I talk about twentysomethings a lot, I know. But hey, it's what I do and where my passion is. So cut me some slack! :-)

One thing that is very important when trying to understand young adults (whether you are one, or whether you are trying to minister to some) is that we have no brand loyalty.

I can best explain that by the example of cars and Baby Boomers (my parents' generation). Generally speaking, my parents are a one-brand type of people when it comes to cars. They buy American-made cars. It's either Ford or Chevy.

They didn't necessarily buy Ford and Chevy because they were the best car, but because they trusted those companies because they are US companies (unless they both tank before I post this). My parents are American, so they buy American-made cars.

Some people take brand loyalty a step further and only buy one make of car. Ever met someone who will only drive a Chevy? I have.

Well, the baby boomers did not transfer the quality of brand loyalty to their kids. Nope, not at all actually.

We have zero brand loyalty. I could care less about where a car was made or who made it as long as it's dependable, gets good gas mileage, and looks pretty cool.

Since this is true, churches are going to have to re-think the way they do church for this generation.

No longer do people go to church because their parents did or because they are loyal to their denomination. No, twentysomethings don't care what denomination, color, or creed the church is that they attend. They just care if the church speaks the same language and gives them a chance to do something they are concerned about.

There are a few negatives in this to be sure. The fact we have no brand loyalty makes us seem even more narcissistic, right? Everything is about us and if a certain brand doesn't provide then we'll go somewhere else.

Well, yes, you're right, but I think there are positives from this as well.

The fact we have no brand loyalty creates huge potential for long-standing barriers to be divided. Race barriers, language barriers, generation barriers.

Where our parents might say, "So and so goes to that church, so they do their thing and we do our thing," a twentysomething might say, "We're in this together, so lets do something together."

A greater good can be accomplished because of this "no brand loyalty" thing.

Lets capitalize.

Jacob