the parish.

Experience-Oriented
Description Want to experience rather than know. Discern truth via experience, feelings & relationships as opposed to propositional Truth is pragmatic-- its what works pragmatic-- it its for me.

Experience-Oriented
Implications Design interactive, participatory experiences to reflect upon when catechizing Look at ways to embody the truth in the community verses only teach it propositionally Demonstrate the practical wisdom of the faith.

Ministry to Teen Millennials Frank Mercadante

Catholic Speakers Online 30 Apr 2009 PNCEA

Life is Rooted in Personal Choice

Description Have grown up making many personal involvement choices. See church as one of many choices. Do not respond enthusiastically to obligatory involvements.

Implications

Life is Rooted in Personal Choice

Intentionally build a strong affiliative connection with teens from childhood Avoid obligatory programs and the carrot mentality with older teens carrot carrot Focus on the three hooks of involvement: believing, belonging, & achieving competence

Questions and Answers

For more information or further discussion:

frank@cultivationministries.com www.cultivationministries.com