I still like the movie “Field of Dreams.” I must confess that I get choked up every time I watch the end of the movie where Ray (played by Kevin Costner) asks his dad, “Hey, Dad! You want to have a catch?”
Early in the movie, Ray hears a mysterious voice: “If you build it, he will come.” In response, he builds a baseball field in the Iowa cornfield near his house and witnesses a spectral baseball team that converges on the field to play ball.
Sadly, a number of churches approach their communities with a “Field of Dreams” mindset regarding their facilities. Although they are not evangelistic and have dusty baptisteries, they believe renovating their facilities or building new facilities “to attract young people” will cause Millennials and young families to flock to their church buildings in droves.
However, when we look at what Millennials actually say is important to them regarding the Church, we see a much different picture. Here is a short list of some of the things Millennials say attract them to churches:
1. They want preaching that is not shallow. Millennials want biblical preaching that asks and answers hard questions in life. To appeal to this generation of young people, preaching must have depth.
2. They want authentic worship. Young adults are not as concerned that churches utilize a particular style of music in worship. They are attracted to authentic worship that reflects the culture of that local congregation. They do want worship to have both authenticity and quality.
3. They want community. Millennials are attracted to congregations that promote biblical community where church members actively participate in making disciples. They also want multigenerational small groups where they can learn from believers who are further along in age and spiritual maturity.
4. They want community ministry involvement. Young adults desire to serve in churches that are actively ministering in their communities. They want to address social needs and concerns within the area surrounding the church. Millennials also are concerned with justice issues around the world and want to participate in churches that address these issues.
5. They want church buildings that are functional. Millennials aren’t so concerned with being a part of churches that have flashy or “cool” worship centers. They will worship at churches that are being the Church, regardless of the style of the building or the worship center.
Rather than focusing on renovating or building worship space to attract young people or young families, churches should concentrate on making disciples of people in their surrounding communities and being authentically biblical congregations.
To be growing and healthy congregations, churches must consist of members who regularly share the Gospel in their everyday interactions and relationships with their family members, friends and acquaintances. Such congregations are welcoming and open, but they are led by pastors who do not shy away from preaching biblical sermons that address hard topics or tough questions.
You can build it, but if you are not an authentic church that prioritizes building Gospel relationships and making disciples, they won’t come.