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Today's teens are known as the "millennial generation," or those born between 1977 and 1998.

Two experts -- Dave Oakes, youth minister at St. Paul the Apostle parish in Schenectady; and Dr. Charlotte McCorquodale of Ministry Training Source -- told The Evangelist that the millennial generation emphasizes celebrating diversity.

This differs from previous generations' goal of simply accepting diversity, they said: "Youth groups are a lot more intercultural today," Mr. Oakes explained. "Teens find fellowship despite their differences, whether age, color, or denomination."

The pair also asserted that teens today are less grateful for or less aware of how much they do have. "Generation X," or those born from 1965 to 1976, pushed to reject rules or accepted norms. The millennial generation takes this one step further and pushes to rewrite the rules completely.

While Generation X tended to mistrust institutions, the millennial generation tends to see institutions as irrelevant -- and, thus, many disassociate from the Church. Teens may not attend Mass regularly or consider themselves as part of the Catholic community.

Mr. Oakes also added that those who are active in the faith are showing a new level of passion and commitment that he hasn't seen before. "Those teens that are coming don't just come one day a week for Mass; they're here three or four times a week," he said.

Past generations may have become familiar with technology, but today's teens rely on it. Millennial teens are image-driven rather than being driven by words.

Millennial teenagers also take friendships very seriously; in many cases, friends become like family, trusted and spending much time together.

Music is also very important to teenagers today, even in their faith. When it comes to praise, Mr. Oakes sees music as the preferred form for today's teenagers: "It usually has to be modern-day Christian music, but it's how they connect best," he said.

(11/18/10)[[In-content Ad]]

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