Sorry, But I Am Not Cool

Note:  I am about to make generalizations about people of different generations.  I know these are generalizations.  I realize that your cousin’s neighbor’s sister’s best-friend’s roommate may not fit these generalizations.  That is why they are called generalizations, not laws.

I have come to the realization that I am not cool.  I had a nagging suspicion this was true, but as I have had time to reflect on the birth of my second child, I know now it is official.  I once was cool, at least in my own way.  People came to me to find out about the newest films, or the next musical artist that was about to break out into the big time.  But now?  Nothing.  I am not cool.

Here is some of my evidence.  A few months ago, a friend gave me a ride in his new, black Chevrolet Camaro (a fairly sporty car, for those unfamiliar).  Honestly, my first thought was “There is no way you could get two cars seats into this thing!”  Whereas I may have once been the go-to for the latest movies, I have only seen one movie in theatres since 2011 (and that movie was “Ender’s Game”).  South Park poked fun at Lorde last night, and while I knew her name, I honestly had never heard any of her songs.  And perhaps the most damning evidence of all:  when Apple gave me the newest free U2 album, I was appreciative.

I am not cool.  Yet, I am somehow sought after by organizations and churches, as a sort of young people Moses.  I will lead them to the Promised Land of Millennials.  Advertisers salivate over me (I’m under 35 and have disposable income).  Churches believe they will appear more relevant if I am associated with them (I know “the Twitter”).  Organizations believe that if I serve on their board, they will somehow appear more relevant to the younger generations.

Friends, if we expect me to solve our problems reaching out to young people, we have already lost.

One part of the problem is we usually have not asked ourselves why we are so desperate for young people in the first place.  Why is every church I have pastored interested in young people?  Is it because we have a heart for the next generation?  Not really.  We are burned out.  We are tired of giving and supporting the church.  We hope a new, younger generation will come and take over.  They can do everything the way we have always done it, and foot the bill.  We can sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of our labors.

This plan is doomed from the start.  No one is interested in being a substitute, or designated bill payer.  If this is our primary reason to want to recruit young people, our attitude sinks our own ship.

The other part of the problem is a complete misunderstanding of what people, especially young people, seek.  While it certainly helps to have some young people to attract other young people, that is not the answer.  Out of an organization like the church, young people seek meaning and relevance more than they seek youth.  They want to know that a church (or library, or store, or non-profit) provides value in their lives.  They want to know that it has a purpose and vision.  They want to know that they are valued in that space as more than a potential customer.  If the organization does not do those things, it does not matter who their “poster boy for youth” is.

So, let me assure all of you that I am not cool.  And I am surprisingly okay with it.  I gave up on that awhile ago.  So if you want to seek out the millennial generation, do not start with recruiting me to serve on your board, or star on your poster.  I am not that cool.  Start with offering something of true value.