Recently, Steph and I sat down to watch some TV. We ended up on YouTube and watched a video about Panera Bread. We walked away with this general idea: the (lack of) genuine fresh food at Panera is a great analogy for your church and Millennials.
Why are you picking on Panera Bread?
Because I’m one of those pesky Millennials! Actually, I technically fall in this weird sub generation between X and Y known as the “Oregon Trail Generation” or Xennials. But I digress, I’m not necessarily singling out Panera. Rather, I’m being critical of many different restaurants. As an example specific to Panera, several years ago Steph and I visited our local restaurant for a lunch date. She asked to customize her sandwich. We found out that, to accommodate her request, they would have to “defrost” her sandwich. It surprised us because we thought everything was made fresh on site.
I’m not going to sit here and nitpick every facet of their or any other restaurants’ operating practices. However, the more I’ve learned, the less I want to eat out. For example, many years ago we went to what was considered one of Lima’s “high class” restaurants for a date. Steph’s meal was burned beyond recognition and we asked if it could be replaced. The server let it slip: they could just pull another meal out of the freezer and microwave it for us.
In other words, Stephanie’s $15 plate of food was no different than popping a TV dinner in the microwave.
Authenticity
If asked to choose between Taco Bell and a taco truck, I’ll pick the taco truck every time. First, I want to support local business. Second, the flavor of an authentic street taco is far more satisfying to me. Finally, there’s a sense that the food I’m eating is authentic.
One of my favorite places to eat in Columbus is the North Market. If I want some authentic Vietnamese pho or some of the best falafel I’ve ever had, I know I can go to the North Market and get something authentic. I’ve been told that I should start a food blog more than once. Apparently, we’re recognized by family and friends as “foodies.” That could be fun, and maybe one day I’ll expand this blog to include food reviews with an emphasis on locations that serve authentic cuisine.
You know, if I used the word authentic one more time in this blog, my SEO algorithms might explode. But, I’m trying to prove a point.
If the church wants to win Millennials, we have to be more authentic!
Lifting up Jesus
Recently, I ate lunch with a friend. We discussed the importance of proclaiming Jesus. I mentioned to him that our actions have to align with our words for us to lift Jesus up effectively. God has placed my family into a season of waiting with an emphasis on trusting Him. In July, my unemployment checks stopped. We started living on savings. I watched as some unexpected expenses began to eat away at what I set aside.
I have an envelope of money that, if I had a regular job, would be considered my personal savings. It is included in our overall savings but kept separate. I felt God tell me that I wouldn’t have to pull from that envelope if I trusted Him.
Guess what? The week before I would need to do that, I closed my first sale. This week, I received my first sponsor. As I questioned where the next sale might come from, I received a phone call from someone looking to revamp their existing website.
God provides. I’m proclaiming Jesus with each step of faith. Each time the checkbook starts to look grim, I’m provided with an opportunity to replenish it. It’s insanely scary for me, the guy who wants to meticulously plan every step, to give up my control and let God direct me.
However, I cannot claim to trust God with my words without living it out through my actions. This is how I proclaim Jesus: by walking in faith.
How does this tie into Millennials?
Statistics tell a heartbreaking story. However, it might be more authentic if you closed your eyes and pictured the face of each person in your church between the ages of 23 and 38.
Now, picture all of those in the Baby Boomer generation in your church. Did you picture as many Millennials as Boomers? In most cases, I’d guess not.
Let me be clear: I am not claiming to be a church growth expert. There are larger cultural issues at play regarding church attendance. But listen to what Paul said in Romans 12:9.
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.
Please hear my heart on this. The church will never win my generation as long as it embraces divisive language in its daily rhetoric. I’m not talking about watering down the Gospel. Rather, I’m criticizing our willingness to adopt terms such as “snowflakes” or claiming that people are “just too sensitive nowadays.” We’re supposed to be trying to form relationships that allow us to eventually share the Gospel. Instead, we’re closing the door before it ever opens.
I admit, my generation is disruptive. Political correctness has reached new heights. Yes, some of us are glued to our screens.
Others of us are definitely misguided, but we’re searching. We’re looking for someone who doesn’t just say they care, but actually lives it and invests in our lives.
We’re also very loyal to brands that we believe in. I don’t want to take this blog too far down a “socialnomics” rabbit hole, so I’ll summarize. Professional marketers realize that Millennials can be a brand’s biggest advocate as well as their downfall.
And we can spot a figurative “Panera Church” a mile away.
What’s a Panera Church?
I define a Panera Church as one that says one thing yet does the other. Is Panera actually a good place to get a fresh, authentic meal? Likewise, if we say we love everyone, shouldn’t our actions show it? I’ve focused a lot today on Millennials, but this applies to so many others: opposing political parties, lifestyles we don’t agree with, religions contrary to our faith.
When we see sin in someone else’s life, shouldn’t our first thought be “how can I show Jesus to them?” A Panera Church will say we love everyone, see the sin in others, make a disparaging comment, and move on.
You’re being kinda harsh today!
A while back, a friend texted me. They had a dream where I said things exactly as I have in this blog. They told me that it had a ripple effect across the church body as a whole.
I debated not publishing this blog because I didn’t want to cause problems. I’m still a relatively young web ministry, and I’m trying to build a freelance business. “If I say something too harsh, people won’t support me anymore. I might even lose customers or potential sponsors!”
Is that authentic? Am I being a Panera Jeremiah by saying I trust God to provide, yet not having the courage to say what He wants me to?
It comes down to a four-letter word.
Authenticity is a part of this word. Unconditional is another part of it.
Love
Do we love others the way we say we do? This isn’t some radical new idea. Jesus said that loving others is one of the two greatest commandments. Later, John asks us how we can love God if we don’t love others.
Loving others doesn’t mean condoning their actions. Rather, even those who hate us, those who persecute us, those who wish we would go away: we have to still love them.
Maybe, just maybe, if we can all let go of ourselves and embrace God’s love towards others, we might have a chance at winning my generation. The Millennials who desperately want to be shown something authentic.