As I’m now in full-blown dreaming mode about the kingdom opportunities in the Green Hills area of Nashville, my heart turns toward Generation Z. “Gen Z” encompasses all of those born after 1995, and you may be tempted to lump in Gen Z’ers with Millennials, but the latest research indicates that Gen Z’ers are developing a number of characteristics unique to their own generation. This may be related to their native use of technology.
Millennials were the digital pioneers, but Gen Z was born right into the world of peak technological innovation. In fact, they know no other world.
I don’t have to tell you that technological sophistication is mixed bag. Having a world of information at my fingertips, awesome. Dealing with the isolation and underdeveloped social skills linked directly with too much screen time, not so awesome. I’ll bet you’re thinking about some Gen Z’ers in your own life even as you read this. I’m certainly thinking about Joshua and his friends as I write it.
Two core characteristics seem to drive the daily habits of Generation Z. One is security, and the other is pragmatism. And the two are likely related, as the spending patterns of Gen-Z’ers seem to indicate their desire to avoid some of the financial pitfalls which faced their parents, during the Great Recession (2007-2009) for example. Gen Z’ers seem profoundly concerned about job stability, and they’re shaping up to be more conservative spenders than the previous generation.
Of much concern to us as the church should be the tremendous feelings of loneliness and stress reported by many Gen Z’ers. We’re likely in the middle of a national mental health crisis in fact. Social media can feel like a friend but behave like a foe when it comes to issues of self-worth. My world feels lousy and unraveled, while everyone else’s world looks not only intact but perfect. And in the Twitterverse of 2022, nearly every news item shapes up to be a verbal bloodbath of some sort. Nobody relents. Nobody backs down. Nobody seems to display any calming fruits of the Spirit. No wonder we’re stressed!
Now I can’t back up this next observation with irrefutable data, but I’m noticing among Gen Z’ers a general left-lean politically (like Millennials), but a frustration with buying unquestionably into any party line. In the current gender wars, for example, I’m seeing a willingness of some Gen Z’ers to admit what the little boy exclaimed in the famous folktale: “The emperor has no clothes.” Personally, I see this new skepticism as a positive development.
I’ll share with you here some more reasons why I feel optimistic about Generation Z, and why I believe that we, as Christ’s body, should pursue them to the ends of the earth …
1. Gen Z acknowledges the brokenness of the world. I’m quite sure that COVID-19 sealed the deal, but it’s not difficult to convince a Gen Z’er that something is dreadfully wrong on Planet Earth. That’s the first important step in presenting the gospel, isn’t it? With Gen Z, it’s nearly done for us.
2. Gen Z wants to engage in important issues. If you can wrap your mind around this, most Gen Z’ers don’t have a close relationship with even one legitimate Christ follower. They have many misconceptions about what Christians believe, and why we believe them. Here’s our chance to let them know that we care deeply about the matters that concern them: things like personal dentity and purpose, justice, and the meta narrative of life. (We know the One who’s writing the only meaningful story.)
3. Gen Z demonstrates a willingness to study the Bible in settings where they feel relationally comfortable. The Biblical literacy of most Gen Z’ers is low, but a number of evangelical churches are reporting that the attendance numbers tracking unbelieving members of the Gen Z community in small groups are up. Hallelujah! That’s a great start, and one for which you and I should be thankful.
4. Gen Z is willing to talk about God. They tend not to shy away from hard conversations, and report a sincere willingness to share their convictions with others. Perhaps, in the good providence of God, we have a missionary generation in the making! Stranger things have happened.
5. Gen Z can help inspire us to make a meaningful impact in the world. In general, Gen Z’ers are leery of all-talk-and-no-action religion. We should be as well (James 2:14-17).
6. Gen Z presents a critical gospel opportunity for us: we can increase and strengthen our online presence. I’m truly excited about continuing to explore some of these possibilities with the saints of Green Hills Community Church.
7. Gen Z is searching for authentic community. They’re craving it in fact. They may not identify this longing as spiritual in nature (in fact they likely won’t), but our Lord Jesus can empower us to love them so deeply that we overcome their atheistic and agnostic tendencies with His grace and truth. (They simply need us to be real.)
Friends, let’s rally and welcome them home!
Pastor Charles
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