Gen Z. They are today's children...the youngest of six generations that are currently alive.
- GI Generation (born 1901-1926)
- Silent Generation (born 1927-1945)
- Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964)
- Generation X (born 1965-1980)
- Millennial / Gen Y Generation (born 1981-2000)
- Gen Z (born 2001+)
- Silent Generation - 11% unaffiliated
- Baby Boomers - 17% unaffiliated
- Gen X - 23% unaffiliated
- Older Millennials - 34% unaffiliated
- Younger Millennials - 36% unaffiliated
This slide has been fueled for the most part by Post-Modernism. Over the generations, Post-Modernism has penetrated our society/culture and now owns it. Post-Modernism says...
- There are no moral absolutes.
- There are many paths to God (pluralism).
- Trust is relative.
- Each person must decide for themselves what is right and wrong.
You can see Post-Modernism oozing out of their statements about God...
- I am an atheist.
- God is a guy up in the clouds, like on the Simpsons.
- God is a frog.
- Jesus is the mommy. He is a Hexagon.
- We're all part of the same family.
- I imagined all different religions having their own god portrayed and I didn't want to just do one, so I did all of them.
The church must also be intentional about teaching kids solid, Bible doctrine. "What" we teach is more important than ever before. I'm not saying we should make church a boring experience. "How" we teach must be engaging, fun and learner-based. But just teaching kids cute values and surface level lessons will not prepare them to spiritually survive the Post-Modern culture in which they are entrenched from birth.
Children's ministry leader, you are on the front lines in this. You matter. What you do matters. Walk in God's power and let's reach Gen Z.