Editor's note: Does the church really understand the characteristics and needs of Generation Z? According to the Pew Research Center, the period of 15 years is one generation. The millennial generation has now become middle-aged, while Generation Z has become the main force of the younger generation. By understanding Gen Z, the church can better reach and serve them by establishing a relationship of love and trust with them.
Wang Yongchun (assumed name), a pastor from East China, has many opportunities to get in touch with Generation Z on weekdays. Pastor Wang accepted an interview with the Christian Times, an online Chinese Christian newspaper.
Christian Times: Many pastors are helpless about shepherding generation Z. Why do you think this has occurred?
Pastor Wang Yongchun: Nowadays, many youth fellowships are shrinking. In my opinion, one of the reasons is that pastors are generally older, and it is difficult to shepherd generation Z. It is difficult to attract young people to the church the traditional way, so usually the children of pastors and preachers are now in the church. When they go to college, but can't find youth fellowship in the local area, they easily lose their faith.
Christian Times: What do you think of the characteristics of Generation Z?
Pastor Wang Yongchun: The Millennials have family, but most generation Z youngsters don't even talk about love, marriage, or having children. They are just running in place. In fact, many pastors want to teach them something, which they may have heard since childhood in the church. Today, many older pastors rarely know much about Bilibili and Xiaohongshu, so it is difficult to share the same topic with generation Z. Young people generally grow up with the internet and secular culture. Therefore, many pastors are in a helpless state when facing them.
Christian Times: What do you think is the difficulty in establishing a relationship with them? How did you do it?
Pastor Wang Yongchun: Under the influence of post-modernism, Generation Z cares more about themselves. In the past, we got a good response when having a sharing meeting for the Millennial generation. However, traditional sharing meetings have no influence on generation Z. What they need is an individual focus, and you may have to spend much more time building relationships with them.
In my fellowship, there is a sister who has been in the faith for six years. After the trust relationship was built, she would talk about her emotions, sorrows, and struggles in the fellowship. She is very personable and sensitive. But when the shepherd spent time and showed love, she would accept it and could talk a lot. Then we could better help her grow spiritually.
Some love thinking, while others follow the crowd. You should build a personal relationship with them through this activity, and then discuss some spiritual issues and lead them to become a thinker.
All in all, pastors should spend more energy, love and humility in building relationships with this generation than the millennials. However, most churches do not see the serious consequences of losing generation Z, as they are the future of the church.
Christian Times: What do you think of the deconstruction of the traditional concept of authority by generation Z?
Pastor Wang Yongchun: In the past, there was the authority in many churches to shape the fellowship. However, this is out of place with generation Z culture. Now, Generation Z is more lively and more willing to express themselves, rather than obey authority. When using authority, pastors need to know that authority originates in the Bible. In the teaching of God's words, pastors should combine the Bible with their situations, tell their demands and needs, and help them realize the situation they are facing today.
If these young people have good training in Bible study, they will carefully apply God's words in their current situation and solve many of their doubts.
Christian Times: What do you think of the friend-style shepherd or paternalistic shepherd? Which one is better? Which is more suitable for Generation Z?
Pastor Wang Yongchun: I think this has something to do with the shepherd's age. For example, I am in my fifties, so I will naturally become the parent of the Generation Z fellowship. I think both paternalistic and friend-style shepherds are needed. Sticking to the principle of belief requires advice and persuasion from paternalistic shepherds. But the relationship-building needs a friend-style shepherd to play with them. Traditionally paternalistic shepherds impose thoughts, demands and expectations on the believers, but the believers cannot accept them. I would share my faith and life with them through communication.
Christian Times: Now Generation Z is almost invisible in the church. How can the church reach them?
Pastor Wang Yongchun: At present, there are few Generation Z in the church, let alone choosing pastors from them. Today pastors need to lead their existing co-workers to pray together to find a way to get in touch with Generation Z's ministry. Whether it's through relationships or online knowledge sharing, it's always necessary to attract young people. Serving young people requires learning, so the church needs to prepare for it by introducing talent, cultivating talents, and waiting for their growth with tolerance.
- Translated by Oliver Zuo
教会真的了解95后、00后这一代人群的特点和需要吗？根据美国皮尤研究中心际代划分标准：他们将15年划分为一代。被称作千禧一代的80后如今已经步入到了人生的中年阶段，而被称作Z世代的95后已然成为了年轻一代的主力军。教会若能深入了解95后、00后的特点和需求，便可以在当下更好地触及到他们并与他们建立爱与信任的关系，从而教会更好地事奉到他们。
来自华东的一位王永淳牧者（化名），他平日有很多机会接触到95后00后。在事奉95后00后的事上，王永淳牧者接受了一家中国网络基督教报纸的采访
基督时报：许多牧者对牧养95后00后的事情上表现出茫然和无助，您觉得为什么会出现这样的局面？
pastor wang：现在很多青年人的团契都在萎缩。我认为，其中一个原因是，牧者年龄普遍是偏大的，很难牧养现在的95后。传统教会的牧养方式很难吸引年轻人进入到教会，通常都是牧者和传道人的孩子在教会。而这些牧者的孩子们上到了大学以后，如果在当地不能找到青年团契，就很容易在信仰上流失。
基督时报：您怎么看95后00后的这一代的人特点呢？
Pastor wang：对于80后90后而言，他们还有婚姻家庭。而现在的大部分的95后、00后的人，他们连谈恋爱也不谈了，结婚也不结了，孩子也不要了，这样一种躺平的精神状态。其实很多牧者想教导一些教义给他们，事实上他们可能还是会觉得从小在教会里就听过的。现在教会很多年长的牧者也很少看B站、小红书，因此，想跟95后、00后拥有共同的话题是很难的。今天的年轻人，他们普遍是在一种网络文化，世俗文化当中成长起来的。因此，很多牧者面对他们是一种无从下手的状态。
基督时报：您觉得牧养95后00后，与他们建立关系难在哪里？您怎么跟他们建立关系的？
Pastor wang：95后00后的人在后现代主义的影响下，他们非常关心自我。在这个意义上说，以往我们给90后年轻人做一个分享会，他们就会很好的回应。而面对95后、00后，像我们过去这种传统的分享会对他们已经没有影响力了，他们需要的是个体性的，可能你要跟花很多的时间与他建立关系。
在我的团契里有一个信仰6年的姐妹，与她建信任关系后，她就会把喜怒哀乐和挣扎在团契里面讲。她本身非常有个性，又敏感。但当牧者付出时间和爱心，她接受了之后，就会可以聊很多，然后可以更好的帮助她在灵性上的成长。
有些人特别爱思考，有的人就随大流、你要靠这种活动跟他们建立起个人之间的关系，然后探讨一些属灵的问题，带领他们去做一些思考。
总而言之，牧者在与这一代人建立关系，是要比80后90后要付出更多的精力、爱心和谦卑的心。而大部分教会并未看到失去这部分人群的严重后果 ，这部分人是教会的未来。
基督时报：您如何看现在的95后年轻人对传统权威观念的解构现象？
Pastor wang：过去不少的传统教会里存在一种权威，其目的是想要跟着人的意思去塑造一个自己期待的东西。但这个方式和方法与现在的95后年轻人的文化是格格不入的。 现在95后00后的文化形态是更加活泼，更加生动，更加愿意表达自我，而不是顺服你的权威。使用权威或者权柄的时候，牧者需要知道自己的权柄是做圣经出口的权柄。在神的话语的教导里面，牧者要把圣经和他们的处境结合起来讲出他们的诉求和需要，帮助他们认识到今天所面临的处境。
如果针对这些年轻人，他们有一个很好的查经的训练，他们会针对他们自己当下的一些处境也很好的去应用神的话语，很多疑惑都是可以解开的。
基督时报：你怎么看朋友式的牧者和家长式的，您觉得这两者哪个更好？对于95后00后来讲，您觉得哪个更合适？
Pastor wang：我想这个本身跟牧者他自身的年龄是有关系的。比如像我50多岁，自然而然就变成团契里95后00后这群人的家长，我觉得家长式和朋友式的都需要。在信仰原则方面的坚守，需要家长的一些建议和劝导。但作为关系的建立方面，需要朋友式的方式与他们建立关系，可以跟他们玩在一起。传统的家长式是强加给对方你的想法、要求和期待，孩子不能质疑家长的。但他们真正需要的家长式是牧者带着为父的心肠去爱和引导，我是会用沟通的方式与他们分享信仰和生活。
基督时报：现在教会里95后的人群几乎看不到了，那教会今后如何触及到95后00后，从而能够后继有人呢？
Pastor wang：目前教会年轻人的蓄水池是干涸的，想从中挑选更好的，更优秀的牧者或者说接棒人可以说是一个空谈的地步。牧者这个时候需要更多地带领现有的同工一同祷告寻找出路，寻找接触这一代的人事奉的路径。通过关系也好，网络上的知识分享也好，总是要吸引年轻人过来。做青年人的事奉是需要学习的，因此教会需要为此做预备，引进人才，培养人才，并且有包容度的等待人才的成长。
话题·中国教会如何牧养95后00后(二)|牧者要花更多精力与这一代人建立关系
Editor's note: Does the church really understand the characteristics and needs of Generation Z? According to the Pew Research Center, the period of 15 years is one generation. The millennial generation has now become middle-aged, while Generation Z has become the main force of the younger generation. By understanding Gen Z, the church can better reach and serve them by establishing a relationship of love and trust with them.
Wang Yongchun (assumed name), a pastor from East China, has many opportunities to get in touch with Generation Z on weekdays. Pastor Wang accepted an interview with the Christian Times, an online Chinese Christian newspaper.
Christian Times: Many pastors are helpless about shepherding generation Z. Why do you think this has occurred?
Pastor Wang Yongchun: Nowadays, many youth fellowships are shrinking. In my opinion, one of the reasons is that pastors are generally older, and it is difficult to shepherd generation Z. It is difficult to attract young people to the church the traditional way, so usually the children of pastors and preachers are now in the church. When they go to college, but can't find youth fellowship in the local area, they easily lose their faith.
Christian Times: What do you think of the characteristics of Generation Z?
Pastor Wang Yongchun: The Millennials have family, but most generation Z youngsters don't even talk about love, marriage, or having children. They are just running in place. In fact, many pastors want to teach them something, which they may have heard since childhood in the church. Today, many older pastors rarely know much about Bilibili and Xiaohongshu, so it is difficult to share the same topic with generation Z. Young people generally grow up with the internet and secular culture. Therefore, many pastors are in a helpless state when facing them.
Christian Times: What do you think is the difficulty in establishing a relationship with them? How did you do it?
Pastor Wang Yongchun: Under the influence of post-modernism, Generation Z cares more about themselves. In the past, we got a good response when having a sharing meeting for the Millennial generation. However, traditional sharing meetings have no influence on generation Z. What they need is an individual focus, and you may have to spend much more time building relationships with them.
In my fellowship, there is a sister who has been in the faith for six years. After the trust relationship was built, she would talk about her emotions, sorrows, and struggles in the fellowship. She is very personable and sensitive. But when the shepherd spent time and showed love, she would accept it and could talk a lot. Then we could better help her grow spiritually.
Some love thinking, while others follow the crowd. You should build a personal relationship with them through this activity, and then discuss some spiritual issues and lead them to become a thinker.
All in all, pastors should spend more energy, love and humility in building relationships with this generation than the millennials. However, most churches do not see the serious consequences of losing generation Z, as they are the future of the church.
Christian Times: What do you think of the deconstruction of the traditional concept of authority by generation Z?
Pastor Wang Yongchun: In the past, there was the authority in many churches to shape the fellowship. However, this is out of place with generation Z culture. Now, Generation Z is more lively and more willing to express themselves, rather than obey authority. When using authority, pastors need to know that authority originates in the Bible. In the teaching of God's words, pastors should combine the Bible with their situations, tell their demands and needs, and help them realize the situation they are facing today.
If these young people have good training in Bible study, they will carefully apply God's words in their current situation and solve many of their doubts.
Christian Times: What do you think of the friend-style shepherd or paternalistic shepherd? Which one is better? Which is more suitable for Generation Z?
Pastor Wang Yongchun: I think this has something to do with the shepherd's age. For example, I am in my fifties, so I will naturally become the parent of the Generation Z fellowship. I think both paternalistic and friend-style shepherds are needed. Sticking to the principle of belief requires advice and persuasion from paternalistic shepherds. But the relationship-building needs a friend-style shepherd to play with them. Traditionally paternalistic shepherds impose thoughts, demands and expectations on the believers, but the believers cannot accept them. I would share my faith and life with them through communication.
Christian Times: Now Generation Z is almost invisible in the church. How can the church reach them?
Pastor Wang Yongchun: At present, there are few Generation Z in the church, let alone choosing pastors from them. Today pastors need to lead their existing co-workers to pray together to find a way to get in touch with Generation Z's ministry. Whether it's through relationships or online knowledge sharing, it's always necessary to attract young people. Serving young people requires learning, so the church needs to prepare for it by introducing talent, cultivating talents, and waiting for their growth with tolerance.
- Translated by Oliver Zuo
Gen Z Series: Pastors Should Spend More Energy to Build Relationships With Gen Z
