Generation Rising: Bridging the Gap to Reach the Next Generation within the Church

Right now, there are roughly five generations alive today have been labeled here in the U.S.- the Silent Generation (those born around 1945 or before, 78-96 years old), the Baby Boomers (1946-1964, 59-77 years old), Generation X (1965-1976, 44-59 years old) Millennials (1977-1995, between 28-43 years old), and Gen Z- 1996-2015 (between 9-27 years old). It’s no secret that often the younger generations are misunderstood, mischaracterized, and subjected to negative stereotypes within the church. It’s no different now with the youngest active generation, Gen Z.   In spite of the often bad and unfair characterizations Gen Z receives, we as Church leaders are called not just to love this generation, but to reach them, guide them, and disciple them into the next wave of leaders within the body of Christ.  How do we do that? How can we engage them if we don’t understand how they think, what they value, and what makes them tick?