I recall a day when demographers, sociologists, and church growth leaders spoke of a massive generation who would come of age in a few years. This generation was larger in size than the Baby Boomers and would develop under a postmodern umbrella. The influence of this generation was going to be huge.
This generation came to be known as the Millennials.
We’re still talking about them, and rightly so. I frequently tweet links to articles about the Millennials. They are, and will continue to be, a significant influence inside and outside of the Church.
However, I feel we have become so fixated on the Millennials that we have missed another generation on the scene. We have forgotten that “a generation goes and a generation comes” (Ecc 1:4, ESV). And this most recent generation is larger in size than the Millennials.
Yes, larger.
I would say “Welcome Generation Z,” but I would be too late, much too late. Generation Z (those born after 1995, making up 25% of the U.S. population) is already beginning internships in the U. S. workforce.
Here is a quick summary on Generation Z. And here is another quick summary.
Do not confuse them with the Millennials. Check out this infographic for a comparison.
Get to know them.
Get to know them quickly, very quickly.
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Last week on Strike the Match I addressed the need for apostolic missiology in the West. Subscribe at iTunes or through RSS.
Dr. Payne,
Hey friend! Thanks for posting about GenZ! Loving what you are doing. I’m looking for research/data re: the spirituality/religiosity of GenZ. Know of anything out there?
Great to hear from you! I do not know of anything, yet. I just started looking myself.