GEN Z
GEN Z
connecting
with GEN Z
Angie Richey
You just met Gen Z on the previous page.
Here are some practical ways your local church
can start serving this generation.
Embrace their
non-traditional
education
Meet them where
they already are. Giving them
learning opportunities Care about what they
are passionate about
Gen Z is online. They love
YouTube, Snapchat and
Instagram. Think through
where your church is
represented online,
especially your student
ministries. Make small,
intentional steps onto any
technology or social media
platforms to ensure your
efforts can be managed well. This generation is volunteering early,
and they want career experience
early. Talk about win-win—you can
start training up the next generation
of leaders (and ministers!) while also
getting one-on-one time to disciple
them. Think creatively and plug them
into where they already flow, whether
it’s technology, worship ministry, student
ministries, missions trips, community
service days—the possibilities go on! This generation has a big
heart for refugees and
immigrants. They are globally
aware and globally interested.
Caring about the stranger and
those in need comes naturally
to this crew, and they
want to pitch in and help.
Plug them in and let their
entrepreneurial spirit shine
with creative ways to care.
3 RESOURCES 4 U
The Barna Group
whoisgenz.com
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Mental Health First Aid
mentalhealthfirstaid.org
F O U R S Q U A R E Leade r
Child and Youth Protection Manual
4sq.ca/cypm
Are there already homeschoolers
or hackschoolers in your
church? Help mobilize them,
give them space to meet, and
then offer outlets for their
passion. Perhaps an artistic
group could paint a new mural
for Easter, a skateboarding
group could hold an event
in your parking lot and reach
out to the neighborhood, or
gifted musicians could start
leading student worship. The
possibilities for synergy
are endless.
Be there for their mental
and emotional needs
This generation is lonely and not sleeping
enough. The statistical chance of boys and
girls facing sexual trauma is alarming. The
church should be a safe place, but that’s not
enough. The church needs to be prepared
to meet the needs of Gen Z. Hold a staff
event and walk through Mental Health
First Aid (mentalhealthfirstaid.org) so
your pastoral staff can confidently respond
to signs of mental illness. Interview local
counselors and create a list so anyone on
your team can confidently refer students, no
matter their need. This might include mental
health professionals in your church, or a
local Christian university that may provide
counseling at a reduced cost.
Teach an
authentic
gospel
Students
desperately want
to believe in biblical
Christianity, so
don’t be shy about
teaching the good
stuff, the deep
stuff. Kids want to
know that what
they believe holds
up. Impart your
values and a
Spirit-empowered
life; deliver
something real.
See something, say something
All credentialed ministers are mandatory reporters. This means if you suspect sexual abuse,
you are required to report the situation to the authorities. The Child and Youth Protection
Manual, created by The Foursquare Church, is a great resource to train everyone in your
church who is working with kids and students. Learn how to spot abuse, how to respond,
and how to set up a safe environment for child and student ministries in your church.
Visit 4sq.ca/cypm.
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