The Burge Report: Gen Z and the Church: Lonely, Cautious, Skeptical, But… Open

Institutional trust has collapsed nationwide across all age groups, but Gen Z is entering adulthood at historically low levels of trust toward institutions and toward other people. Yet there is a surprising glimmer of hope when it comes to religious institutions. Compared to Millennials, Gen Z shows slightly more openness to trusting the church, suggesting the story is not over. On this edition of The Burge Report, we discuss what pastors and churches can do to build bridges with Gen Z.

1. 1. Gen Z is the loneliest, most cautious, and least trusting generation in American history.
   2. Institutional trust has collapsed across society, and Gen Z is inheriting the steepest baseline of distrust yet.
   3. Despite cultural distrust, Gen Z shows slightly more openness to trusting organized religion than Millennials.
   4. Churches can rebuild credibility through transparency, accessibility, and humility.

Resources:

• Upward Sports

• HelpFinder Bible

• Inspire Bible for Kids

• Tyndale House Publishers

• “When Are Half Your Members Going to be Dead?” by Ryan Burge

• “The Myth of a Gen Z Revival: What the Data Actually Says About Faith Among Young Adults” by Ryan Burge

• Ryan Burge

• “The Vanishing Church: How the Hollowing Out of Moderate Congregations Is Hurting Democracy, Faith, and Us” by Ryan Burge (affiliate link)

• Church Answers Platinum Membership

• FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

• The Hope Initiative

Episode Sponsors:

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