I started preaching when I was 14 years old, pastoring at 18, and church planting at 24. While I don’t think I have done any of those right yet, at least I have a little experience and understanding of what “doing them right” looks like. Raised in church in Arkansas, I spent my teen years at church in the Midwest, attended Bible college in Nashville, and have planted two churches near Pittsburgh. My point? I have seen the American church from almost every angle.
Many times, in my church experience, churches reach a crossroads where culture intersects tradition. In the past, I have sometimes chosen a “side,” fought loudly for “my team,” and then watched the other team break away to start their own church. I am not referring to issues where the Bible speaks clearly. Quite frankly, those are easy to deal with. I am describing those difficult generational transitions when old traditions and preferences get pushed out and replaced with new ones. Often, during those (admittedly difficult) transitions, people leave the church.
Right now, however, an entire generation is leaving the church. What can we do about it?
I do better when I can see what I am learning, not just hear it. This has informed how and what I teach each week. For instance, in Ezekiel 34, we find the parable of the scattered sheep. Although this parable is not directly about church disagreements, it informs my understanding of this issue. I see the connection between Ezekiel’s sheep and our congregations. Like sheep, if people are not getting what they need from the shepherds assigned to care for them, they will scatter and leave the flock.
This is especially true of Gen Z. Statistics show, like the biblical sheep, this generation has grown increasingly discontented and disconnected from the church, scattering to seek truth elsewhere. Truthfully, I have learned more from Ezekiel’s sheep analogy than from a three-year dissertation study. Ezekiel went beyond the problem and provided a solution.
As pastors, teachers, and church leaders, we need to rethink who we are trying to reach and how we are trying to reach them. We may be tempted to conclude Gen Z is just “missing it” and needs to get with the program. Or we can ask, “How can I change to reach those who need to be reached?”
Give Gen Z a new perspective.
What do people see when you teach? Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, told stories to illustrate important points, and used meals as object lessons. The Old Testament Tabernacle (and later the Temple) was an unforgettable spectacle because the stories of God’s faithfulness came to life through artistic imagery, gardens, furniture, and decorations all pointing to God’s might and sovereignty. I’m sure those who worshiped in those places saw, smelled, and heard things they never forgot. Even today, if you talk to individuals from a tradition where incense was burned in their church, they will tell you the moment they smell it they still think of
that church.
How can we help Gen Z “see” and not just hear Jesus? If you don’t know how to aim a camera, edit a video, or (at the least) clean the camera lens on your phone before you take that blurry selfie, please be encouraged by my words. Not all “seeing” is visual. But ask yourself, what do people see when you teach or preach?
Maybe any talk about technology makes you instantly anxious. How can you learn what you need to know about reaching this tech-savvy generation? Growing up as an artist and visual person, I felt left out at church. I never found a place for my perspective. Therefore, I never used that part of me to serve the church, thinking it wasn’t needed. But every gift is important to God.
In Exodus 31, during the construction of the Tabernacle, the creative gifts of artisans were celebrated, and these craftsmen were described as “filled...with the Spirit of God (Exodus 31:3).” Fast-forward to Ephesians 4:11-13, where the roles of the pastor and church leaders were described as equipping the saints for the work of ministry.
How can we engage Gen Z? Show them—even those with unusual gifts and talents—they are a part of the Body of Christ, with beautiful gifts to reach others. Put them to work! Jesus didn’t just tell His followers “Know this” or “Understand this.” He also said, “Do this with me.”
I have attended many church growth conferences that taught me how to “do things better” on Sunday mornings. But at this stage in life, after decades of complaining people treat the church like a show rather than the team to which they belong, I think we must learn from Jesus’ example. In the Gospels, we see Jesus not only preached and taught with excellence, He also engaged people. Meeting them where they were, addressing their felt needs, and putting them to work for the Kingdom using their unique gifts and talents.
What’s the conclusion? It’s time to reconnect with the disconnected, scattered sheep-people who have left the church. Like Jesus, meet them at the point of their need, give them a place to belong in the sheepfold, and invite them to join you in the work of the Kingdom.
Why is it so important to find new ways to reach Gen Z? First, because this generation needs Jesus. But we must also remember the terrifying conclusion to the parable of the scattered sheep in Ezekiel 34. God offered a chilling ultimatum (in my own words): “Fine! If you won’t be the shepherds you are supposed to be, I will do it myself” (Ezekiel 34:11-16).
Then Jesus came.
About the Columnist: Nate Altom is the lead pastor of Keystone FWB Church in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Nate was part of the church planting team that started Keystone Church. He and his wife Jenna have two children. Learn more: fwbnam.com.
