I recently read two books that examine various recent generations in American society. I was especially intrigued by what the authors wrote about Generation Z. Jean M. Twenge wrote a definitive work on the six generations currently alive in America entitled Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents—and What They Mean for America’s Future. I also read Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing An Epidemic of Mental Illness. Both provide fascinating insights into this unique and troubled generation.
Twenge points out that members of Gen Z are marrying less often and later than any previous generation. She also notes that they are far less religious than earlier generations. Jonathan Haidt is an atheist, and I am not aware that Twenge is religious. Yet they acknowledge that two of the leading sociological factors that promote happiness in people are religious faith and marriage. It is unsurprising that the generation that is the least religious and the least likely to be married is also the least happy.
Haidt is deeply concerned for Gen Z. He notes that they came of age when almost everyone had a mobile phone, and young Gen Z teens were suddenly immersed in social media. In the early 2010s, Facebook and Twitter both came out with ways to “like” people’s posts. Instagram was particularly harsh on teenage girls. It’s little wonder that the depression and suicide rates climbed dramatically within that demographic.
Haidt argues that the Gen X parents who raised Gen Z were hypervigilant in keeping their children physically safe. Playgrounds were reconstructed to remove anything that could cause harm. Haidt includes a picture in his book of a sign posted in a playground informing children that they are forbidden from playing tag without parent supervision.
Haidt suggests that Gen Z was raised with an acute awareness of potential harm. They were often smothered by doting parents. Yet those same parents were often much less concerned about the time their children spent unsupervised online. Haidt suggests that Gen Z brains were being rewired, and their parents were oblivious to it. Gen Z has largely been socialized by social media and often has unrealistic life expectations. They primarily obtain their news from social media. The problem is that social media is concerned with capturing people’s attention, and negative news attracts more clicks. As a result, Gen Z tends to see more negative news, which Haidt argues contributes to the high rates of depression in that demographic.
One positive of Gen Z is that they are less likely than previous generations to engage in risky behavior, such as premarital sex, drug use, alcohol consumption, and reckless driving. They are also passionate about social justice.
Unfortunately, Gen Z tends to be lonely. They have been conditioned to seek friendship on a screen, but they often find that form of connection inadequate. People tend to be much harsher online than they are in person, and society is quick to judge or “cancel” those who veer from the norm. As a result, people may feel pressure to enhance their image and present their “brand” as favorably as possible.
Twenge points out that people innately want to be a part of something larger than themselves. Having jettisoned religious belief (or perhaps never having had any), many Gen Zers have turned to politics. They want to change the world for the better, so they join groups and causes that share their concerns.
As I read these two books, I wondered what the church’s response ought to be to this generation. Haidt suggests that the way Gen Z thinks has been “re-wired.” Gen Z has been largely socialized by social media. They have been immersed in negative, sensational news. They are unsure what is true. The church cannot minister to Gen Z the same way it has to earlier generations.
The church has an enormous opportunity to provide meaningful, in-person relationships to a generation that suffers from chronic loneliness. While the church shouldn’t shy away from speaking the truth, it should also be a “safe space” where Gen Z can feel unconditionally loved and accepted. The church should demonstrate that truth is not tied to one political party but to the tried and tested word of God. There is no better place to grapple with hard truths than in the midst of a loving church family.
The church can also provide innumerable outlets for Gen Z to volunteer and serve. Throughout western history, no other institution has done more to build schools, hospitals, orphanages, and feeding stations.
It won’t be easy to reach Gen Z for Christ. Many have never attended church and have little interest in doing so. Nonetheless, rather than criticizing this generation, the church ought to show Gen Z that their deepest desires can be fulfilled not on a smartphone but in a local church where people stand ready to embrace them, love them, and minister to them.
