Craig Groeschel on Reaching The Next Generation

To reach the next generation for Christ, we must be three things:

Conversational.
Missional.
Generational.

Let’s start today with conversational. This generation craves intimacy in relationships. They want to know and be known.

Too many Western Christians are turned off (or intimidated by) the young, tech savvy, tattooed, and pierced young adults. Some churches preach against these outward appearances. Others are striving full-time to be “cool” and “relevant” believing the right environment, best light show, or hot sermon series will win the young adults to Christ.

Both these strategies miss a key ingredient. This generation wants to talk. Conversation matters. Relationships matter. Intimacy matters.

Here are some rules of conversation:

Before they listen to you, they want to know if you’re listening to them.
If you’ll get to know them, they will listen to you.

If you’re quick to judge, don’t bother trying to connect.

It doesn’t matter if you’re cool or relevant. It matters if you bring the real you. Fake is the worst thing you can bring.

The fifth conversation might be the difference maker.
In my “Christian Witness Training” course at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, we were trained to knock on doors, present the gospel, and ask people to pray the sinners’ prayer. While this might occasionally still work, it isn’t a likely path to life change. This generation builds trust slowly. If you don’t plan on having a third, fourth, or fifth conversation, you might not want to spend a lot of time on the first.

They want to be loved.
My most consistent conversations with 20-somethings happens in the gym. After getting to know some young men, I genuinely care for them and believe in them. I try to tell them often, “I’m proud of you… I’m pulling for you… I believe in you… I love you.” They seem hungry for acceptance and affirmation and respond well to sincere Christian love.

What are your thoughts?

(If it is helpful, tell us how old you are.)