So your church has a Small Group Ministry.

Each group seems to be doing reasonably well, but something’s missing. The young adult segment of the church has not yet fully committed to small groups.

This is a problem.

How can we draw Millennials into Small Groups? And how will we keep their interest and involvement?

Unfortunately, some of us look down at our Millennial generation, believing they value fame and money over community. However, this opinion is often formed from pop-culture, not from personal interactions with young people.

Because of these opinions, we often shy away from the thought that each small group needs a couple of Hipsters, but we do.

Here’s 3 Keys To Connect Millennials:

1. Consistent Authenticity

Millennials have grown up in a marketed world, full of empty promises. They’re not duped by big organizations and corporations, but they’ve learned to live with them. The church is a large organization, that often appears to have elements of consumerism.

Small group ministry can be the place to start curbing scepticism about church organization. Authentic relationships are established early on in small group.

This authenticity is created through us as leaders; first (1) by showing kindness without expectation and second (2) by being willing to share about our personal lives. This type of authenticity puts us on the path to our next component; trust.

2. Developed Trust

There’s no magic formula to gaining the Me Generation’s trust. Most Millennials value the simple truth. Gaining their trust isn’t about niceties, but the basics; invite them, have food and ask questions. They’ll tell you straight if they’re not interested.

Once they arrive, genuine interest in their values and viewpoints will quickly build their trust. But don’t forget, we can’t expect others to open up if we don’t.

As leaders, we must be vulnerable with what we share, in order to build the trust of anyone in our small group. Our vulnerability will draw them into the conversation and permit them to reciprocate. As a leader, setting this example will always help the overall trust of your group.

3. Organic Growth

By their own choice, Millennials are often well-travelled or at least very aware of the world around them. i.e. The world is a smaller to Millennials.

Why does this matter in regard to growth? It matters because young people often have itchy feet. And in case you’re wondering, this isn’t about lack of commitment.

The Millennial commitment will most likely lean-to something greater than themselves and greater than a small group. They want their life to be attached to more. They want to be part of something bigger.

If the small group is not maturing and growing, the mind of the Millennial will sense the stagnation before anyone else. If plans to plant are no strategically put in place, they’ll be the first to walk.

Growth is always the hardest part.

Once a group has reached 8-10 adults (regardless of generational lines), it is time to plant. Nobody wants to hear it, but it’s necessary to keep forward motion.

Furthermore, once a group has been meeting for 2 years with no growth, it is time for a refresh. At this stage, new people are hesitant to join, because the group knows each other so well that the signs of in-growth are evident to any newcomer.

Unfortunately, in many cases, the people in the group struggle to see this evidence of this in-growth. Or if they do, they neglect to acknowledge it.

We have to keep creating new relationships.

These new relationships should be cross generational and cross cultural. This can only happen when a small group specifically chooses growth and eventually, plants a new group.

Join the Conversation, Leave Your Thoughts

How have you reached the Millennial generation in your small group ministry?