What’s Generation Z Looking for From Church?

This question is very easy to answer but it is not a short answer. During this article, we will go into more detail about what Generation Z is looking for. What is generation Z looking for from church?

A simple answer is that Generation Z is looking for a group of people who are authentic and real. This generation is no longer interested in attending church just because their parents do. They need to see authenticity in relationships, prayer, and worship.

Regarding authentic relationships, Generation Z needs to feel welcome and accepted in the church. Not only do they want an authentic connection with a pastor or youth minister but also among the other members of the church. They want to be in a place where they can be themselves and not feel judged or excluded because of who they are right then and there.

What Are the Spiritual Needs of Generation Z And How Is the Church Responding?

Get ready for the next generation Gen-Z. For them, everything is abbreviated or condensed. If you thought LOL was difficult to decipher, wait until someone throws it out IRL and IMO your way. Those two were not even referring to retirement accounts this time around! So if you want all the knowledge necessary to understand Gen-Zs terminology and culture, look no further than here.

Don’t be discouraged! Every new generation has its unique qualities, traits, and challenges when it comes to connecting with churches. Generation Z is individuals born between the late 1990s to early 2010s. Some may think that Gen-Zers don’t align well with the church’s values, but in actuality, they have far more similarities than what meets the eye. With a fresh perspective from this youthful group of people come boundless opportunities for growth and community within your church walls. The church needs to simply embrace them and say, you are welcome.

Exploring Behaviors and Characteristics of Generation Z

Pause for a moment and reflect, what was teenage you like in those long, sometimes uncomfortable years? Generation Z’s habits are reminiscent of the ones you or I might have experienced at their age. Take a look at this compilation of Gen-Z trends and tell me your 13-year-old self could not relate:

• Young people are often hesitant to share their beliefs, especially when it comes to matters like religion and relationships.
• Despite this apprehension, they remain enticed by views that contrast with the status quo and can be more amenable to the unfamiliar.
• Being success-driven individuals, their attention span is limited; yet for them, individual expression remains a top priority which they will fiercely fight for if need be.

Does this sound familiar?

• Being a teenager remains the same, although their means and avenues of expression have shifted over time.
• In particular, Generation Z’s dependence on technology and social media for communication has evolved their behaviors.
• The church’s response to meet the spiritual needs of Generation Z
• We can’t ignore these shifts in teenage behavior; we must recognize them and respond accordingly.
• Not only do Gen-Zers need authentic relationships but they also need authentic prayer and authentic worship music.

How To Narrow The Gaps?

To effectively reach Generation Z, the church needs to recognize that they are being bombarded with various opinions and ideas from technology. Formation of thoughts is more complex than ever before due to smartphones and the internet– something we never had as youths. To build a stronger bond between the church and Gen-Zers, you can:

• Recognize the reality that surrounds your youth. After all, they’ve grown up in a time with so much happening and they comprehend it far better than you may think.
• Engage in conversation about their passions and interests to assist them on their journey.
• Build bridges instead of hindering opportunities for young people at church; make sure it’s easy for them to be seen and heard by others.
• Get online too – students generally spend most of their time there these days! Without mindful management, social media can cause feelings of isolation or depression among teens, leading them to believe no one cares enough about them otherwise.

You need to enable reliable navigation through this powerful platform as an example that shows how deeply invested you are in helping your congregation flourish.

It Starts In The Home

Recall how you rarely sought guidance from your guardians regarding behavior, lifestyle, sense of self-worth, or spirituality. Not much has changed over the years.

• Even with the more up-to-date language being used, Gen Z still feels that same way.
• Family is not neglected; rather, a new form of conversing about their parents’ misunderstanding has been established and accepted.
• So, don’t attempt to fight against it.
• Rather than resisting this trend, join them.
• Invite the parents of your students to be active participants in their culture even though they may not master all the latest trends.

It’s sure to open up a world of knowledge! Staying informed is more important than being “cool” these days. Parents will appreciate having access to this information and become competent sources for guidance.

Mobilizing Youth

If you are looking to draw in Generation Z, long services won’t do the trick. This might be hard to hear but app developers have come to understand that they must capture Gen-Z’s attention within seven seconds before their attention shifts away and onto something else.

• Seven measly seconds is all you have got.
• How can one possibly compete with such a short time frame?
• Fortunately, it is straightforward: listen closely.

Generation Z desires an atmosphere where they can ask difficult questions, voice their uncertainties, openly communicate their reflections and establish genuine connections.

• The best place to start is by developing relationships with people from this age group that you already know well.
• Demonstrate your trustworthiness through attentive listening, providing responses to any inquiries they have, and having a great time together.

This allows churches to build meaningful bonds between Generation Z members while giving parents information on what matters most to their children. The connection formed between Gen-Zers and the church should be joyous but also honest and secure for real bonding experiences.

Master The Art of Communication

You have figured out the best way to open up a dialogue with young people. To build relationships between Gen-Z and your church, you do not need to know all their language trends.

• Use youth leaders who are more familiar with these topics! With proper mentorship and spiritual guidance, they can create meaningful content that resonates with your target audience while helping bridge the gap between Generation Z and Christianity.
• Put faith in these younger leaders by giving them ownership over social media initiatives; it’s an effective way for churches everywhere to be relevant on digital platforms.

 

Being Secure

It could be that this next generation learned to venerate success from our side hustles, or maybe it is even from toddlers who make unimaginable amounts of money just by creating content on YouTube.

• Regardless, Gen-Zers are determined not to experience poverty and have an unwavering focus on financial stability.
• They are not entirely wrong for wanting to be successful in their endeavors, but it’s our job to provide mentorship and discipleship.
• This will help the next generation to see that the security they seek can be found in their relationship with God.

Lean into the professionals at your church who have found success in their fields, but have also built strong relationships with Jesus. Building this bridge will ensure that Generation Z is a generation that trusts in God for all their needs.

Being Diverse

Generation Z is a testament to the beauty of diversity, embodying inclusivity and acceptance. Unlike other generations before them, Gen Z embraces difference, with comfort in conversing with those who may have opposing lifestyles or beliefs.

• This generation consistently strives toward uniting people from all backgrounds within their social circles at work or in public events.
• They are looking for values that are here to stay for many years ahead.
• Gen-Z is much more likely to attend church if it’s diverse, and they want a space that celebrates differences inclusively.

By working together, the youth of today and the church can both learn about numerous different groups as well as infamous wrongdoings throughout history, while also finding out how best to love and include everyone in attendance.

What Is Next?

The church can revolutionize its ministry strategies to draw the attention of Generation Z and foster meaningful connections with them. Gen-Zers are always on social media. This group prioritizes diversity and inclusion and aims for success.  If your congregation is willing to create safe havens. They will need to take into consideration the technological habits this generation has grown up with and by respecting their worldviews. This will establish a strong bond between the young people in your community and will not be an issue.

Being authentic and real in our conversations with Gen-Z provides them with a safe space to thrive. Gen-Z will also listen attentively and have an open dialogue about the struggles they may face. Churches will be able to help younger generations get closer to God while learning how faith can provide lasting security.