Having trouble understanding Gen Z these days?
In education, Gen Z refers to middle schoolers all the way up through graduate students in their mid-20s.
A few Gen Z characteristics include low religious affiliation, mental health struggles, left-leaning political views, and acceptance of non-traditional understandings of gender and sexuality.
Gen Zers are justice-minded, racially diverse, well-educated, and increasingly secular. They grew up in single-parent homes more than ever before, and were raised on daily news of racial tensions, mass shootings, bitter political divide, and definitions of “truth” that seem to depend on social perspective more than anything.
This generation is tech-savvy and immersed in social media. They often feel lonely and isolated. They are career-minded and have never known a day when there was not a smartphone close at hand or in their own hands.
Ministry advice for influencing Gen Z includes being more clear and directive about discipleship practices.
In evangelism, Gen Z responds to approaches that are authentic and transparent, and include concerns for justice and beauty.
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All of the above is important.
In the next post I’ll offer a Gen Z “additive” of my own observations.
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* a few sources to check out (among many out there):
“Generation Z and the Future of Faith in America,” Center on American Life
“What We Know About Gen Z So Far,” Pew Research Center
“Opening the Door to Dialogue with Gen Z,” Christianity Today
“Meet the Post-Christian Generation: Gen Z,” InterVarsity
“Gen Z demographic group,” Encyclopedia Britannica
Image by Foundry Co from Pixabay
