Better Ministry to Gen Z
Generation Z is going to college, and our churches are failing them.
After my college graduation, I spent some time completing a few writing internships before I landed a job at my alma matter—a small Christian university. For the next three and a half years, I learned the in’s and out’s of recruitment. Barely out of college myself, I was counseling high school students to help them make a wise college decision. I was able to interact with hundreds of students and families each year, and worked to bring a smaller number into enrollment at university.
I loved counseling and interacting with the next generation—even though I was only a few years ahead of them. But despite the silver lining, I quickly developed some concerns about Generation Z in relation to their faith. My experience was limited to the students applying to my university, but since I interacted with thousands of students, I picked up on concerns that were more widespread than I thought. Here’s what I observed:
Many students found it difficult to adequately share a testimony of the Gospel. Jesus was merely a helpful figure in the hardships of life, or someone to thank when a game was won or obstacles were overcome. To claim Jesus Christ as one’s savior, and identifying in his death and resurrection for salvation, was more rare to hear.
A lack of students claimed involvement in a local church beyond sporadic church attendance. I think several factors played into this, as you’ll see below—but as a whole, students were already disconnected from the church before they left for college.
Before I go further, please understand that I am not trying to stereotype. There were many Christian students I interacted with who were very articulate with their testimony and mature in their faith. And regardless of where any student was at in their spiritual journey, I was thankful to have some interaction and guidance as they determined their next steps. I also didn’t have official studies to review or conduct in-depth research, but saw these ideas come up enough to be a pattern. I became concerned about the number of young adults who identify within the Christian circles, but in a much more real sense, have no idea what that means.
My conclusions? I think the majority of teens in our churches
1) don’t know what they believe,
2) can’t share their testimony (or don’t understand how to articulate it), and
3) aren’t taking responsibility for their faith or developing a personal walk with God.
While these concerns may be troubling, this is an opportunity for growth. Our churches need to step up in how they minister to youth, but also in discipling families as they raise their children. Whether you’re actively involved in youth ministry or simply a church member, we each have a part to play. Here are my few suggestions:
Less focus on programs and more focus on people.
I know many pastors and youth pastors who are talented and have “built” exciting youth programs. These may bring in numbers, or have a great layout and schedule—but has the church sacrificed personal connection for the sake of a perfect-on-paper program? Whether you are in church leadership, a parent, or a volunteer, as a part of the church you have the opportunity to invest in lives—specifically the next generation. Don’t worry so much about crafting the perfect program—because if you do, you’ll need to constantly adjust it, anyways. Focus on the blessing of ministering to and connecting with students. Train volunteers or youth workers how to disciple teens individually and in small groups. Utilize Scripture as your primary resource and teach students how to study the Word of God for themselves. Ask them what is going on in their life. Programs may help, but don’t rely on a program to do these things for you.
I had a concern that students didn’t know what the Gospel was and couldn’t articulate a personal salvation testimony. Never assume that anyone understands the Gospel or has put their trust in Jesus Christ. This is a crucial point for any student’s walk with God—and too often, we are guilty of “skipping” it simply with assumptions. Evangelize and preach the Gospel to your teens. Hear their testimony. Let them ask you questions. Make sure you know why they think they are saved before you send them out.
Church involvement over attendance.
The teen years are often so busy. Students have extracurricular activities and may just barely make it to church or church activities. Yet, you have an opportunity to help teens develop priorities. Gently help them and their parents understand what those priorities should be, not from a legalistic mindset, but to help them obey God.
Of course, church involvement goes far beyond simple attendance. Challenge teens to step up and serve in their church. When I was in college, I had many friends who didn’t care about ministry, but once they were “forced” to serve, God began changing their heart. This eventually led to a change in their motives! Personally, I had opportunities to serve in my church as early as age 12. That constant investment (on both ends!) resulted in a deep burden for the local church and for missions. I never would have had that if I hadn’t been asked to begin serving in the first place.
Don’t underestimate what your teens can do, or how it will change their lives. And utilize ministry as a platform for discipleship! The frustrations and tension that often accompanies ministry can be a great opportunity to help a teen work through a difficult situation.
Equip students to study the Bible.
When I was a middle school and high school student, the weekly AWANA Bible study was something that I looked forward to each week. My peers and I were taught principles of Bible study and how to apply it to our lives during the week. Studying the text as a group led to valuable skills to study Scripture for ourselves. Even as a high school student, I gained the skills to feel comfortable studying through a book of the Bible and how to utilize commentaries and other resources. What a huge benefit this was to me as I grew up, went to college, and navigated the conflicting and secular worldviews that life offered!
Whether a student attends a Christian or secular university, or even if they enter the workforce right after graduation, they will be faced with many obstacles and opposing messages to the Christian faith. Will they be equipped to work through this tension when they are no longer under the protective shelter of their local church? The ability to study and understand Scripture will be key as they encounter these messages. They will still have to wrestle with anti-biblical ideas, but give them the tools to do it (and while you’re at it, go back to point #1 and also provide a discipling relationship to gently help them work through these ideas!).
I realize that I don’t have all the answers, but I think my experience in working with hundreds of teens and families has given me deeper insight and perspective on a need—a need that shows how we can improve our churches. I went from a college graduate who didn’t want to ever consider volunteering with college students, to having my eyes opened and my heart broken by the huge needs with high school and college students.
Let’s utilize principles of discipleship, church priority, and Scripture to invest in our teens. It’s time to stop relying on a program, and it’s time to go deeper.
