Why Generation Z’s Distorted View of God Matters

Being born into a culture that is saturated by Post-Modernism is distorting Gen Z’s view of God.

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Gen Z. They are today’s children…the youngest of six generations that are currently alive.

• GI Generation (born 1901-1926)
• Silent Generation (born 1927-1945)
• Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964)
• Generation X (born 1965-1980)
• Millennial/Gen Y Generation (born 1981-2000)
• Gen Z (born 2001+)

Each of these generations as a whole have been moving farther away from the truth. You can see this in the following percentage of people in the generations who are not affiliated with any religion.

• Silent Generation – 11 percent unaffiliated
• Baby Boomers – 17 percent unaffiliated
• Gen X – 23 percent unaffiliated
• Older Millennials – 34 percent unaffiliated
• Younger Millennials – 36 percent unaffiliated

We also know that even among those attending church, they are attending less frequently. “Regular attenders” used to mean three to four times a month. Now it means one to two times a month. Gen Z kids are attending church less frequently than any previous generation because their parents are taking them much less frequently.
This slide has been fueled for the most part by Post-Modernism. Over the generations, Post-Modernism has penetrated our society/culture and now owns it. Post-Modernism says…

• There are no moral absolutes.
• There are many paths to God (pluralism).
• Trust is relative.
• Each person must decide for themselves what is right and wrong.

Being born into a culture that is saturated by Post-Modernism is distorting Gen Z’s view of God. They aren’t being taught Who God is and how we can have a relationship with Him. A recent video that was very popular on YouTube shows an example of this. I must warn you, there are parts of the video that I believe are highly inappropriate for a child to be discussing, but it again shows where our society is. Watch the video and then I’ll pick back up with our discussion.
You can see Post-Modernism oozing out of their statements about God…

• I am an atheist.
• God is a guy up in the clouds, like on the Simpsons.
• God is a frog.
• Jesus is the mommy. He is a Hexagon.
• We’re all part of the same family.
• I imagined all different religions having their own god portrayed and I didn’t want to just do one, so I did all of them.

It is easy to become disheartened when seeing this. But don’t be. The good news is we have an unprecedented opportunity to reach kids and families with the Gospel. The Gospel is just as powerful as it ever was. When we share the truth about God and His Son, Jesus, with kids and families, many of them will respond. The church, like never before, must be about spreading the Gospel.
The church must also be intentional about teaching kids solid, Bible doctrine. “What” we teach is more important than ever before. I’m not saying we should make church a boring experience. “How” we teach must be engaging, fun and learner-based. But just teaching kids cute values and surface level lessons will not prepare them to spiritually survive the Post-Modern culture in which they are entrenched from birth.
Children’s ministry leader, you are on the front lines in this. You matter. What you do matters. Walk in God’s power and let’s reach Gen Z.
This article originally appeared here.

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By Dale Hudson

Dale Hudson has served in children and family ministry for over 25 years. He is the Director of Children’s Ministries at Christ Fellowship Church in Palm Beach, Florida. He has been named one of the Top 20 Influencers in Children’s Ministry. He is the co-author of six ministry books, including 100 Best Ideas to Turbocharge Your Children’s Ministry.