Date
7-15-2024
Department
Rawlings School of Divinity
Degree
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
Chair
Danny Allen
Keywords
millennials, discipleship, marketplace discipleship, relational discipleship, Christian community, small group, spiritual growth
Disciplines
Christianity
Recommended Citation
Steele, Marcus D., "Millennials in the Marketplace: Transitioning from Marketplace Discipleship to Relational Discipleship at New Life Community" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 5792.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5792
Abstract
This action research project seeks to resolve the problem of marketplace discipleship superseding relational discipleship among the millennials connected to New Life Community, a house church ministry in Hilliard, Ohio. For ministry gatherings at New Life Community, such as worship services, there was a noticeable decline in overall participation from the largest demographic of the ministry, the millennial generation. However, when there were ministry gatherings specific to marketplace initiatives that focused on career and entrepreneurship, most, if not all, of the millennials participated. This selective participation by millennials resulted from ministry gatherings that were too infrequent and needed more opportunities to establish relationships, including intergenerational ones. The purpose of this action research study is to increase the incidence of gatherings and establish intergenerational relationships to improve relational discipleship among millennials. Themes were extrapolated from contemporary literature, which provided insight into how to disciple millennials who will play a significant and influential role in the body of Christ and the marketplace. An eight-week intervention was designed, which included more frequent ministry gatherings, fellowship opportunities, intergenerational interaction, and an emphasis on teaching biblical discipleship. Nine millennials that met specific criteria participated in the project. Qualitative data was obtained through questionnaires and interviews, and quantitative data was obtained through surveys. The results of this project indicated success in transitioning millennials from marketplace discipleship to relational discipleship, which also showed an improvement in their spiritual formation, discipline, and growth.
