Evangelizing GenZ
The gospel doesn’t change, but people do.
Teenagers today need the same gospel as every previous generation, but it’s time to rethink evangelism for GenZ. Fifty years ago, Christians could assume that most Americans had a basic Judeo-Christian worldview. Twenty years ago, that was beginning to shift but it was still generally true. A basic survey of the research about the religious life of GenZ shows them to be the first generation of Americans to grow up in a post-Christian context. Whereas Millennials widely rejected their childhood faith and identified their religious views as “none,” GenZ is growing up without religious faith in the first place. Gone are the days where those who seek to evangelize GenZ can assume a religious background. With this in mind, I’d like to offer the following reflections about bringing the gospel to GenZ.
Begin with Creation
If you consider the “big issues” of our day, many of them have to do with creation and what it means to be human: gender and sexuality, abortion and women’s rights, racism, and evolution.
Whereas previous generations of evangelists could begin a gospel presentation by saying “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life,” today’s evangelists should begin with “In the beginning….”
Preaching the broad gospel before the narrow gospel helps ensure that students have a sufficient framework for understanding it. This is what the Apostle Paul does in Acts 17:22-31, where he addresses a gathering of Gentiles in Athens. As the “apostle to the Gentiles,” Paul’s desire was to proclaim the gospel and draw them into saving relationship with the Lord, and he did this differently than when he preached or wrote to fellow Jews. Today’s generation of teenagers share more in common with Paul’s audience in Athens than in Jerusalem.
This is a more narrative approach that grounds the gospel in a bigger storyline and it sets humanity in relationship with God. After all, the gospel is the story of our Heavenly Father’s pursuit of his prodigal children (see Luke 15:11-32).
Theology Matters: Get the Gospel Right
As a veteran youth pastor, I’ve heard countless evangelists offer students the fruit of the gospel without ever calling them to believe the gospel. These preachers are well-intentioned, and they’re gifted communicators. But they were bad theologians, and the students suffered for it. For example, inviting students to confess their sin isn’t the same thing as leading them into repentance.
Some evangelists treat theology like it’s important for discipleship but not evangelism - they simply want to preach the gospel and leave theology for the “big boys.” These are evangelists who should be avoided. The gospel is theological. Leading students into saving faith is theological ministry. Shallow evangelism might get more hands raised at an evangelistic retreat, but it rarely builds lifelong disciples.
If we do not help students understand who God is and the nature of sin, then the reality of divine wrath will seem extreme and harsh (rather than just and appropriate). This requires theological depth, but it doesn’t require a theological treatise. Simplicity is best, especially in evangelism. This is one reason why Youth Pastor Theologian exists, to help youth workers minister with theological depth and simplicity.
Beware of Christian Universalism
One of the great threats facing youth ministry today is Christian Universalism. This is a heresy that sounds like a faithful proclamation of the gospel, but it applies the work of Christ towards all people, regardless of whether or not they have professed faith in Jesus. GenZ is so deeply committed to tolerance and diversity, many teenagers hear the gospel of grace proclaimed and they reinterpret it into their “you do you” worldview.
“Jesus is the only savior.” This is a statement that seems like a good and reliable guardrail for discerning saving faith. But asking students whether or not they believe “Jesus is the only savior and will save everyone, whether they believe in him or not” and “Jesus is the only savior and personal faith in him is necessary for salvation” will be much more helpful. In my personal experience and through corroboration with fellow youth workers, an increasing number of students are agreeing with Christian Universalism because it allows them to consider themselves Christians while affirming the tolerance that is at the foundation of their generation’s worldview.
Proclaim the gospel with joyful freedom. Cast the seed of the gospel wherever you can (Matthew 13:1-9). But remember to be theologically clear in order to prevent serious misunderstandings.
Anchor them to the Gospel
The gospel is not merely an evangelistic tool. It is a message for nonChristians to hear the grace of God that can be theirs through faith in Jesus Christ. It’s also a message for Christians, because we never outgrow our need for God’s grace. This is why it’s so important to become fluent in the broad and the narrow sense of the gospel.
As we seek the Lord’s favor in calling GenZ to Christ, let’s commit ourselves to anchor them in the gospel. When the gospel is more than an evangelistic tract or a four-step plan of salvation, then we’ll discover it’s actually the invitation into a bigger story that climaxes in glory. And that’s something that can capture GenZ’s heart and lead them to Jesus.
