Stats are not everything but they are something. We should look at statistics with wisdom and discernment without over-relying upon them nor over-dismissing them. It is wrong to read this and go into a “hyper-worry” state of mind and it is also wrong to say, “Well, this is only true for those not in our church or not in our city.” Take these as they are and use them to look to our need for more of Jesus. The following stats are taken from recent works by Jean Twenge, James Emery White, and other recent surveys.
“There are more than four former Christians for every convert to Christianity.”
“The pattern is indisputable: The younger the generation, the more post-Christian it is.”
At 25.9%, Gen Z is the most populous generation. “By 2020, Gen Z will account for 40% of all consumers. They will not simply influence American culture; they will constitute the culture.”
The average teenager in Gen Z averages 9 hrs/day absorbing media.
91% go to bed with the device that opens the whole world up to them.
Only 41% of Gen Z attend weekly religious services.
70% struggle with anxiety and depression (highest by 15%).
This generation is also known as Gen “Me”; FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) Gen; iGen (compare to iPhone and iPad).
There is a considerable portion who are more afraid to live than to die.
Sexual fluidity is a standard for high morality.
Massive sleep deprivation is prevalent in many of Gen Z.
From an experiential standpoint of speaking with our youth, these seem very accurate and even too low at some points. The greatest need of this generation is for parents, pastors, mentors, coaches, teachers, leaders, and youth directors to overflow with a deep love for Jesus onto this generation so that they might love Him and follow Him. Without Jesus, there is no hope for change which means that if we seek to “fix” this generation with anything or anyone other than Jesus then we will only lead them astray even further.