Ten Ways “Grown-up” Christians Can Set a Better Example for Gen Z on Social Media

Dear Christians on Social Media, Gen Z is watching. Be careful what and how you post.

The unending scroll of images, ideas, and interactions are transforming the hearts and minds of Gen Z.

Gen Z–today’s teenagers and the generation after Millenials–is on their screens all the time. Our recent study on Gen Z with the Barna Group confirms they are screenagers.

With 57% of today’s teenagers using screens 4+ hours a day and 26% report looking at a screen eight or more hours on an average day, it is beyond question that they are being shaped in profound ways (President of the Barna Group David Kinnaman and I discuss this on a podcast here).

Gen Z is being discipled by their smartphones. The unending scroll of images, ideas, and interactions are transforming their hearts and minds. Their worldview is being altered with every swipe, like, and share.

What is Gen Z Learning By Watching Christians on Social Media?

The fact of the matter is that discipleship is happening all the time online. The question I want to ask here is what is Gen Z learning by watching “grown-up” Christians on Social Media?

What are the behaviors being modeled for the next generation on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram? Here are some of my observations:

• Be reactionary.
• Be snarky.
• Make hasty assumptions without all–or even some–of the facts.
• Don’t think critically, just feel.
• Demonize the opposition.

I am not surprised when I see non-Christians conduct themselves online this way, but as followers of Jesus, we must do better.

God’s Word offers a better way. Paul puts a fine point on it when he writes:

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”–Col. 4:5-6

There is a lot to learn here. Be wise. Be intentional. Be gracious. Be aware of the context and what people in that moment need.

How can we expect the next generation to be wise and gracious online when we are not willing to lead the way?

Another challenging passage from the Bible that should guide our online interactions is from the book of Ephesians:

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”–Eph. 4:29

Be helpful. Build up. Think of others. Lot’s to apply here too!

How Can Christians Set a Better Example for Gen Z on Social Media?

In light of these two passages, how can we set a better example for Gen Z on Social Media? This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it’s a start!

• Am I building up or tearing down with this?
• Do I have all of the facts? Or at least enough of them to make a reasonable judgment here?
• Have I tried to understand the other person’s point of view?
• Am I attacking the person when I should be critiquing their ideas?
• Just because something is trending doesn’t mean I must comment, retweet, like, or share.
• History and culture are complicated, have I oversimplified the issue/topic to more easily marginalize someone who doesn’t share my point of view?
• If I was sitting across from this person would I say what I just said online?
• Is what I am about to post helpful at this time? (some things don’t need to be said at certain times)
• Am I being gracious in how I am saying what I am saying?
• How can I leverage this moment to influence others toward Jesus and the way of life he offers?

Social media can be a powerful tool of influence but it can also be a devastating weapon. As Christians, we need to be careful how we steward our online interactions.

Gen Z has amazing potential for good, let’s do the hard work to disciple them in every area of life. And since they spend a good amount of their young lives online, let’s start there.

Afterall, how can we expect the next generation to be wise and gracious online when we are not willing to lead the way?

Want to learn more about Gen Z and how to better lead them? Watch this free webinar.

Go Deeper:

• Learn more about Gen Z through Season Two of Gen Z Lab
• What are Gen Z’s beliefs concerning Abortion?
• How can the older generations set a good example for Gen Z?

What is Vocation and How do I Find Mine?

The Need: Overcoming Mistaken Identity

A few years ago I had a phone call with one of my former students (we’ll call him James) who was asking for career advice.  He had been out of college for three years. This young man had a ton of potential and skill, but had bounced around from job to job since graduating and didn’t really seem to have much focus. The substance of the call went something like this:

Basie:  “So, James, it sounds like you’re been thinking about your career a good bit. What’s on your mind?”
James: “Well, I was talking with our mutual friend Rick the other day, and he and I are on the same page on this.  We REALLY want to make a difference in what we do in this life.
Basie: “Absolutely! I’m thrilled to hear you still have this conviction.”
James: (Reluctantly) “Right…well, let me put it this way. I believe God is leading me to something bigger—probably much bigger. I’m thinking I’m going to run for office in my congressional district. And if that doesn’t work out, I want to be CEO of an influential, well-respected company.”
Basie: “Wow, James—you have some pretty big hopes and dreams there. It’s good to dream big—too many people don’t really dream at all about what could be. I’ve got a question for you though.”
James: “Ok, shoot.”
Basie: “What are some of the major indicators that tell you these two possibilities are the best ones for you?”
James: “Probably the best indicator for me personally is how I thrived as student body president in college. That was such a great fit and I loved it, and I was good at it.”

To make a long story short, I discovered that James had seized onto the idea that his calling was to be a visible, out-in-front leader of some sort. And, he was sure it was going to happen soon, probably just a few short years down the road. He was determined to make it happen. His passion and energy would get him there, and he even gave a tip of the hat to God’s power in all of it.

A few years came and went, and James and I kept in touch. But, he didn’t land that top spot. He eventually landed in a good place, but only through some trying experiences and hard lessons did he learn that his priorities were out of order. He had not been envisioning true vocation when he dreamed of his larger-than-life future. James craved success, but something other than his God-given design was moving him.

“True vocation is found only through a heart of service to others.” @impact360

He had been dreaming of the accolades and significance that such a “bigger” calling would bring. For James, his understanding of vocation was a case of mistaken identity.  Put differently, James had mistakenly linked his worth—even his very dignity—with achievement and status.  In so doing he had assigned ultimate worth to something fleeting, temporary, and fragile. James did not understand that true vocation is found only through a heart of service to others. He wanted position and influence, but he wasn’t so interested in humble service.  As a Christ-follower, James had forgotten that “every kind of work…is an occasion…for exercising a holy service to God and to one’s neighbor.”[1]

My Self is on a Search—But I’m Coming Up Empty

Like James, all of us are searching for meaning and purpose. To the degree that I am living according to my divine design, to that degree my soul—or “self”—finds meaning and purpose. When I live in a way that is consistent with how God designed me, my search leads to true vocation and a flourishing life. Additionally, mistaken identity is much less likely for me. Why? Because I am living with my chief end in mind, which is to glorify God in every aspect of my being, including my work.[2] If I live with this end in mind, I will not be satisfied with cheap substitutes. Many successful professionals never achieve fullness in this sense. Many are on an ongoing search for meaning through their careers, but all they come up with is perpetual emptiness. They are, in a very real sense “empty selves.” It is no different for Gen Z.

“When I live in a way that is consistent with how God designed me, my search leads to true vocation and a flourishing life.” @impact360

The notion of the empty self became a topic of scholarly study in the 80’s and 90’s, with historian and psychologist Philip Cushman providing groundbreaking thought leadership on the subject. In his 2012 book Love Your God with All Your Mind, Impact 360 Institute guest professor Dr. JP Moreland, takes Cushman’s notion of the empty self and unpacks its characteristics.[3] These include the following: inordinate individualism, infantilism, narcissism, passivity, sensate culture, no interior life, and busy-ness. Although I can easily argue that Gen Z struggles with each of these, let’s take four of the most obvious ones.

Inordinate individualism: McKinsey & Co. found in 2018 that expressing individual truth, or “undefined ID,” is very important to Gen Z.[4] The key here is that they do not want to be defined by stereotypes. Rather, they want to experiment with various ways of “being myself,” and thus shape their identity over time.

Passivity: this goes hand-in-hand with apathy toward growing up, which could be evidence for “a creeping lack of purpose and meaning.” Moreland points out television as a chief culprit. The Barna and Impact 360 Institute research on Gen Z is consistent with this claim, noting that Gen Z members are “screenagers” who have never known a world without the internet or smartphones, and who spend hours and hours each day on their devices.[5]

No interior life: Spirituality is a low priority; only 16% said that becoming spiritually mature is a future goal.[6]

Busy-ness: Exploring “deep” identity isn’t a priority for most; only 31% said they desire to discover who they really are. Doing is primary. Finishing their education, starting a career, and success in that career is the highest priority. [7]

What are we to make of the fact that, for Gen Z career success is the highest priority, but spirituality and discovering their core identity are the lowest priorities? Might it be that Gen Z’ers, like others who have gone before, are not sufficiently aware of their deepest motivations for choosing a career path? How do they discern the way to move forward and avoid the problem of mistaken identity in their search for true vocation? Is it reasonable for an empty self to expect God to grant such discernment in the absence of authentic, biblically-centered spiritual formation?  We will explore these questions in post #2 of this series.

[1] Gene Edward Veith, God at Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2002): 19.
[2] See The Westminster Shorter Catechism, question 1 (https://www.apuritansmind.com/westminster-standards/shorter-catechism/).
[3] See JP Moreland, Love Your God with All Your Mind: The Role of Reason in the Life of the Soul (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2012): 101-111.
[4] Tracy Francis and Fernanda Hoefel, “’True Gen,’: Generation Z and its implications for companies.” McKinsey & Company, November 2018.
[5] Barna Group & Impact 360 Institute (2018), “Gen Z: The Culture, Beliefs and Motivations Shaping the Next Generation,” p. 15-16.
[6] Ibid., p. 38.
[7] Ibid., p. 38-39.

Why Gen Z Is Not Prepared To Follow Jesus In A Post-Everything World

Is Gen Z prepared to follow Jesus in a post-everything world?

As Christian leaders, pastors, educators, and parents, we want what’s best for our kids. We want to see them grow up and follow Jesus for a lifetime.

Unfortunately, many Christian teenagers are simply unprepared for the world that is waiting for them. We all know students who have drifted, become disillusioned or just walked away from the faith. Even one heartbreaking story is enough to move us to action. No student should “outgrow” their faith. It doesn’t have to be this way.

Creating Disney World-like Environments in our Churches is not Preparing Gen Z

With the best of intentions, we bubble wrap our kids and create Disney World–like environments for them in our churches, and then wonder why they have no resilience in faith or life. Students are entertained but not prepared. They’ve had a lot of fun but are not ready to lead. In fact, this is the least Christian generation to date.

When the pressure is turned up and the tyranny of tolerance presses in, Christian teenagers tend to wilt if they do not have the confidence that only comes from knowing why they believe what they believe. As my friend David Kinnaman, author of You Lost Me and President of the Barna Group, put it while we were working on this Gen Z study together, “Is it possible that many churches are preparing young Christians to face a world that no longer exists?” My experience working with students leads me to answer yes to this question in most cases. Unbelief and atheism is on the rise in Gen Z.

Culture is Changing Fast and Teenagers are Confused.

Our culture is changing fast and teenagers are confused. The research in this new report bears that out. The focus groups Barna conducted with both believing and unbelieving students drove this point home.

When only 34 percent of Gen Z can agree that “lying is morally wrong”— that’s a big problem. Not only is our culture deeply confused about moral and spiritual truth, gender and sexuality, but we are getting to the point where no one will listen to someone else’s point of view unless they completely agree with them.

When only 34 percent of Gen Z can agree that “lying is morally wrong”— that’s a big problem.

Social media keeps us superficially engaged and overwhelmed by data, opinions and information, and Gen Z is now the test case for the long-term effects on identity. Social media is completely reinventing what it means to come of age as a teenager. There’s a lot for Gen Z to navigate.

Social media is completely reinventing what it means to come of age as a teenager.

New Barna Study Sheds Light On Emerging Worldview of Gen Z

At Impact 360 Institute we have the privilege of teaching, mentoring and equipping teenagers in biblical worldview and leadership. We get to work with students every day in our Christian Gap Year (Fellows) and summer experiences, helping them build a stronger faith.

We hear their questions, doubts, and stories, but we wanted a broader lens on this next generation to better understand how Gen Z as a whole sees the world around them.

Working with David Kinnaman, Brooke Hempell, Roxanne Stone, and the incredible team at Barna, we commissioned a comprehensive study on Gen Z that would seek to answer significant questions like:

• What do they believe about the biggest questions of life?
• What unique opportunities and challenges will Christian leaders 
and parents face while trying to pass on their faith to the next 
generation?
• What do they view as central to their identity?
• Will they carry on the Millennial trends Barna has been studying 
for more than a decade? How are they different?
• What is their relationship to faith, parents and institutions?
• How have culture and society shaped them?
• How are they thinking about what it means to become an adult?

While it can be tempting in our culture to only pay attention to negative trends, there are positive trends as well. What we chose to focus on makes all the difference. Because Jesus is risen and Christianity is true, we have a living hope regardless of the cultural circumstances we find ourselves in. Whether we are in the majority or being marginalized, our charge as followers of Jesus is to be faithful to pass on our faith to the next generation.

As the father of three children, I want to keep them from dead ends because I want something better for them—the kind of joy, confidence, and love that only comes from knowing Jesus for a lifetime. The goal is not just to avoid the bad stuff. It’s to pursue the good life as God defines.

Our hope is that the information in this Gen Z study and the resources you find here (videos, podcast, articles, and courses) makes you aware of the challenges so that you can prepare, but also gives you a way to frame and invest in the opportunities for incredible in the influence that awaits Gen Z.

Everything we do here at Impact 360 revolves around cultivating leaders who follow Jesus. We want to be an ally for you as you equip Gen Z. Let us know how we can help.

Click here for media interviews/inquiries on this Gen Z study.

Gen Z: The Most Anxious Generation

A second theme related to the theme of drive is a dichotomy between anxiety and empowerment. In order to be considered either anxious or empowered, respondents meet the following criteria:

Those who are anxious always or usually feel:

• “afraid to fail,”
• “anxious about important decisions” and
• “uncertain about the future.”

Those who are empowered always or usually feel:

• “able to accomplish my goals,”
• “satisfied with my life choices,”
• “someone believes in me,”
• “prepared for everyday life,”
• “optimistic about the future” and
• “deeply cared for by those around me.”

About one in four members of Gen Z meets the criteria for empowered (25%) or anxious (26%). Their inherent desire for success and the accompanying weight of expectations seem to push them toward one of two extremes—anxiety or empowerment—or, for a small percentage (5%), some fusion of these seemingly incongruent emotions.

Will they falter beneath the weight of their ambitions and dreams? Or can empowered, empowering parents and mentors offer support systems that give steadiness to Gen Z’s drive? Their ambitious mindset distinguishes them as a generation and should be both cultivated and continually recalibrated as they set their course for a healthy adulthood.

About the Research
Interviews for this study were conducted using an online consumer panel of 1,503 U.S. teens and young adults ages 13 to 21 between June 15 and July 17, 2020. Quotas and minimal weighting were used to ensure data are representative of known U.S. Census ethnicity, gender, age and region. Margin of error is ±2.53 percent.

Impact 360 Propel is a 1-week transformational worldview and leadership experience for high school students.  Ground your faith in Biblical Christianity. Become confident in why you believe. Step deeper into who God has called you to be.

Gen Z Feels Judged by Older Generations

How does Gen Z’s drive impact their overall well-being? Researchers found via factor analysis that many of the “how often do you feel…” statements asked within the 2020 survey trend together—meaning that if someone responds to statement A in a certain way, they are also likely to respond the same way to statements B, C and D. This approach enabled analysts to identify certain thematic elements related to feelings and well-being among Gen Z.

The first theme that emerges is the experience of pressure. In order to be considered either internally or externally pressured, respondents meet all of the following criteria

Those who are internally pressured always or usually feel:

• “pressure to be successful” and
• “a need to be perfect.”

Those who are externally pressured always or usually feel:

• “judged by older generations” and
• “pressured by my parents’ expectations.”

In all, about one-third (31%) can be categorized as “internally pressured” and one-quarter (25%) as externally pressured.” About two in five of all Gen Z (41%) qualify as at least one or the other. Feelings of pressure are consistent with Gen Z’s inherent drive, but the differing sources of this pressure are worth noting.

Today’s teens and young adults surely feel the weight of expectations from parents, teachers, and older adults—as many elder adults have felt before during this life stage—but an even larger proportion of Gen Z feels this weight from within. In relentlessly pursuing their aspirations, Gen Z needs wisdom to root their expectations of themselves in grace.

About the Research
Interviews for this study were conducted using an online consumer panel of 1,503 U.S. teens and young adults ages 13 to 21 between June 15 and July 17, 2020. Quotas and minimal weighting were used to ensure data are representative of known U.S. Census ethnicity, gender, age and region. Margin of error is ±2.53 percent.

Gen Z are “Positive Pessimists”

In 2018, Barna and Impact 360 Institute released Gen Z: The Culture, Beliefs and Motivations Shaping the Next Generation, which sought to help church leaders understand the next, next generation, digging deep into their relationships with faith, their perception of identity, and their hopes for the future. Now, just a few years later, Barna and Impact 360 Institute have once again teamed up to learn more about this young generation.

Gen Z, Volume 2: Caring for Young Souls and Cultivating Resilience picks ups up where volume one ended, checking back in as the oldest members of this generation are emerging into the workforce. While tracking data has allowed researchers to follow trends presented in the first study, new questions also seek to learn more about Gen Z’s emotional lives, relationship to technology, and perceptions of faith. Today’s article offers a glimpse into this generation’s perceptions of success, anxiety, and empowerment.

Over Three in Five Gen Z Hope to Achieve a Lot in the Next 10 Years
As Gen Z Volume 1 highlights, ambition—drive, as we’re calling it—is a key generational attribute shared among today’s young adults and teens. Two-thirds of respondents to the 2016–2017 survey told researchers that finishing their education and starting a career were among their future goals. Yet for many, success is more than mere aspiration; it is a key source of identity. More than two in five reported that educational and professional achievement is very important to their sense of self.

These trends extend into the 2020 data, as well. Asked if they feel they have been successful thus far in life, three-quarters (77%) agree. Looking toward the next 10 years, nearly all (91%) agree they hope to achieve a great deal.

Despite generally having a success-oriented mindset, Gen Z’s future-orientation doesn’t necessarily equal sunny optimism. Three in four (73%) agree that their perspective on life tends to be positive, but more than half say they tend to expect the worst to happen (56%). In fact, roughly one-third agree with both statements, making them what we might call “positive pessimists.” While the two mindsets may appear paradoxical, Gen Z’s guardedness makes sense: While members of this generation are eager to achieve, many ground their drive in a healthy dose of realism. With sights set on success, they are also wary of too-lofty expectations.

About the Research
Interviews for this study were conducted using an online consumer panel of 1,503 U.S. teens and young adults ages 13 to 21 between June 15 and July 17, 2020. Quotas and minimal weighting were used to ensure data are representative of known U.S. Census ethnicity, gender, age and region. Margin of error is ±2.53 percent.

Introducing: Gen Z Lab

Today’s teens are living in a different world, a world with new rules.

Do you know what Gen Z is facing? Do you want to know how to help lead them through the toughest questions they encounter each day?

In Gen Z Lab we’ve gathered thought leaders to help you understand the unique challenges facing Gen Z and equip you to lead the next generation in a post-Christian culture.

Welcome to Gen Z Lab: Your Guide to Leading the Next Generation in a post-Christian Culture

Gen Z Lab is your guide to leading the next generation in a post-Christian culture. It exists to spark a conversation for leaders around the challenges and opportunities presented to Gen Z.

Gen Z Lab is a conversation with some of today’s leading experts on the next generation.  In Gen Z Lab, you’ll have access to hours of exclusive video content from thought leaders like Jonathan Morrow, Sean McDowell, Trip Lee, and Christopher Yuan. Also, you will have access to a private Facebook group for discussions and encouragement with other Gen Z leaders.

Become better equipped to handle some of Gen Z’s biggest challenges, including: truth and relativism, gender identity, sexuality, technology, and post-Christian culture.

Help Gen Z navigate a post-Christian culture. Sign up for Gen Z Lab today and join us for both season one and season two! 

Who is Gen Z?

Over the past year, Impact 360 Institute has worked closely with Barna on a landmark study of Gen Z. Impact 360 works with the next generation—with teenagers and college students—to equip them in biblical worldview and leadership. This new study is a snapshot of the ways Gen Z sees the world and the culture. Who is Gen Z? What are their assumptions and values? What is shaping them? How can we better equip them, reach them and help them follow Jesus with confidence in this culture?

Download the Gen Z Infographic

According to Roxanne Stone, Barna’s Editor in Chief, “America has been wringing its hands over Millennials for a while now. We’ve called them narcissists. We’ve worried about their employment rates. We’ve wondered why they’re taking so long to get married. We’ve noticed the alarming rates at which they’re dropping out of church. In other words, talking about Millennials has become something of an American pastime. But there is a new generation coming into adulthood. The first wave of Gen Z is entering college this year. Who are they? Will they carry on the Millennial trends we’ve been studying for decades? How are they different? What is their relationship to faith, to parents, to institutions? How has culture and society shaped them?

“Will Gen Z carry on the Millennial trends we’ve been studying for decades?”

First, why are we calling them Gen Z? Well, you may remember that Millennials were originally called Gen Y because they were born after Gen X, before they became Millennials. The same is probably true for Gen Z. Eventually, they’ll get their own name, once the particularities of their generation become clear. You may hear some people already referring to them as the ‘iGen’ or ‘digital natives’ because of their relationship with technology. Others called them the ‘homeland generation’ because most of them were born after 9/11. You may also hear ‘centennials’ or ‘founders’—but for now, the most widely accepted title is Gen Z.

“Gen Z was born between 1999 and 2015, making the oldest of them 18 this year. Most of them are in their teens and childhood years. Gen Z is the second largest generation alive today. In the U.S. there are 69 million of them, compared to 66 million Millennials, 55 million Gen Xers and 76 million Boomers. The parents of Gen Z are Gen X and Millennials. They are most ethnically diverse generation alive today, and they have, for better and worse, grown up with technology at their fingertips. The smartphone was invented before most of them were even born.

These are the basic facts about Gen Z, but we wanted to go deeper. We wanted to know how this new generation thinks, how they perceive the world and themselves. So we went straight to the source. We interviewed 13– to 18-year-olds in a multi-pronged, multi-month survey. First, the qualitative stage. We interviewed individual 13– to 18-year-olds about their lives, beliefs, activities. Then we took the results from those interviews and developed a questionnaire for a nationally representative sample of 1,490 13– to 18-year-olds. We asked them about their faith, home lives, friendships, social activities, media and technology habits, goals for life, political beliefs, even their ideas on gender.

Of course, generations never take shape in a vacuum, and Gen Z is definitely still taking shape. Most of them live at home with their parents and are heavily influenced by their teachers and mentors. So we also surveyed parents of Gen Z and youth pastors who work with Gen Z. We wanted to find out how their influences have affected and continue to affect teens. Taken together, this is a comprehensive, groundbreaking study on the least-researched generation thus far. Every generation matters to the life of the Church, including its youngest. We believe we have much to learn from and about Gen Z. The research in this study is an important first step in serving and equipping this next generation.”

Here’s what you need to know: The research will be unveiled at a free public event on January 23rd in Atlanta, Georgia, accompanied by a national webcast for those who cannot attend in person. We are excited to announce that Impact 360 Institute’s Director of Cultural Engagement, Jonathan Morrow, will be unpacking the study findings alongside Barna president David Kinnaman and a team of other dynamic speakers.

Understanding Gen Z is critical if we want to serve, lead, influence and equip this next generation. This research will be impactful and valuable for pastors, youth workers, parents, educators and anyone who cares about the next, next generation.

“Understanding Gen Z is critical if we want to serve, lead, influence and equip this next generation.”