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Reaching Millennials: Proven Methods for Engaging a Younger Generation
Proven Methods for Churches to Attract and Engage Young PeopleOne question faces every church leader looking to the How do we attract younger generations? Many things have been tried, but in this book, church consultant David Stark shares practical methods that have been proven to work in a variety of congregations.Stark helps leaders identify and use their church's strengths to engage millennials, even those with negative views of Christianity. Based on principles that built the church of the New Testament, he shows how churches today can reach out to their communities in ways that align with the natural, positive interests of young people.
166 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 19, 2016
11 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 3, 2016
As a millennial myself I felt like the author had a good understanding of what makes millennials tick. I really appreciated his critique of the subculture that often develops within a church. One of the biggest dangers of this little subculture is becoming too comfortable or too busy doing church activities that you don't develop relationships with unbelievers. Unfortunately I really felt like Stark missed the mark when it comes to this book. If we really want to reach millennials then where we really need to start with is prayer. This was completely lacking in the book. The entire tone of the book also really annoyed me. Please note that I did receive a review copy of this book from Bethany House. All opinions are my own.
May 12, 2016
a few helpful insights. easy read. the summation comments at the end of the chapters were the best parts.
August 21, 2017
Everybody is looking for a method. There are worse books on methods, especially "proven" methods, which amount to a soulless repackaging of prescribed programming.
The book poses some useful questions and offers a thoughtful framework and several helpful insights. I appreciated the inclusion of various passages from the gospels and the accompanying discussion.
Ultimately, however, I feel like the book ends where it might more profitably begin: "God is the one who draws people to faith, and our job is to engage them, not draw them. Of course the first step in doing any of this is prayer.... We are not going to accomplish anything for the gospel without God being involved every step of the way." Of course, that's not a method or program and probably harder to market.
The book poses some useful questions and offers a thoughtful framework and several helpful insights. I appreciated the inclusion of various passages from the gospels and the accompanying discussion.
Ultimately, however, I feel like the book ends where it might more profitably begin: "God is the one who draws people to faith, and our job is to engage them, not draw them. Of course the first step in doing any of this is prayer.... We are not going to accomplish anything for the gospel without God being involved every step of the way." Of course, that's not a method or program and probably harder to market.
June 10, 2017
The book was ok. It had some small good parts to it, but not a whole lot that would make me give it 4, or 5 stars. It seemed more to me as a strategy to get millennials into the church apart from proclaiming the Gospel to them. I understand that "outsiders" don't understand the language of the Bible, or the language that we may use as Christians, but that is mainly because an outsider's mind (unbeliever) has not been converted to faith in Christ.
August 4, 2022
Packed full of great opportunities!
This book is exactly what the dying holiness churches need, as the youth continue to exit in droves. The methods to reach outsiders are clear and presented with evidence of their success. Strongly recommend for any one wanting to reach the younger generation.
This book is exactly what the dying holiness churches need, as the youth continue to exit in droves. The methods to reach outsiders are clear and presented with evidence of their success. Strongly recommend for any one wanting to reach the younger generation.
June 22, 2016
Many authors have written about the Millennials as “experts” in understanding that generation. David Stark utilized research done by others, as well as his own experiences, to write his version of how to reach the millennials. In many ways, I wished that he did not use the tag “Millennials” in this book. What I am afraid of is that a well written book on how to draw people into local churches maybe overlooked because of the label. The assessments that he makes about the Millennials and the “methods” that he suggests, can be applied to the general public of this age, not simply to the generation that were born after 1980s.
Stark’s admonition that the reader should not skip the first section (Mind Set), before jumping into Methodology (part 2) should be heeded. The “Category of Revelation” (Not God, General Revelation, Disputable Matters in the Church, the Law, and Gospel), are helpful in not only understanding the mindset of people today, but to orient the reader to what are the issues for those who are not in the church today. Although the methodologies are helpful, I felt the first part to be stronger than the second. However, the ideas are helpful to make the reader think beyond what is written in the book itself.
Overall, I recommend all pastors and ministry leaders to read this book, whether they feel that their church is doing a good job at engaging people of today or not.
Disclaimer: This book was provided to me courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through Graf-Martin Communications in exchange for an honest review.
Stark’s admonition that the reader should not skip the first section (Mind Set), before jumping into Methodology (part 2) should be heeded. The “Category of Revelation” (Not God, General Revelation, Disputable Matters in the Church, the Law, and Gospel), are helpful in not only understanding the mindset of people today, but to orient the reader to what are the issues for those who are not in the church today. Although the methodologies are helpful, I felt the first part to be stronger than the second. However, the ideas are helpful to make the reader think beyond what is written in the book itself.
Overall, I recommend all pastors and ministry leaders to read this book, whether they feel that their church is doing a good job at engaging people of today or not.
Disclaimer: This book was provided to me courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through Graf-Martin Communications in exchange for an honest review.
June 5, 2016
What I liked:
The book provided great outreach suggestions and strategies for churches to implement with practical examples of how they had been implemented by other churches.
The author stirred up my passion and enthusiasm for sharing the Gospel and reaching my peer group for Christ.
As an older millennial myself, I could easily relate to the author’s description of the millennial generation as a whole. Regardless of the readers’ age, understanding what makes the millennial generation tick is helpful for reaching them with the Gospel.
What I disliked:
Most of the strategies could only be implemented by a church or Christian organization and not by an individual.
While many of the strategies I would be eager for my church to embrace, there were several seeker-oriented worship plans I question. I was not thoroughly convinced the biblical tests used in the support of these methods were taken thoroughly in context.
Overall Star Rating:
Four out of 5 stars for pastors or those in full-time church ministry
Three-and-a-half out of 5 stars for those not employed by the church (or volunteering heavily of their time with an organized group in outreach capacities)
**I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
The book provided great outreach suggestions and strategies for churches to implement with practical examples of how they had been implemented by other churches.
The author stirred up my passion and enthusiasm for sharing the Gospel and reaching my peer group for Christ.
As an older millennial myself, I could easily relate to the author’s description of the millennial generation as a whole. Regardless of the readers’ age, understanding what makes the millennial generation tick is helpful for reaching them with the Gospel.
What I disliked:
Most of the strategies could only be implemented by a church or Christian organization and not by an individual.
While many of the strategies I would be eager for my church to embrace, there were several seeker-oriented worship plans I question. I was not thoroughly convinced the biblical tests used in the support of these methods were taken thoroughly in context.
Overall Star Rating:
Four out of 5 stars for pastors or those in full-time church ministry
Three-and-a-half out of 5 stars for those not employed by the church (or volunteering heavily of their time with an organized group in outreach capacities)
**I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
July 15, 2016
Very easy read, not a lecture on how bad the church is and that the church is evil (some books about reaching youth feel like that). Found it useful.
April 10, 2017
Hopeful and Helpful
If you work at engaging Millennials with the gospel you will find this book hopeful and helpful. Chock full of ideas on how to connect Millennials to the church and engage them with the good news is found here. This book is both practical and tactical for reaching Millennials. Give it a read.
If you work at engaging Millennials with the gospel you will find this book hopeful and helpful. Chock full of ideas on how to connect Millennials to the church and engage them with the good news is found here. This book is both practical and tactical for reaching Millennials. Give it a read.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews