Gen Z (2000-2015) is an interesting generation. They have never licked a stamp and Google has always existed. 41% attend religious services at least weekly and 78% profess a belief in God (though not necessarily the Christian God.) They grew up with the internet, social media, and so much more.
With social media, they receive both positive and negative affirmations from society and the problem of “Keeping up with the Joneses” has been totally revolutionized. No longer do you see your neighbor’s new car when you pass by his house, you also see his new ride in pictures on Facebook, Instagram, and SnapChat. For Gen Z, keeping up with their peers is a big deal. Losing a SnapChat streak can be devastating and not getting enough “Likes” on an Instagram post can be discouraging. The problems Gen Z face, whether it be from social media, schedules that are too busy, the need to perform well in school, or to keep up with their peers are unique challenges for them, as they are experiencing it for the first time. While we have experienced similar battles (and continue to experience these battles), we are not immune to trying to keep up with the Joneses. We are in the same rat race as our students, though we have a bit more experience with dealing with the problem. Since this be the case, we have a responsibility to help our students work through the challenges they face. When they feel like failures, outcasts, anxious and worried, or overcome with stress, what can we do? First, we do not need to dismiss their feelings. While we may not see the number of followers (or lack thereof) as a big deal, it is often a big deal to our students. We need to listen to their concerns and then remind them that while “heaven and earth will pass away, [God’s] words will never pass away” (Mt. 24.35). God is much bigger than the number of followers we may (or may not) have on social media. He defines who we are in Christ…not another person. In other words, their worth and value is not connected to the number of followers they have on social media. What’s more, if they are stressed or worried because of overloaded schedules, the fix is simple: Consider their schedule with them and determine what can be cut out. Second, we must pray for them and with them. We do not pray on them (i.e. “God jerk a knot into little Johnny and get him back on track so he doesn’t burn in hell.”) Rather, we pray for them. We pray that God would grow them in wisdom and in stature (Lk. 2.52) and that he would bless and guide them (Num. 6.24-26; Ps. 32.8). We must pray for them in their presence. May they know what it’s like to be prayed for by Mom and Dad, and Papaw and Mamaw. (While we do not need to “pray on them” in their presence, it may be necessary that we pray for the Holy Spirit to convict them of sin, righteousness, and judgement (Jh. 16.9). When that be the case, pray that God would bring them back to the fold.) Furthermore, the Pastors of your local church do not need to be the only ones praying for and with your students. While we are more than happy to pray with people, students need to know that you are praying for them because as the parents, you are the primary influence (and disciple-maker) in their lives. Finally, we encourage them to embrace their identity in Christ, as we embrace ours. It was once said, “we teach what we know, but reproduce who we are.” We cannot help mold and shape students into faithful disciples if we ourselves are not faithfully following the Lord Jesus. Granted, we are not a finished product either (Phil. 1.6), but we are to model a life of ongoing obedience and repentance. In the end, Gen Z is an interesting generation and I love them deeply. As a Student Pastor, it is a joy to be able to serve and love on Gen Z students. If you’re reading this as a leader of Gen Z students (teachers, youth workers, coaches, etc.), then know you have an awesome responsibility. If you’re reading this as a parent, then know I am rooting for you as you get to experience the joy that is parenting. On the Journey, KT Interested in knowing more about Gen Z? Check out my PowerPoint: Gen Z: A Field Guide to the American Teenager.
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Our lives are often marked with defining moments and extraordinary people that God uses to shape who we are. For me, there is one man who stands out above all the rest: Bro. Joe Blackwell. Bro. Joe passed away last summer at the young age of 94. He was a man who loved the Lord Jesus deeply and was a hero of mine. Allow me to tell you the story of his faithfulness that captured my admiration for him…
In 2018/19, I was going through a dark and difficult season of life. I often felt confused and alone. Life was not going as I had hoped and I was tired…tired of the pain and tired of being tired. On Thursday, March 7, 2019, Smoky Gibson (a friend and the Pastor of FBC Biloxi) preached in Leavell Chapel at the New Orleans Baptist Seminary. Though I did not attend that service, I did listen to the sermon as I drove back home that afternoon. I was northbound on the Causeway when I heard him say: “People are praying for you every day. Are you living like it or are you wasting their prayers?” I was angry that Smoky would say that, and I began to weep. In my weeping and frustration, I cried out to the Lord: “Lord, there is not one person who is praying for me every day!” What I did not know is that God had a message for me the next day. Bro. Joe had asked earlier in the week to meet with me on Friday, to which I agreed (A general rule of thumb: If a retired Pastor asks a young Pastor for a meeting, the young Pastor would be wise to make the meeting.) The meeting was at 10 AM and when Bro. Joe walked into my office, he said these words: “I am a messenger from the Lord, who has been sent to tell you that I have been praying for you every day, for the past three months.” I do not remember how long Bro. Joe and I talked for, but I do remember that I wept and poured my heart out to this brother. He listened and he responded with compassion and grace. He prayed for me in those moments and shared some great insight with me, insight that I hope I never forget. Of the many things we discussed, he told me this: “Never forget the Holy Spirit.” There were other things that Bro. Joe shared with me, and I’ll share those things eventually; until then, here is one lesson that God has reminded me of these past few days and was demonstrated in Bro. Joe’s faithfulness: Be the person who is faithfully praying for someone else. Granted, it is impossible to faithfully and specifically pray for everyone you know. However, for those whom God has given you a burden, you can pray for faithfully. In my immediate context of Student and College Ministry, I recognize, as Richard Ross has noted, that the adult leaders in youth ministries may be the only adults who are faithfully praying for students by name. So, dear friend, who can you pray for faithfully and by name? May we be a people who emulate Bro. Joe’s example of faithful intercession—albeit our prayers may never be known by anyone other that God himself. Thank you, God, for Bro. Joe. On the Journey, KT *Article updated for typos on Wednesday, March 10, 2021.* Kreig ToddChild of God. Archives
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