Generation Y is the so-called "options' generation. They are renowned for their lack of long-term commitment, and consistently demonstrate a last-minute attitude to life. Every date is penciled in, and every commitment is flexible.
As a result, it can be an uphill battle managing teams of volunteers. It can be a challenge getting people to commit to assist in a one-off event, let alone join a leadership team for any extended period of time.
There are two obvious solutions to this problem.
The first solution is to try and work within the new way of thinking and acting. We can go with the flow of the Gen Y paradigm. The flexibility of Gen Y can be of great assistance in ministry contexts where the needs of the ministry easily change. So, for example, a flexible Gen Y leader will be happy to be a youth leader one year, and switch to children's ministry the next.
The alternative solution is to swim against the tide by inviting leaders to commit to a longer period of time in the ministry. The advantages of flexibility can easily be outweighed by the lack of continuity of relationship, and the loss of experience. In the world of youth ministry especially, it is extremely valuable for a leader to commit to two or three years of service, especially if they can stay in pastoral leadership over the same group of teenagers.
So, even though the Gen Y might initially find the prospect of a three-year tenure to be unattractive, they will ultimately reap the fruit of their commitment, not only in their own lives but in the lives of the people they lead.
Yet, whether or not you seek a flexible or extended commitment to the ministry, it is still necessary to get leaders to sign up in the first place. Fortunately, the Gen Y is wired in such a way that creates in them an inbuilt attractiveness to causes. All you need to do is capture their imagination, and the recruits will follow.
For example, compare these two ways of recruiting a new leader for this year's youth ministry. The traditional way of enlisting volunteers would sound something like this:
"We're looking for leaders to be a part of our youth program. A number of vacancies exist in our ministries. Please advise if you are interested in this role."
In contrast, the Gen Y approach might be more like this:
"We are in a real need of a woman to lead the ministry to the Year 9 girls, in this most important and fragile year of their life. Are you up for the challenge?"
Either way, it is vital that we recognise that a person's willingness to serve will come about as a consequence of the ministry of the Holy Spirit as he works to move people from selfishness towards other-person-centredness. We must continue to pray for recruits, and to preach the word of God as a means of generating a willingness in them to serve. Yet, we should also be wise in the way we invite people to participate in the ministry. Gen Y's are ready to serve" but any apparent unwillingness may be due to the way we ask, not the role itself.
Jodie McNeill is the Director of Anglican Youthworks Camping and Conferencing.
