RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Generation Z are kids born between between 1995 and 2009.   The older kids in this generation are now coming of age and preparing to enter college and the workforce.

As with any generation, they have their own unique characteristics.  Many of Generation Z's characteristics are tied to technology.

• 60% of this generation like to share knowledge online, a sign of collaborative skills
• 64% contribute to websites because they like learning about new things
• 76% feel that online experiences help them reach goals
• 66% say that technology makes them feel like anything is possible

Just as technology is helping generation Z, there are also ways it is hurting them.

• Generation Z lacks the ability to effectively communicate ideas, share an opinion, or debate an issue. 
• After spending the majority of their formative years in front of a computer this generation of employees are unfamiliar with collaborative teams, face-to-face discussions, and public speaking. 
• Instant feedback and immediate response to inquiries also limits the coping skills of this generation to problem solve.
• The skill to explore multiple solutions for a problem is not as mature in this generation as in previous generations.
• Generation Z will want to be heard no matter how junior they are, and perhaps may have little tolerance for working with those who don’t share their views.
• Generation Z may have less concern for responsibility, accountability and understanding of consequence.

These are good to keep in mind as you minister to the kids in your church.

There are some things in ministry that can't be learned by simply sitting in a seminary or college classroom.

I am not anti-education.  I have a degree and think anyone that has the opportunity to attend college or seminary as part of their ministry preparation should do so.

That being said...there are some things you will only learn through experience, mistakes, and real time ministry.

Here are 30 things I could only learn through real time ministry.

1. How to walk with a child who is dying of cancer.

2. How to walk with the parents of a child who is dying of cancer.

3. How to conduct the funeral of a child who has died from cancer.

4. How to lead staff.

5. How to lead volunteers.

6. How to be good husband.

7. How to be a good father.

8. How to navigate confrontation properly.

9. How to love kids and families.

10. Loyalty.

11. How to communicate a vision with passion.

12. How to enlist volunteers.

13. How to equip volunteers.

14. How to encourage volunteers.

15. How to empower volunteers.

16. Initiative.

17. Character.

18. How to communicate effectively with kids.

19.  How to communicate effectively with parents.

20. Tenacity.

21. How to encourage and comfort a child whose parents are divorcing.

22. Wisdom.

23. What to say "no" to.

24. Balance.

25. How to make a new guest family feel loved and welcomed.

26. How to build trust with people.

27. Unity.

28. How to talk with a child whose parents have died.

29. How to receive and process feedback, input, and ideas.

30. How to remain teachable.

What are some other things you didn't learn in a classroom, but in real time?  Add them to the list by sharing your thoughts in the comment section below.

A recent study of two generations of college students - Gen Xers in 1992 and Millennials in 2012 - reveals that the number of young adults who plan to become parents has dropped dramatically.

In 1992, 78% said "Yes."  In 2012, 42% said, "Yes."  The results were the same for men and women.

There are several factors behind the results.

A change in life priorities.
These trends show that men are somewhat more focused on career and less on family.  Men also do not see themselves as the sole breadwinner anymore.  They expect their spouses to be engaged in careers full time.

Longer work week.
The average number of expected hours per week has gone from 58 hours per week in 1992 to 72 in 2012.  That's 14 more hours per week.  With working that many hours, many young adults don't see how they can be a parent.

Student debt.
Many young adults are leaving college with a lot of debt which constrains them from the prospect of having children.  They want to have children but don't see how they can in light of all the pressure of paying off debt.

Economic uncertainty.
Millennials were in their formative years when 9-11 occurred.  This had a profound impact on them.  They also entered college as the Great Recession hit.