| Bishop's CornerA
Welcome To The Millennials
By Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker
 In
a recent interview with the magazine "About Campus," one of
the most respected observers of generational change described the
characteristics of the Millennial generation. William Strauss, who with
Neil Howe is the author of "Millennials Rising: The Next
Generation," talked about the young persons born since 1982.
Strauss said that Millennials have seven attributes:
"conventional, confident, special, sheltered, pressured, achieving,
and team oriented." This is a generation with lower crime rates and
higher scores on achievement tests. Its members get along with their
parents, cherish teamwork with their peers, and seek opportunities to
serve their community and be involved in politics. They want to find new
ways to affirm tradition, and they reject a popular culture that now is
often characterized by what Strauss calls "nastiness and
grossness."
The Millennials may turn out not only to be different from Boomers
and Generation X, but also to be similar to the G.I. Generation or
"the greatest generation" during World War II. Strauss
believes Millennials are filling a void that is being created by the
passing of the G.I. Generation. They are poised to become "great
institution builders." Strauss is not surprised by this development
in our society since he believes that every generation has a tendency to
correct the perceived excesses of its parents (who, in this case, are
the Boomers). Says Strauss, "There is a seasonality to life and
history that is in many ways a very positive thing."
Since Strauss’ observations about this generation were made before
Sept. 11 his comparison of the Millennials to the G.I. Generation seems
even more astute. This generation is entering adulthood during a time of
international crisis and national anxiety. The challenges facing us now
may heighten this generation’s awareness of the importance of social
unity and purpose and inspire it to want to strengthen fragile social
institutions. It may also educate this already politically motivated
generation to be dedicated to address the systemic causes of global
instability and conflict.
Local congregations should provide them with opportunities to learn a
deeper knowledge of the living tradition of the Christian faith and
develop their skills of leadership in the church. The church’s
ministry to young people beyond the local congregation, especially camps
and campus ministry, will become even more important than in the past.
Pastors and lay persons should learn better how to identify persons who
may be called of God to enter ordained ministry.
The next "greatest generation" may be poised to bring to
American society and all of its institutions a higher level of
achievement of greatness and moral sensibility. Its members will respond
to a church that offers a high expectation of Christian belief and
practice and an opportunity to serve others in the name of Jesus Christ.
Welcome the Millennium Generation! We say to its members, "We have
been waiting for you, and God has a place for you in Christ’s church
and in God’s purposes for the world."
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