Gen Z (currently ages 7 to 22 years) is a powerful generation.
They know how to harness the power of the culture they are growing up in and they want to use their power to change the world.
According to Viacom Global Consumer Insights, 61% of Gen Z believes their generation is more powerful than any other before it. They believe that power comes through collaboration.
One of their best methods of creating change is through social media. You can see this with YouTube videos they create that go viral and influence thousands and even millions of people. You can see this when they have millions of views and likes on their Instagram photos. 63% of Gen Z believes social media has a huge impact on the country.
Help them embrace the power they have to share the Gospel through social media. Partner with them and collaborate with them to create strategies for this. I have noticed several Gen Zer's sharing the Gospel through TicTok.
They have a spending power of over $140 billion dollars. Retailers and brands are trying to win their dollars. They are working on how to appeal to Gen Z. Teach Gen Z how they can use their finances to help spread the Gospel throughout the world.
One thing that has set back Gen Z (and all of us) is Covid-19. Half of the oldest part of Gen Z have reported that they or someone in their household has lost a job or taken a pay cut. Gen Z is looking to the future, but at this time that future is uncertain.
Teach and show them what it means to trust God in times of uncertainty and move forward with Him.
Gen Z is more racially and ethnically diverse than any previous generation. One-in-four Gen Zers are Hispanic, 14% are black, 6% are Asian and 5% are some other race or two or more races. Gen Z is more likely to be the children of immigrants. 22% have at least one immigrant parent. By 2026, Gen Z will become majority non-white. Does your church reflect the diversity of Gen Z? If you want your ministry to look like heaven, then reflect it by embracing and encouraging diversity in your ministry.
They are the most well-educated generation yet. They are less likely to quit high school and are more likely to be
enrolled in college. Among college age Gen Zers, 57% are enrolled in a
two-year or four-year college. This compares with 52% among Millennials
and 43% among Gen X. While at the same time many of them are illiterate when it comes to God's Word. We must have strategic methods to teach kids the Bible and get the truth lodged in their long-term memory.
They are digital natives. They have little or no memory of a world without smartphones. Need technology help? Need someone to help you with computer needs, graphic design, presentation slides or programming? Gen Z is who to talk with.
- 29% live in a household with an unmarried parent.
- 66% live with two married parents.
- Among kids who live with 2 married parents, 64% of both parents work jobs.
Gen Z is more open to transgender and general-neutral tenancies than previous generations. 35% say they know someone who is transgender or general neutral. The majority of Gen Z says they feel comfortable using gender-neutral pronouns. We must help Gen Z understand God's plan for our identities and family life.
Technology and Gen Z.
95% have access to a smartphone.
97% have access to at least one of the 7 major online platforms.
- 85% use YouTube
- 72% use Instagram
- 69% use Snapchat
- 51% use Facebook
- 45% of Gen Zer's say they are online constantly and 44% say several times a day.
- 40% of Gen Zer's say social media has a positive effect on them. But others say it leads to bullying and rumor spreading.
If you want to connect with and influence Gen Z, then you must engage them with technology in a variety of ways.
As children's ministry leaders, reaching Gen Z should be our top priority. As we equip them and teach them how they can truly make a big impact with God, they can change their generation and who knows...maybe the entire world.
