Today we conclude our series of blogs on Gen Z culture (those born 1998-2015), asking this central question: based on all the emerging research on this new youth generation, will the church be able to reach them?  Twenty or more years from now when they are adults, bringing children into the world (if Jesus tarries), will the church be there or extinct?  Is there a hope and a future for them and the church?

Using research from the Barna Group and Impact 360 Institute (their book, Gen Z, 103-106), we find that in some ways the church possesses opportunities to reach this new generation because the fabric of their current belief connects with certain themes of the Christian Gospel:

• Diversity: The Bible’s presentation that Christ came to save the “world” where there are people from all races, nationalities, and ethnic groups saved by the blood of Christ worshipping in heaven (pictured in Revelation) is a belief that pleases Gen Z youth. They have been brought up in a “global world” where all races are welcomed at the table, and the gospel’s portrayal of this fact connects with them.
• Compassion: The Bible’s sympathy and concern for the widow, the orphan, the divorced, the alien, the sojourner, and the displaced find sympathy with Gen Z youth, as many of their friends and schoolmates have suffered through the pains of divorce, family separations, financial loss, death by accident, overdose, or disease in their early lives. A church that expresses sympathy in appropriate ways and times can find great reception from Gen Z’ers.
• Authenticity: Because many Gen Z’ers don’t have church backgrounds (their parents and families didn’t go to church when they were young), this void can be a good thing in this respect: they don’t bring past “baggage” from hypocrisy and hurtful, abusive relationships from the past that needs counseling and correcting. Current churches that reach out to them with legitimate authenticity—desiring to know them as people with value and significance—will find great reception with Gen Z’ers.
• The World’s Shallow/Hollow Answers: the older this generation becomes, the more they are discovering that many of the world’s answers to the dilemmas that they face are either shallow (insufficient to address their need) or hollow (all form and no substance) to bring satisfaction to their inner life. Churches that preach and disciple with the intent of tackling the tough issues of personal and social life will find a receptive and interested audience in the Gen Z world.

While this is initially encouraging, I must point out now that there are current beliefs today in the Gen Z mental matrix that is in direct conflict with many churches today, and Christian leaders need to know how to address them to Gen Z’ers in ways that draw their interest and engagement:

• Absolute Truth: A sizable percentage—in some communities the majority—of today’s youth do NOT believe there is such a thing as “Absolute Truth” with a Capital T.  They have been brought up thinking that Truth is local and applicable only in relative terms.  The challenge—better yet, the opportunity—for any church is to show how the Bible is relevant and addresses the human condition in ways that give answers to human problems.  I have said this elsewhere, but I’ll say it again: in the past all you needed to do was say, “the Bible says” (appealing to theological presuppositions) to get everyone on the same page.  That is not possible today.  Instead, we need to appeal to philosophical presuppositions (showing how the Bible addresses human need) to draw interest and curiosity from today’s youth.
• Sexual ethics: researchers have pointed out that today’s generation sees sexual activity between unmarried peoples as permissible, provided that mutual consent is given. This explains why pornography—its easily availability on the internet through any number of devices—has influenced several generations (Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z) to see “allowable sex” as morally neutral, rather than an offense in the eyes of a holy, creator God who instituted sexual relationships for the marriage covenant only.  Today’s church must teach and disciple youths and families today in marriage, sexual and gender identity, and the sacredness/blessedness of marriage.
• Finances and possessions: Because many Gen Z youth were powerfully affected by the 2008 bank debacles throughout the country, a desire to have financial independence by the age of 30 is a super-high priority among them, even higher than getting married and having a family. This comes into conflict with the Bible’s repeated emphasis not to put your values in life around money, possessions, and “stuff.”  You will not be able to take any of it with you!  Churches that find creative ways to address this issue with ways where money can bring hope and revitalization to a community would likely find receptive ears and hearts among the Gen Z culture.  It is a fact that Gen Z’ers want to see their neighborhoods and communities improved.
• Technology and relationships. Today’s youth would rather hide behind a phone or tablet instead of talking directly to another person face-to-face.  Certainly, that presents challenges connecting with them on an individual  However, communicating with them as a group, in some respects, is more opportunistic because of the ability of today’s technology to inform, to reach, and to connect with clusters.  That makes “community conversations” an important strategy in trying to reach and to connect with Gen Z’ers, not to mention the opportunity to do things together (community projects, outreaches, neighborhood improvements) a highly desirable objective.

Will the church survive in the forthcoming years as Gen Z’ers become adults and parents?  The answer to this question will be largely determined by what churches and Christian leaders start doing now to reach and to disciple today’s youth.  If you love someone (parent, child, spouse, grandchild, etc.), you will spend time and money on them.  This applies to Gen Z’ers too.