Ask This Mom: Where do I fit in?
As I was bustling down the hallway on a busy Sunday morning, she strolled by me. The young woman who had been on my mind for the last week was right in front of me. Calling her by name, I asked if she was interested in meeting with me. Without a moment’s hesitation, she agreed to come to my office later in the week.
On Wednesday morning, she sat on the other side of my office, twisting a napkin in her hands. Nervous, but she also seemed excited to update me on her life. She talked about the older generations, people my age, in our congregation who encouraged her regularly. This had made our church her home.
Staring at her lap, she then said, “But I don’t feel our church makes a space for other people my age.”
Together, we investigated some possible solutions to her dilemma. How can we make our church a welcome place for your generation, Gen Z, who wrestles with anxiety and aspirations?
Gen Z is coming of age in a time of uncertainty. They are a highly talented group of young adults who recognize they possess little control over much of what happens in the world.
That must feel frustrating, but our generations can find the balance together.
Part of life’s journey draws us closer to where we belong. The church should be a safe place for us to explore ideas and share feelings. A place where correction draws us closer to God, not stifles our spiritual curiosity. We want to belong to God’s people, but how do we find that place?
Here are some strategies to help young people feel at home in your church:
- See the younger people in your life and your congregation. Like the young woman in my office, build an environment where they feel welcomed, heard, and supported.
- Live the Gospel each day, your actions invite others in. They are watching you.
- Spend time with them and build a relationship of trust. Offer your time as a mentor. They need you to listen more than they need your advise.
To you, who are the older generations, are you making a space for young people?
This quote from Fuller Youth Institute caught my attention:
“I’m tired of the church answering questions I’m not asking.” – anonymous Gen Zer
To answer the right questions, we need to know this generation. Not just understanding statistics, but face-to-face relationships that edify both of us. They want to know you, but they are waiting for you to make the first move. It all starts with a hello, remembering their name, and inviting them in.
One young woman said it this way, “I want a safe place where I can ask the hard questions.”
If we focus on the wrong questions, we risk losing our relevance in the lives of those we’re called to serve. Instead, we must honor the Gospel by creating space for young people to grow deeper in their discipleship of Jesus Christ.
Imagine a ministry led by young people, designed specifically for their peers. With guidance from older mentors, this ministry can become a vibrant community where the beauty of the Gospel is explored and lived out through passionate service to others.
Such a partnership between generations fosters mutual growth. Young leaders gain wisdom and support, while older mentors are renewed by the energy and vision of the next generation. Together, they build a ministry that is both spiritually healthy and socially impactful.
