With every generation comes new challenges and opportunities to reach students with the hope and love of Christ.
Student ministry has been around a long time. I'm not sure if there was a first official student ministry meeting was but there are some records of ministry to students happening in the mid-19th century. People and Churches have been trying to reach students for Christ for a very long time. And when Churches had a hard time doing it, they commissioned young ministers to reach teens. Jim Rayburn, the founder of Young Life, was commissioned by his Church to go reach students where they were. And that is how Young Life started in 1941.
Every generation is different, From Boomers to Gen Xers to Millennials to Gen Zers, each generation is characterized by something different. Student ministry leaders to the Boomers would reach football captains and cheerleaders to win respect. Student ministers to Gen Xers would go to the malls and sporting events to meet students. And, student ministers to Millennials would strive to reach different students in the variety of different social groups.
But what about now? What can Churches and student ministers do today to reach Gen Z? Not only are they different from past generations, but the world is so different. We live in a phygital world (part digital, part in person). So, what is the trick? Here are 3 things student ministers can do today to reach Gen Z for Christ.
Show up Online. Gen Z is the first generation to have digital tools at the palm of their hands from the time they were born. They are the generation is growing up online. They spend countless hours a day online talking to friends, playing games, watching tv shows and movies and much more. Because this is where they are, student ministers should be in this space as well. Ministers don't need to be on ALL social media and gaming platforms, but they should be on the ones that their students are on.
Show up in Person. As great as digital tools are, students need in person connection too. They need to look at others face to face and learn how to interact in real life. Student ministers need to show up. Once upon a time, before smartphones and the world wide web came out, all students ministers had was to do in person ministry. And, it was effective. So show up at the sporting event, at the band concert, at graduation parties and other meaningful events in students lives.
Show up Consistently. Consistency matters. Whether it is online, in person or both, showing up consistently matters. Gen Z has had lots of inconsistency in life. They have friends come and go, families that split up and interests change regularly. Their lives can be filled with inconsistencies. That is why one of the biggest impacts a student minister can do is to consistently show up. Consistently show up when you get a text. Consistently show up they have a big performance. Consistently show up to let students know you care and that Christ cares.
While Gen Z may be the most digital generation ever, there are a lot of similarities to ministering to them as a student minister. At the heart of the matter is to show up. The more a student minister can show up online, in person and consistently, the more likely students are going to experience the love of Christ.
What do you think? How else can student ministers reach Gen Z in a phygital world? Share your ideas below or on social media.
Also, if you are interested in being a Digital Missionary or want to learn digital tools to expand your reach in ministry this year, join the Digital Bootcamp Facebook Group!
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