Cultivating Faith in the Lost Generation Z
Generation Z is the largest current generation. They are digital natives. They have never known a world without the internet, cell phones, & social media. They are irreligious and never feel safe. Millennials were introduced to school shootings & acts of terror. Generation Z has never known a world without it. They are growing up faster than ever.
Stats to Look at:
66% of young people who grow up in Christian churches end up walking away
35% of Generation Z believe that the church is irrelevant and hypocritical
75% of U.S. Christian teens read the Bible once a month or less
Generation Z is driven by/dependent on/addicted to technology with average use into 13 hours a day
Physical interaction between teens has dropped 40% since 2000. Despite social media, Generation Z is more isolated and less connected than ever before
34% of Generation Z identify as agnostic
Source: Ryan McDermott, Director of Students & Young Adults at Christ Fellowship Church
The telephone game has been around for years and most people are familiar with the concept. The game remains popular because it can be played by any age and in many situations. If you need a refresh, the purpose of the game is to relay a message from at the beginning of a line to the person at the end of the line. But something always happens to the message. In the end, it is either tweaked or completely different from its original form.
This is where we find ourselves with the faith of Generation Z (people roughly ages 25 and younger). More and more research from Barna and other credible research organizations portray a faith that is on decline at an alarming rate. But the hard reality is that this generation is standing at the end of the line listening to what we (the former generations) have been saying. Our children are a reflection of us.
“One generation shall commend your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.”
Psalm 145:4
Gen Z deserves a fairer shake, and the rest of us need a more nuanced understanding of where their beliefs and worldview originate. Scripture would declare that it is the responsibility of former generations to impart and instruct beliefs and worldview. So, if we want to know who is responsible for creating a generation of declining faith, we must look to ourselves.
Parents and ministry leaders must recognize that we have a part to play in the development of the beliefs and worldview of Generation Z. Gen Z is no different from prior generations. Their hearts are still idol factories, where they turn good things into a god thing. Left to their own desires and devices, they are going to seek after things that are wicked. So, what has changed?
We did. We let the desire for a better tomorrow for our kids drive us away from preparing them for the real world. With the best of intentions, we bubble wrapped our kids and created Disney-like experiences for them in our churches and homes, and then we wonder why they do not have a faith that is their own.
So, how do we move forward to help Gen Z follow Jesus in a post-everything world?
As parents, we need to recalibrate around what God says, not what we think. We need to redefine success from financial security to faithful obedience. We must model this faithful obedience in everyday life, not in 65 minutes on Sunday. If we wonder where our kids get their beliefs and behaviors, we must look in the mirror. Our children are the reflection of what we value and worship.
As ministry leaders, we need to remember that what we create is what we cultivate. We have to recognize that our model of ministry entertainment creates fun but cultivates a weak faith. If we are going to impact and influence the next generation, we must continually point to God’s story and the stories He continues to write and tell.
“One generation shall commend your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.”
Psalm 145:4
How are you telling the story of God’s works and mighty acts to the next generation?