GenZ Won't Come to Church - How are you reaching them?
Gen Z Won’t Come to Church—How are you reaching them?
A Five-Point Guide for GenX Leaders:
How Christian Ministries Can Capture Gen Z’s Attention.
Hey there, church leaders! If you’re an elder Millennial or Gen X (all those born between the mid-’60s to the late ‘80s), you’ve probably noticed that reaching younger generations feels like trying to tune a radio station that keeps slipping out of range. Generation Z—those born roughly between 1997 and 2012—is a moving target. They’re the kids who’ve never known a world without smartphones, who swipe past anything that doesn’t grab them in three seconds, and who’d rather watch a TikTok than sit through a sermon. As someone who’s seen the rise of AOL chatrooms or the early days of Facebook, you might feel a little out of your depth. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to become a TikTok dancer or meme lord to connect with Gen Z online. You just need to understand their world and meet them there with the timeless truth of the gospel.
The stakes are high. Gen Z is the most digitally connected generation yet, but they’re also the most likely to identify as “nones”—those with no religious affiliation. They’re not automatically walking through your church doors like we might have back in the day. If Christian ministries want to reach them, we’ve got to go where they are: online, scrolling, and skeptical. Based on what’s working in 2025, here’s a playbook tailored for you—leaders who’ve got a few decades of wisdom but might need a nudge to rethink outreach in a digital age.
1. Master Short-Form Video: It’s Their Language
Remember when we thought a 30-minute TV sitcom was short? For Gen Z, 30 seconds is the sweet spot. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts dominate their attention, with billions of hours clocked on bite-sized content. If you’re picturing endless cat videos, think again—these platforms are also where Gen Z explores big ideas, from mental health to spirituality.
For your ministry, this means crafting videos that pack a punch in 15-60 seconds. Share a quick testimony (“How I found peace in chaos”), a gospel nugget (“Jesus gets your mess”), or a question they’re wrestling with (“Does God care about my anxiety?”). Use trending audio or a funny hook—think a pastor lip-syncing a popular sound before dropping a truth bomb. The goal isn’t to go viral (though that’d be nice); it’s to stop the scroll long enough to plant a seed.
Pro tip: You don’t need Hollywood production values. A smartphone, decent lighting, and a real person speaking from the heart beat a slick ad any day. Get your youth leaders or Gen Z members to lead these efforts—they’ll know the vibe better than we ever will.
2. Be Real: Authenticity Trumps Perfection
Back in our day, church often meant putting on your Sunday best—literally and figuratively. Gen Z? They see through that faster than you could burn a mix CD. They crave authenticity over polish, raw over rehearsed. They’re not impressed by a preacher in a suit who’s got it all together—they want someone who’s been in the trenches and isn’t afraid to say so.
This is where you can shine. Share stories from your ministry that don’t hide the mess—maybe the time you doubted God’s plan or how your church rallied after a failure. Highlight testimonies from your congregation, especially younger voices who’ve wrestled with faith and come out stronger. Ditch the “holier-than-thou” tone for something closer to “we’re figuring this out together.”
Live streams are gold here. Host an Instagram Live where you answer unfiltered questions—about doubt, suffering, or whatever’s trending online. Show the human side of your ministry: Maybe it’s a behind-the-scenes look at prepping for a service or a candid chat about what keeps you up at night. Gen Z will stick around if they trust you’re not selling them a façade.
3. Make It a Two-Way Street: Engagement Is Everything
We grew up in a world where “participation” meant raising your hand in Sunday school. For Gen Z, it’s about co-creating their experience. They don’t just want to consume your content—they want to shape it. This isn’t passive pew-sitting; it’s active, digital dialogue.
Start simple: Post a question on your socials like, “What’s one way God showed up for you this week?” Use polls (“Which Bible verse hits you hardest right now?”) or challenges (“Tag a friend who needs prayer”). Take it up a notch with platforms like Discord or Twitch—yep, the gamer hangouts—for live Bible studies or Q&As. Imagine a virtual youth group where they can type reactions, ask hard questions, or even suggest topics. It’s less about you delivering a message and more about them wrestling with faith alongside you.
The payoff? They’ll feel heard, not preached at. And that’s when the gospel starts sticking.
4. Meet Them on Their Turf: Mobile and Cultural Relevance
Let’s be honest: Our generation built websites on desktop monitors and thought “mobile-friendly” was a bonus. Gen Z lives on their phones—everything from shopping to soul-searching happens there. If your ministry’s online presence isn’t optimized for mobile (fast-loading, thumb-scrollable, app-ready), you’re invisible to them.
But it’s not just tech—it’s culture. Gen Z is post-Christian, skeptical of institutions, and wired for justice. They’re asking, “Why should I care about faith when the world’s a mess?” Your answer needs to fit their language: memes, slang, visuals that pop. Don’t fake it—nothing’s worse than a 50-year-old trying to “yeet” for clout—but lean on younger team members to translate.
Content-wise, tackle their questions head-on. Short videos on identity (“Who am I when I feel lost?”), justice (“Does God care about the marginalized?”), or science (“Can I believe in both?”) can resonate if they’re conversational, not combative. You’ve got decades of apologetics in your toolbox—use it, but keep it snackable.
5. Give Them Purpose: Faith That Does Something
Here’s where Gen Z might surprise you: They’re not just self-absorbed screen zombies. They want purpose—something bigger than themselves. Our generation might’ve been content with a good sermon; they want to know how it changes the world.
Tie your ministry to action. Share how faith fuels impact: “Your prayers helped us serve 50 families this month.” Invite them to join in—digital volunteering (spreading awareness online), prayer campaigns, or micro-donations via apps like Venmo. Highlight causes they care about—mental health, racial reconciliation, climate—and show how the gospel speaks to them. It’s not charity for clout; it’s living out Matthew 25 in a way they can see and touch.
The Bottom Line: Show Up, Stay Nimble
Reaching Gen Z isn’t a one-and-done campaign—it’s a commitment to show up where they are. Consistency matters more than perfection. Post regularly, experiment with formats, and use analytics (most platforms give you free insights) to see what’s clicking. If a video flops, tweak it. If a live stream takes off, double down.
You don’t need to abandon what’s worked for your elder Millennial or Gen X crowd—Sunday services and small groups still have their place. But Gen Z won’t find you there unless you bridge the gap online first. Think of it like Paul in Athens: He met the Greeks on Mars Hill, using their culture to point to Christ. Your Mars Hill is TikTok, Instagram, and beyond.
So, grab your phone, rally your team, and step into their world. You’ve got the wisdom of experience and the unchanging truth of the gospel—now’s the time to wrap it in a package Gen Z can’t swipe past. They’re waiting for something real. Will you be the one to deliver it?
