A Note from Hixon Frank
Hey Church,
“For the first time in history, more than FIVE distinct Generations sit in church together. They are expected, according to the Bible, to have unity of purpose and mission.
To love one another, serve one another and worship together in spirit and in truth!”
– Lifeway Resources
It is not a stretch to say that we have SIX (and possibly SEVEN) Generations sitting in our pews at Green Acres each week! That wonderful challenge is due in large part to the increased life expectancy, as well as the amazingly short tenure of the Generations.
1 Corinthians 12:24b-27
“… instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it.”
The temptation for each generation, as I have tried to systematically lay out, is to consider those who came before us as “not as enlightened” and those after us as “not as virtuous.” But nothing could be further from the truth. People are people. Refined and shaped by their context and by their faith.
John 15:12
“This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you.”
Sometimes the only thing we have in common with another person is the fact that they, like us, are made on the image of God. That fact alone demands that we love, respect, and seek to understand them.
This series of Friday articles on the Generations has been a lot of fun for me to write and, based on feedback, might have been enjoyable to read as well! Today’s article focuses on “Generation Z” or “GenZ!” Those born between 1995 and 2010! No longer dealing with a technology transition, for 14 to 29 year–olds, the challenges are much more nuanced and subtle.
Let’s take a look…
Joshua and Madison …
For Josh and Maddie (popular names in 2002), technology, for those who could afford it, has been readily available since their birth. Global connectedness has always been at the click of a button. Social media and social influencers are just another part of a technology-based life. Generation Z has always had “a voice,” if they chose to have one, that could reach around the world. They are immersed in technology like no generation before them. They are, as one author puts it, “Technological Natives.”
This unique upbringing has shaped their behaviors, values, and worldviews in ways that set them apart from previous generations.
Most of us who are engaged in social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok, see them as just entertainment outlets. Something from which to get a chuckle. Maybe a place to find camaraderie around a political viewpoint, world event, favorite hobby, or sports team. We see the clever posts or parody of current or trending events and receive them as such.
But for Gen Z these are essential tools for communication, self-expression, and identity formation. These platforms have allowed Gen Z to cultivate a global perspective, connecting with peers around the world in ways that were unimaginable for previous generations.
Who ever heard of influencers prior to 2007? But today, “Influencers” wield incredible … well … influence …. on everything from political parties and fashion to makeup and automobiles. These amazing entrepreneurial endeavors have allowed virtually anyone with an opinion, some charm, and a smartphone to gain a “following” that could be readily turned into cash from companies who understand that influence is what drives sales … or shuts them down.
But be AWARE, “this digital world is a double-edged sword, bringing challenges like “cyberbullying,” the pressure to conform to online personas, and the mental health implications of constant social comparison.” (Psychology Today, 2022)
It has been well said that humanity was “not designed to know everything, everywhere, all at once.” We are simply not equipped mentally or emotionally to absorb it all without some challenging consequences. In spite of, and perhaps in some part, because of, their “global connectedness,” Gen Z faces a mental health crisis that has given rise to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and paradoxically, loneliness. The pressure to succeed in a highly competitive, hyper-connected world can be overwhelming, and the blurring of boundaries between online and offline life can exacerbate feelings of isolation (Psychology Today, 2020), as well as stunting the actual personal interactions with other people.
Josh and Maddie Gen Z …
In the church it cannot be denied that God often, though not exclusively, uses young people to usher–in awakenings, revivals, and renewals.
We see it in Scripture …
• Joshua and the generation under 20. (Deuteronomy 1:39)
• Josiah, the boy King, started a revival. (II Chronicles 34:3)
• Jeremiah, the young prophet. (Jeremiah 1:6–7)
• John the Baptist (mid 20’s) (Mark 1:6).
• The Disciples probably ranged in age from 21 to 33. From these
young leaders, the Lord established a Church that “turned the world upside down.”
We see it in modern examples
• Evan Roberts was 24 years old when the Welsh Revival (1904-5) took shape.
• William Seymore was in his 20’s when God started to stir revival in him and as a result the Azusa Street Revival erupted in 1906.
• Yale Revival in 1802 was led by students.
• Billy Graham was 30 years old when the Los Angeles Revival broke out in 1949.
• Wheaton College Awakening in 1950 was led by students.
• A handful of young people (17-24 years old) in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco are considered the initiators of the Jesus Movement in 1967.
• Asbury College Awakening in 2023 was led by students
• Dozens more…
At GABC… just last Sunday, Pastor Michael mentioned the “awakening” (my words not his) that is taking place in our Student Ministry at GABC. The increased evangelism and passion for Jesus from teenagers and the excitement of seeing their friends come to faith in Jesus is obvious! Kurt Fehlis, our incredible Student Pastor, echoed those words with the Deacons last Tuesday night and reported a healthy increase in attendance and evidence of life transformation with our students!
How large is Gen Z at Green Acres? I’m glad you asked! Are you sitting down? Over 4,500!
Could awakening, renewal, or revival be coming to GABC … and starting with Generation Z?
We need to pray for them…
We need to love them…
We need to respect them…
We need to learn from them …
We may even need to follow their example …
Hey Gen Z, we are cheering for you and praying for you!
Hixon