Part Two: The Post-Moderns, GenX,Y, and Z

PREFACE: Yesterday I shared a little of what I learned and some of what I included in a paper I wrote for a class on the five generations alive today. The post yesterday included information about the traditionalists, baby boomers, and the modernist mind set that has woven through those years and beyond. Just as I did yesterday, I want to acknowledge that we're each unique and that more than the year we were born, the historical events of our childhood, or shared values of a place and time make us who we are. None of this is meant to criticize, glorify, or over-simplify. But, I think if used properly, information such as this could help us love better as we offer grace, and recognize that God has had a purpose for each of these group's strengths, and that a little introspection can help us overcome some of the obstacles that consistently trip us up. 

The post-modern mindset began taking shape after the Boomers hit their “prime” years. Thorsen's book, An Exploration of Christian Theology devotes many pages to a comparison of modernism and post-modernism. In short, post-modernism denies absolute truth. While post-modernism may not care as much about other people’s version of facts, they do care very much about hearing others’ stories (Thorsen 33). They find the historic use of power in evangelism (59) a turn-off to Christianity. In short, this refers to manifest destiny and the crusades. In faith conversations with post-moderns, Thorsen encourages  an "appeal to classical Christian texts”, an emphasis on the goodness of the pre-fallen state in Genesis, and narratives such as the parables that allow room for the hearer to extract the truths themselves (34). Kara Powell, of Sticky Faith and Growing Young writing team, often expresses that “warm is the new cool” for the post-modern generations. She teaches that “Young people seek a messy warmth, rather than neat and tidy, and they desire to share their messiness and walk alongside the real, authentic messiness of others. As young people develop, personal relationships are key, and they desire an honest experience that feels like family.” This knowledge flips the advice for faith sharing with the modernist generations upside down. Smoke and lights, air-tight debates, and mic drops just aren't what they used to be. This explains why a careful study of the last three generation categories may be important for moderns reaching out to a post-modern culture.

Gen X includes those born between 1965-1980, at least according to the break down given in Shaw’s book (Shaw 63). I was born in 1980 so I might be part of GenX, and I might be part of GenZ, depending on who you ask. I've also been called a "geriatric millennial." Rise in divorce rate, downward mobility, and the use of parody as a humorous coping mechanism defines this generation. They are computer natives, as computers existed in some way in their lives from an early age. Most of us died of dysentery at least once on the Oregon Trail...the computer one, not the real one. And "they" grew up while the technology expanded. They can tell you the full evolutionary cycle of the cell phone, starting with Knight Rider's Car phone. Gen X has many strengths, such as their value of community, seeing the spiritual in all of life, and valuing life and family over work and tangible accomplishments. They saw the downsides of the lives their Baby Boomer parents lived and found ways to compensate. But their kryptonite includes an insistence on building their own truth and being cynical of institution and establishment...ask any grunge rock band. The relationship between this generation and church, and therefore also faith altogether, may be a bit strained. But it helps when they “find family in church” (207), create opportunity for interaction within church (208) and see how "Jesus taught a better worldview than ‘true for you but not for me’.” We Gen X boys and girls need to be reminded sometimes that "You Do You" was not in the beatitudes. In the article “Evangelism and GenZ” Timothy Keller reflects on the contrast between Boomers and GenX, saying that “GenX, on the other hand, needed to hear that what they perceived as freedom was another form of enslavement and only Jesus could give the true freedom.” Our hang-ups and habits matter. They hurt us and they hurt others. We can trust God’s laws because of God’s love. Personal freedom isn't all it's cracked up to be, and despite being the "latch key" generation, we can't do it all on our own.

The Millennial generation break-down varies but Shaw sees it as those born between 1981-2001. As the pendulum began to swing and GenX continued doing everything differently than their parents, including the way they raise children, their Millennial offspring were shaped by heavy parental involvement (82), fear of low self-esteem (83), consumerism (84), technology everywhere and a phenomenon known as “emerging adulthood” (85). Many experts also explain this as extended adolescence, which starts earlier than ever before but also ends much later, at age 26, than any other generation has experienced. As a children's pastor this becomes frustrating, as kids who played with tea sets and action figures one year, come back after the summer, full-blown 9-year-old teenagers, suddenly much too chill for Veggie Tales and playdough. So I find myself scrambling to re-evaluate. But then, we see these same kids later down the line living at home longer, waiting longer to get driver's licenses, decide on a career, etc. Once again, as I said yesterday, different does not mean wrong...just different. Millennials excel at searching for meaning, authenticity and teamwork. Temptations of the Millennials include missing their contradictions in their own morality. Millennial Christians often minimize the importance of the local church (99) and confuse the “be good, feel good, live your life” message which bombards them for more timeless truths. They are also more uncomfortable than any other generation, before or after them with sharing their faith, and think it's even wrong to. When speaking with a millennial its helpful to use humor, explain the why behind what you're doing and don't skip the hard questions.

Those born after 1997 fall into Gen Z, according to the article “Evangelism and GenZ.” GenZ spent almost their entire lives in a nation at war with the Middle East. They have also spent their entire lives with easy access to technology. They went to classes over the internet during a pandemic and have watched school shootings become “normalized.” These heavy and often traumatic experiences shaped them during their most formative years. Already, though,,GenZ has many strengths, including a relaxed acceptance that others may have different views than them, making them more comfortable than millennials with sharing their faith. They do not typically feel judged or hated by differences of opinion. They value identity and justice. However, from the faith perspective, this generation is more unfamiliar with Christianity and the Bible than any other generation and has even been called the first “truly post Christian generation.” When asked about their disbelief they often cite “the problem of evil.” So, "Gen Z isn’t asking philosophical questions about epistemology (the theory of knowing). Gen Z wants to know that the gospel is beautiful and true, and that it is deeply concerned about justice.” The article “Actions, Invitations, Storytelling” says “Over four in five U.S. Christian Gen Z teens (83%) note that letting your actions speak rather than using words to explain your faith to someone is more likely to create a positive response.” They obviously value authenticity in every area of their lives.

Everyone we meet has a unique, God-given blueprint. But noticing certain overall patterns can help us be more effectively when working and speaking with them, as we begin to recognize the different events and values which shaped each generation. An awareness of my own tendencies and the reasons for the tendencies of those around me has the potential of making me a better pastor, a better mom, a better daughter, and even a better person to sit next to in church. I hope you find it useful as well.

Work Cited

“Actions, Invitations, Storytelling-How Gen z Approaches Evangelism.” Barna Group, https://www.barna.com/research/gen-z-evangelism/.

Brumley, Jeff. “Gen Z Christians More Open to Share Their Faith than Millennials.” Baptist News Global, 5 Aug. 2021, https://baptistnews.com/article/gen-z-christians-more-open-to-share-their-faith-than-millennials.

Grenz, Stanley J. Postmodernity and Evangelical Christianity. Proclaiming the Story of God. Retrieved August 1, 2022.

 

Phillips, D. M. (n.d.). Reasons for Conversion. Proclaiming the Story of God. Retrieved August 1, 2022.

Powell, Kara Eckmann. Growing Young: Six Essential Strategies to Help Young People Discover and Love Your Church. Baker Books, a Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2016.

Shaw, Haydn, and Ginger Kolbaba. Generational IQ: Christianity Isn't Dying, Millennials Aren't the Problem, and the Future IS BRIGHT. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2015.

Thorsen, Don. An Exploration of Christian Theology. Baker Academic, a Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2020.

Tonne, Ethan. “Evangelism and Gen Z.” Christ Presbyterian Church Tulsa, OK, Christ Presbyterian Church Tulsa, OK, 12 Feb. 2021, https://www.christpresbyterian.church/cpc-blog/2021/2/11/evangelism-and-gen-z.