Olivet Nazarene University Digital Commons @ Olivet Ed.D. Dissertations School of Graduate and Continuing Studies 5-2018 ATTRACTING MILLENNIALS: AN EXAMINATION OF MILLENNIAL PARTICIPATION IN ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCHES Kenneth J. Hansen Olivet Nazarene University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.olivet.edu/edd_diss Part of the Christianity Commons Recommended Citation Hansen, Kenneth J., "ATTRACTING MILLENNIALS: AN EXAMINATION OF MILLENNIAL PARTICIPATION IN ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCHES" (2018). Ed.D. Dissertations. 117. https://digitalcommons.olivet.edu/edd_diss/117 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies at Digital Commons @ Olivet. It has been accepted for inclusion in Ed.D. Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Olivet. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ATTRACTING MILLENNIALS: AN EXAMINATION OF MILLENNIAL PARTICIPATION IN ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCHES by Kenneth J. Hansen Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Olivet Nazarene University School of Graduate and Continuing Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education in Ethical Leadership May 2018 ©2018 Kenneth J. Hansen All Rights Reserved i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation is the culmination of a life-long dream. But dreams are never accomplished in isolation; they require the help of others along the way who are willing to believe in you, encourage you, and motivate you when needed. I am grateful, that throughout my life, God has surrounded me with people who have invested in me. I would like to thank my parents, Ken and Bev Hansen, who believed in my potential and allowed me to pursue my dreams. I want to thank Tony and Mary Hoisington, who spent countless hours teaching me what passionate devotion to Christ looked like, and shaping my ministry values and philosophy. I would like to thank my uncle Bill Putnam, who inspired and role modeled for me at a very early age a love for reading and learning. I owe a tremendous debt to my grandmother, Stella, who prayed unceasingly for me until her death at 102 years of age. I would like to extend a special thank you to some very special people in my life: Mama Ernestine, Mama Maria, Mama Grace, Mama Francis, Mama Cathy and Nate Martin, Garland and Douglas Wilson, Carl and Stacey Brown, Bob and Paulette Horvath, David and Maureen Shafer, GTM (Jim, Debi, and Lavon), Robert Stearns, Leon Timbo, Chuck and Diane Dobbins, Dwayne and Kathy Brothers, Gene and Julie Reynolds, Phil and Vickie Epperson, and the others who stood by Chrystal and I during the darkest time of our lives and refused to give up on us. I am forever grateful for their love, grace and support. ii I would also like to thank my amazing Living Water Community Church family, who I had the privilege of serving for 25 years. They encouraged and believed that I could and would become a doctor. I would also like to thank you to Pastor Kevin Kringel and my Life Church family. I want to thank Dr. Houston Thompson and my professors in the Ed.D. program, especially Dr. Stan Tuttle, along with my advisor, Dr. Bonnie Perry for their encouragement, guidance, and support throughout this journey. Special thanks to Nicole Sidney, who edited every paper I wrote, including this dissertation. I could not have completed this without her; she was a gift from God. Most importantly, I would like to thank my amazing wife Chrystal and my children, Ryan and his amazing wife Grace, Renee, and Eric for allowing me to fulfill this lifelong dream. They have sacrificed so much so that I could complete this journey. Chrystal, without your patience, understanding, and belief in me, I would not be who I am today. You have stood by me through thick and thin, and have sacrificed more than anyone can imagine. Thank you for standing by me and allowing me to pursue my dreams. I love you. And finally, to my granddaughter Braelynn and my future grandchildren, may my example inspire you to follow Christ and his plans for your life, and become lifelong learners. Remember, nothing is impossible for those who believe and work hard. Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman (tested by trial) who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (Amplified Bible) iii ABSTRACT The greatest decline in church attendance of any age group has occurred among Millennials born between 1980 and 2000. This decline has created concern about the future of the church. The lack of understanding about Millennials by church leaders has hampered the ability to attract and maintain Millennial church participation. The purpose of this study was to determine what, if any, characteristics caused Millennials to be attracted to certain Assembly of God churches in Illinois and not others. Fifty-four Assembly of God churches that fell one standard deviation above and one standard deviation below the Illinois Assemblies of God Millennial attendance mean of 18% were asked to participate in this study. Pastors and Millennials aged 18 to 34 from participating churches were asked to take an online quantitative survey that utilized the U.S. Congregational Life, Faith Communities Today, and Seventh Day Adventist Young Adult surveys. The research questions used in the current study explored the experiences and preferences of the Millennial participants. The researcher found four statistically significant characteristics that were most related to Millennial church attendance in high attraction Assembly of God churches in Illinois: the presence of a strong discipleship ministry, the presence of intentional ministry to Millennials, the presence of technology, and an openness to innovation and change. The current study provides church leaders with a knowledge and understanding of the preferences and characteristics that attracted Millennials to high attraction Assembly of God churches in Illinois. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page I. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................1 Statement of the Problem .........................................................................................9 Background ............................................................................................................11 Research Questions ................................................................................................17 Description of Terms .............................................................................................18 Significance of the Study .......................................................................................19 Process to Accomplish ...........................................................................................20 Summary ................................................................................................................29 II. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE .......................................................................30 Introduction ............................................................................................................30 An Overview: Who are the Millennials? ...............................................................33 Millennial Views and Values .................................................................................41 Postmodernism .......................................................................................................41 Narcissism ..............................................................................................................46 Less Empathetic .....................................................................................................48 Entitled ...................................................................................................................48 Tolerance................................................................................................................49 Authority ................................................................................................................52 v Chapter Page Marriage and Family ..............................................................................................53 Racial Equality .......................................................................................................55 Education ...............................................................................................................55 Technology ............................................................................................................57 Workplace ..............................................................................................................60 Relationships ..........................................................................................................62 Entertainment .........................................................................................................65 Civic Engagement ..................................................................................................68 Church and Religion ..............................................................................................70 The Rules of Attraction ..........................................................................................75 Community ............................................................................................................76 Hospitality ..............................................................................................................78