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36 www.ccca.org December 2017/January 2018 ® Youth Culture SHINING A LIGHT ON RESEARCH AND INSIGHTS INTO TODAY’S YOUTH CULTURE iStock

Understanding Generation Z · honesty” test of skeptical millennials and Gen Z’ers. It’s essential that we are in this conversation. The days of, “God said it, I believe it,

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Page 1: Understanding Generation Z · honesty” test of skeptical millennials and Gen Z’ers. It’s essential that we are in this conversation. The days of, “God said it, I believe it,

36 www.ccca.org December 2017/January 2018®

Youth Culture

SHINING A LIGHT ON RESEARCH AND INSIGHTS INTO TODAY’S YOUTH CULTURE

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Page 2: Understanding Generation Z · honesty” test of skeptical millennials and Gen Z’ers. It’s essential that we are in this conversation. The days of, “God said it, I believe it,

December 2017/January 2018 www.ccca.org 37 ®

UNDERSTANDINGGENERATION Z

I’ve been involved with Barna Group for several years, helping

with research and dissemination of what we’re learning,

especially as it relates to youth culture. What we’ve discovered

has several direct implications on Christian camping. �

by Mark Matlock

Page 3: Understanding Generation Z · honesty” test of skeptical millennials and Gen Z’ers. It’s essential that we are in this conversation. The days of, “God said it, I believe it,

We’re beginning to understand someof the differences between millennialsand Generation Z (born roughlybetween 1999 and 2015). You’ve alreadybeen employing millennials for sometime, and Gen Z staff members are justaround the corner (as the oldest mem-bers of Gen Z are 18-year-olds). Notonly will understanding some of the keydifferences between these two genera-tions help you as you lead and managestaff, but Barna’s findings about Gen Zwill also be important for you to con-sider as you program and minister tothese young campers.

Generation Z and TechnologyWhile millennials were early adopters of mobile technology and social media,Gen Z has never known a world wherethese realities weren’t ubiquitous. This isimportant because both mobile technol-ogy and social media have shaped theway our cognitive function happens, as

well as the behaviors we develop in lightof these new tools.

For example, because teens have newways to connect virtually, they’re gettingtheir driver’s licenses much later intotheir adolescence. “Why should I driveto meet up with my friends if we’re allSnapchatting until later than I can stayout anyway?”

Because of technology, today’s teenshave more information available tothem regarding risk and reward andhealthy living. We can’t be certain aboutwhat causes what, but we are seeinglower risk factors for Gen Z. Teen preg-nancy, smoking and drinking are lowerthan previous generations. Becauseteens are spending less time “out withfriends,” and instead connect virtually,there is simply less time for these riskybehaviors to occur.

Compared to millennials and oldergenerations, Gen Z teens get less (orsomething very different) out of socialmedia. In his book Revenge of the Ana-log: Why Real Things Matter, David �

38 www.ccca.org December 2017/January 2018®

WHILE MILLENNIALSWERE EARLY

ADOPTERS OF MOBILETECHNOLOGY AND

SOCIAL MEDIA, GEN ZHAS NEVER KNOWN AWORLD WHERE THESEREALITIES WEREN’T

UBIQUITOUS.

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Page 4: Understanding Generation Z · honesty” test of skeptical millennials and Gen Z’ers. It’s essential that we are in this conversation. The days of, “God said it, I believe it,

December 2017/January 2018 www.ccca.org 39 ®

Millennials will soon be the ones running yourcamp or conference center. As you look atleading these leaders, these tips will help setyou (and them) up for success.

1 Don’t assume you know them. Research has given us invaluable insights into the

distinctive traits of this generation, but weneed to be careful not to superimpose thoseideas on every millennial we meet. This genera-tion values people who take time to get toknow them and not make assumptions.

2 They want to make an impact now. Theyneed to see that what they do makes an

impact. The more you can link what you needthem to do to a significant outcome, the morelikely they’ll be to get/stay engaged.

3 Give them greater, holistic context. If youmake a statement about biblical standards

or Christlike conduct to a millennial, you make a statement that comes from centuries ofchurch history and theological reflection, whichmay not be present in the foundational contextof a millennial. It’s important that we explainourselves holistically, and do not assume thatwords like grace, holiness and sanctificationare as richly understood. Also, there aredistinct lenses we take for granted whenmaking statements. We make a statement from a theological lens and neglect to share itfrom a pastoral lens because we assume that is a given. For millennials, they need to seeapplications holistically.

4 Show them The Power. If it’s real and true,then demonstrate it. Otherwise, it’s just

empty. If a relationship with Jesus makes adifference, show it — don’t tell it. And if it’s a relationship and not a religion, that should be demonstrated as well. I changed two thingsin my work with teens. I try to use the Bibledirectly more than summarize it, and I pray for people right on the spot when a need orsituation presents itself. Those two shifts indemonstration have yielded positive results.

5 They want opportunities to lead. Previousgenerations had to pay their dues before

they were given opportunities to leverage their skills and gifts. This generation wantsleadership opportunities sooner than they may be ready, but they’ll leave if not given a chance. This generation has options; be careful not to mistake their indifference toyour opportunity or organization as entitle-ment. We should be looking to engage themwhile also providing mentors.

6 Be open to reverse mentoring. It’s not just older generations who can share in

wisdom; this generation can help us understandthe world that is changing and help us navigateit. Don’t miss an opportunity to learn from them.

7 Invite them to collaborate. Millennialsthink and dream differently. Leverage

that by inviting them to the table to imagineand create — not just to do their “job.”

8 Being young doesn’t mean they “get” Gen Z. While your young leaders are

closer in age to the next generation, thatdoesn’t mean it’s easier for them to connect withthose they’re serving. Just a few years of lifeafter college places them in a radically differentsocial community, and they’ve also experiencedlife stages that haven’t been experienced bythose who are younger — even those who arejust a few years out of high school.

—Mark Matlock

EXTRA INFO

UNDERSTANDING MILLENNIALS8 tips to help work with and lead this generation

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Page 5: Understanding Generation Z · honesty” test of skeptical millennials and Gen Z’ers. It’s essential that we are in this conversation. The days of, “God said it, I believe it,

Sax shows the limited appeal of thepurely digital life and the robust futureof real, tangible things. It’s this shift inculture that explains why you’re morelikely to see teens listening to vinyl orcassettes, reading books and taking pictures with real film. This is not sometrend about tangible “things,” but isabout what is authentic and real.

Camp ApplicationThe desire for something authenticand real is a tremendous insightfor camps that are programmingfor teens. What are you providingthat allows your campers to haveexperiences that are meaningfuland tangible?

Generation Z and FaithResearch is showing that Gen Z is lessexposed to Christianity than previousgenerations. In the past 25 years, wehave seen those without a personalconnection to Christianity double

among those under the age of 30. This isthe first generation where there are justas many teens growing up not exposedto church as going to church. Thatmeans that campers who come to youfrom a church-going family are attend-ing school or playing sports with kidswho have no idea what Christian beliefsare. So there are fewer places outside thechurch and home where Christian valuesand beliefs are being reinforced. It’s alsopossible that you’ll see more camperscoming to you with very little biblicalknowledge or understanding of Christi-anity. It’s essential that we understandteens through this lens.

In Smart Faith, a book I wrote withJP Moreland (NavPress), we discuss theanatomy of a belief. Essentially, a beliefis comprised of content, conviction andcentrality. For example, I might hold a belief that exercise is good for yourhealth. That statement alone is the content, but it’s only with reflection and study that I might say, “I stronglybelieve exercise is good for your health,”and perhaps even argue with someonewho believed otherwise. This doesn’tmean that I actually exercise until I decide to make it central to my life.

As Christians, we tend to focus onthe content, strength of belief (convic-tion) and the centrality of that to ourlives. We even use traditional apologet-ics as a means to strengthen theconviction of that content (believing itwill lead to centrality). I think there’s a fourth important aspect of the belief,and that’s the plausibility of the belief ’scontext. A belief requires a largerframework to be considered plausible.This generation is growing up without a context for plausibility for the contentof the beliefs that compose Christianfaith, and that makes conviction andcentrality more challenging.

Remember the apostle Paul’s words

40 www.ccca.org December 2017/January 2018®

[GEN Z] IS THE FIRSTGENERATION WHERETHERE ARE JUST ASMANY TEENSGROWING UP NOTEXPOSED TO CHURCHAS GOING TO CHURCH.

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Page 6: Understanding Generation Z · honesty” test of skeptical millennials and Gen Z’ers. It’s essential that we are in this conversation. The days of, “God said it, I believe it,

in 1 Corinthians 2:4, “My message andmy preaching were not with wise andpersuasive words, but with a demonstra-tion of the Spirit’s power.” Generation Zhas access to countless terabytes ofwords, but they’re short on seeing thepower of God in their lives.

You’ve heard CCCA’s phrase, ThePower of Camp. It may be that camp was created for such a generation as this.The opportunity to experience Godthrough the revelation of His creationand His Word exists all over camp.

Camp ApplicationHow can you provide opportunitiesfor “plausible context” to be discov-ered at camp? How can you makespace for demonstrations of theSpirit’s power? A talking head maynot be as effective as significanttime in silence or a liturgical practice that allows a camper toexperience the presence of God.

Science vs. FaithA shift we’ve seen over the past decadeor so is the role that science plays in thebelief system of the next generations. Ifit comes down to the truth of the Bibleversus science, science will win. Unfor-tunately, the average Christian has leftthe science conversation, as have manypastors. But fortunately, there are manyChristians who are practicing scientists.

These scientists, along with conserva-tive Bible scholars and theologians, arein exciting conversations that help usreconcile science and Scripture in waysthat may make some people feel uncom-fortable, but will pass the “intellectualhonesty” test of skeptical millennials andGen Z’ers. It’s essential that we are in thisconversation. The days of, “God said it, I believe it, that settles it,” are gone. We

have to live in the tension of the twoways God has revealed Himself if wewant these generations to see the Wordof God and His existence as credible.

Interestingly, science is helping inthe premarital counseling I do with mil-lennial couples. I now have statisticalsupport that cohabitation is a factor inthe likelihood of divorce. I find it easierto discuss this (and see it embraced)rather than just sharing what seems to be antiquated values (to youngergenerations).

In the end, it’s important to remem-ber that while there are some thingsabout teenagers that never change —they still go through the sameemotional, physical and cognitive transitions — there will always be thingsthat make each generation differentfrom the previous one. By staying con-nected to youth culture and the thingsthat make Gen Z unique, you’ll be betterequipped to minister to them and leadthem to a life with Jesus. l

December 2017/January 2018 www.ccca.org 41 ®

YOU’RE MORE LIKELYTO SEE TEENSLISTENING TO VINYLOR CASSETTES,READING BOOKS ANDTAKING PICTURESWITH REAL FILM.

Mark Matlock has worked with youth pastors and students for two

decades. He speaks to thousands of students around the world each

year at PlanetWisdom Conferences, and presents biblical truths in

ways that motivate people to change. In addition to being an advisor

to Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention, Mark’s the founder of

WisdomWorks Ministries, an organization exploring the accelerated acquisition

of wisdom in teens. Mark lives in Texas with his wife, Jade, and their children.

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