Barna Research recently conducted a webcast on Gen Z. I want to use this post to share some of Barna’s findings on the largest study done on Gen Z as of date. I also want to include some general highlights or comments about Gen Z that stood out to me as I watched.
Four descriptors of Gen Z are that they are career-oriented, they are screenagers, they are extremely diverse, and their context is post-Christian. Spiritually, they are blank-slates with a third being either atheist, agnostic, or a none (non-churched). Only 4% had a biblical worldview and 12% described their sexuality as non-heterosexual. 33% said gender is how they feel, not their birth sex. 66% didn’t think lying was wrong. 57% use screen media four or more hours a day.
43% said educational achievement was very important to having a strong sense of self. Surprising, this ranked above family/religion (34%). Even more surprising was that 37% identified gender as very important to their sense of self and 29% of Gen Z said they knew someone who had changed their gender identity.
Only 20% wanted to be married by the age of 30 and only 12% wanted to be a parent before the age of 30. Thirty-eight percent just wanted to enjoy life in their 20’s. What Gen Z did want to accomplish before age 30 was finishing education/starting a career (66%) and becoming financially independent (65%). In fact, Gen Z sees financial independence as the primary mark of adulthood, not emotional maturity (as their predecessors, the Millennials did).
51% of Gen Z claimed happiness as their ultimate goal and 43% of these defined happiness in terms of financial success.
The data means next generation leaders need to help the next generation wade through their doubt (science/evolution was causing this generation trouble in their beliefs as they claimed to believe in facts, but not truth), offer more challenge/training (less safety/entertainment for a bubble-wrapped population segment), assist in developing relational (social media is making people less social) and decision-making skills (answers not found on google caused Gen Z confusion/anxiety), while providing vocational discipleship as well as discipleship in terms of gender issues.
A summation of individual responses from Gen Z on why it was hard to live for Christ in today’s world included (1) I feel all alone, (2) I don’t feel I can answer everyone’s questions about my faith, (3) I don’t want to be viewed as an extremist, (4) There are so many distractions, (5) Culture says we are intolerant or judgmental, and (6) It’s hard to defend my faith when challenged.
Thus, next generation leaders need to provide Gen Z with reasons for their faith (truth is not relative and there are consequences for not following truth), emphasize relationships (God is not an abstract idea, but a real person who wants a relationship with you), and provide rhythms where Gen Z can practice their faith (“We believe what we repeatedly do”).
Gen Z was found lacking a moral compass or sense of true north. In a society where a strong opinion can be seen as offensive, Gen Z was often afraid to challenge and afraid to share. Gen Z is extremely sensitive to certain topics and was often found saying, “I don’t know,” “not sure,” or “I’m so confused.” In college, students are often given trigger warnings before hearing about sensitive topics and allowed to leave the room if compelled to do so.
Gen Z often compared themselves to others and FOMO is real. Social medial became their arbiter of happiness and served to remind them that they themselves were not happy. Next generation leaders should teach that happiness is not end-all, be-all in life.
I hope this inside look will help you understand Gen Z so you minister more effectively to them!