How to Get Gen Z to Church

Two-thirds of young adults between the ages of 18 and 22 leave the Church for at least a year, and many never return. Church dropout percentages increase as members of Gen Z reach their 20s and enter the world of college and careers, with only a third attending church regularly.

The stats are stunning and pretty clear. My generation, Gen Z, is leaving the church. Our culture lures us with the lie of self-sufficiency. It tells us that we can live our lives alone. It feeds the myth that satisfaction is to be found outside of God and his people.

As Gen Z gradually leaves the Church and apathy creeps in, we are compelled to ask some crucial questions. Do we need more appealing services, a modernized building, or new programs? Does the church need to compromise on core teachings to attract younger generations? Should churches be more tolerant and accepting?

My generation, Gen Z, is leaving the church.

No, at the root of the church dropout rate is an unbiblical view of the church and of God’s people. Instead, Gen Z needs a proper understanding of the church, its purpose, and our desperate need for the body of Christ.

what is the church

When we think of the church, a stereotypical image of a church with a steeple and a large cross sticking out of the roof most likely arises. Perhaps we think of smartly dressed people sitting in pews and singing with an organ and a church choir. Or maybe we’re thinking about the more modern view of the church, singing songs we’ve heard on the radio and wearing trendy jeans.

But these views do not get to the heart of what a church is. Look to your fellow believers. Think of your brothers and sisters around the world and throughout history. No, the Church is not defined by a building or a style of dress. The Church consists of those whose lives have been transformed by Jesus Christ and who are united to Him as His Bride.

As a family of believers, the church is “a pillar and pillar of truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). Pillars and buttresses are used to maintain and reinforce the weight of buildings to keep them from falling to pieces. Similarly, the church holds and strengthens the truth of God’s Word, which stands firm in every generation and is built on Christ Jesus as the cornerstone (Eph. 2:20).

Why Gen Z needs the Church

“You do you,” “find your truth,” and “follow your heart” are the mantras that shaped the individualistic culture that Gen Z grew up in. Scoffing at authority and the law is not only common, it is expected and celebrated. We don’t want accountability or others telling us what to do in a world that feeds us the lie that we can be who we want and do what we want.

But Gen Z desperately needs the Church. Hebrews 10:24–25 tells us, “Let us consider how we can stir one another up to love and good works, not neglecting to meet as some do, but encouraging one another, and so on more, as ye see the day drawing near.” We are commanded to meet, to encourage, and to build one another up in our walk with Christ on the way to eternity.

in the The Conscious ChurchMark Dever, and Paul Alexander write, “While our individual paths are critical, we become impoverished in our personal pursuit of God if we do not avail ourselves of the help available through mutually edifying relationships in our covenant church family.” We deceive ourselves, believing that we can be independent in our Christian walk.

Throughout the Bible there are many “one another” commandments: “[address] one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Eph. 5:19), “confess your sins to one another and pray for one another” (James 5:16), “love one another” (Rom. 12:10), and “in harmony with one another live” (Rom. 12:16), among many others. How are we supposed to obey these commandments if we don’t have fellowship with other believers in the local church?

What will attract Gen Z to church?

With good intentions, many church leaders go to great lengths to get Gen Z in the door. But Gen Z will only stay in the church when our desires exceed those of this world. Trying to attract us by making services cool, programs exciting, and plenty of social opportunities can miscommunicate the purpose of the church. The purpose is not to attract those who are so drawn to the world that they want their local church to reflect it, but to invite those who want to be different to be transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

It’s helpful to think about how to engage Gen Z, but ultimately the Church will only appeal to Gen Z when we embrace the things that God embraces. We will love the local church when we love what God loves and value what He values.

Gen Z will only stay in the church when our desires exceed those of this world.

So what is keeping me from returning to the Church? I go out of joyful obedience to God, but also with an attitude of humble service. Church membership isn’t just about listening to a sermon and walking away as a stranger. Rather, we are privileged to be members of one family. We participate in church fellowship by using our God-given gifts to build up the church of believers (Romans 12:3-8). Dever and Alexander further say, “Cultivating the priority of the local assembly in the lives of individual members will help curb our selfish individualism and create an atmosphere of humble servanthood.”

It’s tempting to think of church as just another chore or a place to avoid. But what would happen if Gen Z started going to church and asking how we can encourage our fellow brothers and sisters? What if we started sharing our sins with other believers, praying together, and holding each other accountable? What if we used our God-given gifts to serve our church for the glory of God?

Show humility. Show a desire to worship God. Show up eager to serve. Offer your gifts to be poured out for the sake of the gospel.

You need the church, Gen Z. And the church needs you.