Are We On the Brink of Revival? | Beyond the Youth Room Podcast • Ep 69
Is Gen Z on the Brink of Revival?
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Welcome to Beyond the Youth Room! Ryne and Keith dive into a fascinating question: Is America on the verge of a spiritual revival among Gen Z? They explore compelling evidence, including their own ministry experiences and national trends, to unpack this complex issue.
Ryne shares some striking personal observations: "Years ago, we shared the gospel 355 times. Last year, we shared it 584 times. This year, halfway through, we've shared it 1,113 times! I've seen 23 kids trust Christ in the past twelve months through our youth ministry." However, he points out a crucial nuance: "Kids are very quick to make Christ their savior, but not to give their schedule to it." This highlights a challenge: while many young people are open to faith, consistent engagement with the church is a different story.
The discussion acknowledges a nationwide trend. As of 2020, only 22% of Gen Z attended church weekly. That number has now dropped to 16%. Ironically, Bible sales are up 22% this year, according to the Wall Street Journal, presenting a seemingly paradoxical situation.
Ryne and Keith connect with other youth pastors and directors across the country, hearing remarkable stories. Shane Pruitt, a frequent speaker at youth events, reports seeing more students come to Christ in the past four years than in his previous twenty combined. Greg Stier from Dare to Share echoes these sentiments, sharing similar experiences from both the US and globally. Barna's Gen Z report also indicates that 60% of Gen Z feel more open to God after the pandemic.
So, what does it all mean? Are we witnessing a genuine revival, or just a series of isolated events? The hosts acknowledge the term "revival" is often used loosely, sometimes equating it with emotionalism or extended worship services. They aim to define revival more concretely, drawing from the book of Acts. Acts 4:31 describes a powerful scene: "After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly."
Greg Steir highlights a three-part pattern: upward concentration on Christ, inward concentration of the heart, and outward activation with the Gospel. He also distinguishes between renewal, a personal pursuit of God within Christian circles, and revival, which is marked by evangelism following intimate encounters with God. This outward focus, the bold proclamation of the Gospel, becomes a key differentiator.
The conversation then shifts to exploring these three elements of revival, beginning with "upward concentration on Christ." While encouraging reports from evangelists suggest a growing openness to faith, Gen Z's church engagement continues to decline. This disconnect between spiritual interest and church involvement presents a significant puzzle.
Ryne shares his experience of seeing many young people trust Christ, but not necessarily become actively involved in the church community. Keith wonders if this reluctance stems from a distrust of institutionalized religion. He also notes a trend of people attending church online, which, while offering some connection, lacks the vital element of in-person fellowship and engagement.
Ryne suggests that many Gen Z individuals identify as "spiritual but not religious," embracing personal faith while rejecting organized religion. He also challenges the church to consider whether it's effectively reaching this generation, suggesting the need for adapting methods and programs to better connect with young people.
The episode concludes with Ryne sharing the remarkable growth of his youth ministry. Attendance has increased significantly, and the number of students trusting Christ has more than doubled in the past year. However, even within this success story, a challenge remains: consistent engagement with the church is still sporadic. This raises the question: can revival occur within a single church or ministry, or does it require a broader, more widespread movement? The hosts promise to delve deeper into this question and the remaining elements of revival in the next part of their discussion.
