Reaching the Next Generation
Young people are not just the future of the church, but they are a vital part of the Body of Christ today! When you hear “the next generation” who comes to mind? Your kids? Your grandkids? That neighbor kid? Those kids in the Sunday school class you taught/teach? Whenever we talk about the “next generation” the danger is to make it too abstract. Therefore, to resist the urge of being abstract, please imagine that young person as you read the rest of this article.
What do we know about the next generation? Fuller Youth Institute (FYI) reports this about Gen Z (born between 1997-2012) is best described by 3 adjectives; “Anxious, Adaptive and Diverse” Anxiety has risen to epidemic levels, especially among our teens and young people. No doubt that this generation knows the world is broken and they are seeking hope, health and healing. There are many questions on the minds of young people today, however, the Fuller Youth Institute suggests that 3 big questions rise above the rest. This comes from their book, 3 Big Questions That Shape Your Future (https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/3-big-questions).
Identity - Who am I?
Belonging - Where do I fit?
Purpose - What difference can I make?
In Jesus we encounter truth to answer all three of these questions. In Him we can all find our new, redeemed identity IN CHRIST. We belong to His family, His body and His bride. He offers us all mercy, forgiveness, healing, and new life.
Another finding that brings us hope is that “Warm is the new cool.” Young people don’t need us to be hip, retro, or trendy. We don’t have to understand TicToc. The next generation needs us to affirm their worth (Imago Dei). A recent study done by Young Life offers some insight into the next generation.
“We found that over 40% of Gen Z are not confident that they have someone they can talk to about things that really matter, and, devastatingly, that more than 40% of all Gen Zers are not confident they are “worthy of being loved” (rated 0 – 7 out of 10).” (https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/blog/young-lifes-relate-project)
Young people do not feel worthy of being loved. They have no safe place to discuss what matters most with caring adults in their lives. How sad! The next generation is hungry to experience the truth we find in scripture, that our Maker and Father doesn’t love us because we are worthy of it, but because He is that Love! Romans 5:8;
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Brothers and sisters, our churches need to be places where young people are welcomed. A place where they belong and feel safe enough to bring up the questions that gnaw at their souls. Our churches must be places where the next generation can come to encounter God’s radical love through scripture (certainly), but also through experience. They must encounter God’s love In the way we listen to them and value them. Here is how FYI summarized some of the finding from the RELATE report (Young Life):
“There’s a clear opportunity for adults to come alongside these younger generations. Showing up for adolescents by affirming their worth, encouraging their work ethic, and telling them they are enough are all ways to support young people today. The RELATE Project’s data found that the adults demonstrating a positive posture towards teens and young adults can truly make all the difference in their lives.”
This is our opportunity. And it is so simple. Have you affirmed the worth of a young person in the last week? Or have you belittled them with your sarcastic remarks? How have you been a safe, listening ear for a young person in the past month? In their RELATE report, Young Life concludes, “Gen Z really, really needs to know they are deserving of love.” Jesus loves this generation! How do we, His body, demonstrate that love towards them? Let this be the question that guides us as we seek to reach the next generation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Steve Poole
Pastor of Youth & Young Adults
Cedar Hills