Each generation has markers that make them different from the one before them. For Gen Z, one of the biggest markers is that they know a very chaotic world. With Generation Z beginning in 1996, many do not know a world before the horrific events of 9/11. They grew up always having to be on alert, going through metal detectors, and hearing terrifying news of school shootings, suicides, and continuous wars around the world. And, as Gen Z grew up, so did their access to this information. Technology advanced with them, and so the world’s problems began to be accessible at their fingertips.
Studies show that Gen Z is more depressed and more anxious than many of the generations that come before them. Chaotic noise constantly blasts in their ears from many places and overwhelms what they’re having to process at any given second throughout their day. In addition to having the world’s problems at their fingertips, Gen Z is surrounded by the normal struggles each teen faces.
Developmentally, adolescents are in a season where they are trying to discern the ‘I’ vs ‘we’ – how do I fit into this world? Who are my people? What do I believe and how do I communicate that? How do I find a like-minded team? As teenagers wrestle with these all-too-important questions, they’re faced with the opinions of their peers, parents, and teachers, the need to show off their lives, and the struggles of each individual trying to express themselves. This is why it is so important for the church to provide a place of warmth for our young people – a respite from the world.
Our church environment can be a place of warmth and healthy relationships. Because of who Jesus has made us in Baptism, our churches can be places filled with people that want to have intimate and vulnerable conversations. This doesn’t mean to shy away from the deep and impactful truths of Scripture at the risk of offending someone. Instead, it means walking alongside each other, praying together, and offering support and individuals wrestle with what it means to be “in the world but not of the world (Romans 12:2).”
Ultimately, Jesus is our perfect example of a loving presence. He says, “come to me all who are weak and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Jesus allows you to just be, to breathe, to be still. And our churches can be the perfect place for our youth to do this, to experience the Lord’s great, everlasting peace and comfort from a world that pushes noise, pain, and comparison in their faces. We also know that Jesus wasn’t afraid to talk about sin in us and the brokenness in the world. He was clear with those around Him when they failed to follow God’s Law, but He led in a way that encouraged people to turn from sin and shame and come back into His loving arms. His forgiveness and mercy is for all people.
Youth ministry can be a place where young people can be honest about the brokenness they struggle with in a broken world. When we lead with a Jesus heart, our youth groups can offer a place for youth to confess their sins or wrestle with the sin they experience in their lives and be met with God’s abundant, faithful, life-giving and life-transforming forgiveness in Jesus,
When creating a respite space, it is important to provide equalizers for your youth – how can you make them all on the same page. When your youth enter a room, they all bring with them different baggage from the day: maybe they did poorly on a test at school, perhaps they got into a fight at home, or they may not feel like they fit with their peers. Church can be the perfect place for our young people to lay these aside for a while.
I like to introduce my time with my youth with neutralizing activities. Perhaps try playing a game, joining in song, or asking a silly ice breaker question. These are just some small ways you can begin to show your Gen Z youth that church is a place of respite. Another great tool is providing a group covenant – have your regular attending youth create a list of actions that they commit to as a way of sharing God’s love to one another. This can be things like, “actively listen to my peers” or “no cell phones while at youth.” This helps each youth feel present.
Ultimately, we want our church to be a place where our Gen Z can get away from the noise of the world and listen to God. When we spend time in God’s Word, we are pointed back to the cross – to Christ’s glory, His peace, and His comfort. Listen to your youth. Find ways they can feel comfortable to be vulnerable with each other. Pray together. Remind them that Jesus is constant with challenge and grace – no matter what they experience, how they feel, or what they’re thinking, Jesus is always there for them to lean on. And, in turn, so are their brothers and sisters in Christ.
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