Article sponsored by TENx10, an initiative to help faith matter more for the next generation.
Recent data paints a picture of a digitally connected but lonely Generation Z. With an average of nine hours spent on their phones and an attention span of eight seconds, nearly half of American teens say they use the Internet almost constantly.
Does this mean that digital natives, or those born in the age of digital technology, are inherently incompatible with the values and community offered by traditional churches – or is there a better way to bridge the divide and connect authentically with these younger generations?
Cedar Sinai research finds that despite constant online connectivity, Gen Z reports greater loneliness than older adults. Other studies highlight Gen Z’s desire for authenticity, meaning, and in-person experiences. So, if community and shared living are fundamental tenets of the Church, why does the generation with the information at their fingertips feel so disconnected?
The rapid evolution of communication plays a role. From letters to texts to social networks, the desire for connection remains, but the paths diverge. This “digital-analog divide” could leave Gen Z feeling unwelcome in non-digital spaces, potentially pushing them toward communities beyond church walls.
THE Pinetops Foundation Report paints a sobering picture: The American Church is losing about a million young people a year, and projections estimate that 35 million people will disaffiliate by 2050. We are at a critical juncture. The next 30 years will provide the greatest mission opportunity in the history of the American Church.
Although factors such as the rise of secularism and the decline of religious authority contribute to this massive drift in the Church, the lack of meaningful engagement warrants further examination. A study of Research on the bench found that Gen Z’s disaffiliation is not driven by crises of faith or rejection of teachings. Instead, young people say they feel disconnected from the Church as an institution, choosing instead to find community online, at home or in small groups. This begs the question: What message is the Church sending that makes Gen Z feel like they don’t belong?
Despite changing communication styles, the inherent need for community – with God and with each other – remains. In their last research, Barna Group and Impact 360 outline Gen Z’s stated priorities: technology, identity, worldview, family, safety and diversity, which are not so different from those of generations past. But Gen Z prefers to address these concerns in smaller, more intimate spaces, and their message to faith communities is clear: share the gospel, teach fundamentals, and model the life of Christ authentically.
Bridging the gap
TENx10 aims to help churches address this challenge by partnering with senior leaders to address this misalignment. Recognizing the online world as a bridge to deeper connection within the Church, they encourage:
TENx10 believes the church needs Gen Z, and Gen Z needs the church. By cultivating deep intentionality, we can bridge the digital divide and build a vibrant community of faith.
To learn more about their efforts to make faith matter more to the next generation, visit tenx10.org.
