The future of the church depends on how we: 1. Reach; 2. Disciple; and 3. Send the next generation.
Across the country, pastors are watching attendance dip, leadership pipelines dry up, and younger generations disengage. But what if the answer isn’t more programming or better preaching? What if the key is developing Gen Z into bold, Spirit-led leaders who aren’t just attending church but leading it into the future?
In a 1975 interview, a reporter asked Ronald Reagan why he would be willing to trade in the beauty of his California ranch to run for public office. His response was simple but powerful. Reagan looked the reporter in the eyes and said, “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” 1
Dave Ferguson (Co-Founder and President of Exponential) will often call leaders to “Dream Big,” to take those dreams and write them on a napkin, and then multiply them by 100.
What is your God-sized dream?
You may be dreaming about a church planting movement in your city or around the world. Maybe the dream is to see 300 baptisms this year, or maybe it is to see the first missionary sent from your church to an unreached, unengaged people group.
But the simple fact is this: For your God-given dreams to become reality, you need to move people into action. You need to find the people chowing down the $10 hotdogs, sitting in the bleachers, watching the game, and develop them into contributing players on the field.
Follow the example laid out in Ronald Reagan’s quote and be the type of leader who is able to empower others to do great things. As a leader, you can remove the ceiling of what is possible for those following you.
Invite people to join you as you chase that dream together. The leader who grows capacity within the people is also the leader most likely to see those dreams, scribbled on that “dream napkin,” actually become a reality.
I am convinced that the best place to start is in the development and discipleship of next-generation leaders. I also believe that the most critical question church, mission, and organizational leaders must answer is: “How do we effectively 1. Reach; 2. Disciple; and 3. Send Next-Generation Leaders?” The church or organization that is able to do this will also be the church that experiences growth, stability, and ultimately the one to experience larger impact in their context.
I set out to discover ministries around the country experiencing heightened success in these three areas. The goal was to uncover key elements found in fast-growing next-generation ministries. Each of these six is reproducible but will require adaptation within your context for maximum impact.
A few things to keep in mind as you step into the process of intentionally developing next generation leaders.
- You will need to have patience in the process. Developing leaders takes time.
- They will need both real encouragement and correction.
- You will need to care more about them as a person than about what they can offer you.
Who are the Leaders of Tomorrow?
Generation Z has been defined as anyone born between 1997 and 2011. A clearer way to say this is that anyone between the ages of 13 and 27 is part of the Gen Z cohort. This means that the youngest of Gen Z would be in either 7th or 8th grade. This also means that over the last several years, Gen Z has started flowing into the global workforce.
A recent study conducted by Intelligent.com reports that after surveying 966 business leaders, 60% of the companies surveyed reported that they had already fired a recent college graduate they had hired within the year. 2
Leaders worldwide, in both the church and business, are frustrated and racing to unlock the potential of this emerging generation. They are desperately trying to capture the hearts and minds of next-generation leaders. Driven by a different motive, Fortune 500 companies are investing millions of dollars to try and answer many of the same questions the church is trying to answer.
In my article Innovations in Engaging the Next Generation Towards Discipleship and Mission, I unpack some of the emerging adaptations within businesses that are finding increased traction with Gen Z. Many of these adaptations could be applied within church and mission contexts.
If we are going to unlock this emerging generation’s God-given potential for Kingdom impact, we need to know a few things about them.
Here are a few things you should know about Gen Z…
- They are the first generation to be raised entirely in the internet age.
- They average 4.8 hours per day on social media alone. 3 Meaning that the average teenager spends 33.6 hours per week, 134.4 hours per month, and 1612.8 hours per year on social media. At that rate, in just 5.5 years, the average teen would have spent an entire year on social media. 4
- Post-pandemic, 79% of young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 report they “sometimes or always feel alone.” 5
- 83.1% care to work for a company or an organization that intentionally makes a positive impact in the world. 6
- 83% of Gen Zers said having a workplace mentor is crucial for their career development. 7
- 75% percent of pastors said they at least somewhat agree that “It is becoming harder to find mature young Christians who want to become pastors.” 8
- 71% indicated they are somewhat concerned about “the quality of future young leaders”. 8
- 79% at least somewhat agree that “Churches are not rising up to their responsibility to train up the next generation of Christian leaders.” 8
These stats sound daunting – but here’s the good news: God has designed this generation for impact. Their longing for purpose? It’s a longing only the gospel can fulfill. Their hunger for mentorship? It’s a chance for us to invest deeply. Their desire to change the world? It’s a spark waiting to ignite the next great movement of the church.
This is our moment to lean in.
6 Proven Elements Driving Fast-Growing Next Gen Ministry
1. Digital Dialogue
Ministry must start where young people already are – online. But digital dialogue isn’t just about posting content; it’s about creating interactive spaces for real conversation. Gen Z is bombarded with advertising and is skeptical of one-way communication. They want spaces where they can ask questions, express doubts, and engage faith dynamically.
This means leveraging platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Discord – not just for content distribution but for real engagement. The most effective ministries treat digital spaces as mission fields, using live Q&As, interactive posts, and direct messaging to foster authentic relationships.
The goal isn’t to replace in-person community but to open doors for deeper discipleship opportunities.
Example: Love Thy Nerd (https://lovethynerd.com/)
Love Thy Nerd leverages digital platforms to engage gamers and fandom communities with the love of Christ. Through interactive online communities, YouTube content, and convention engagement, they create real conversations about faith and culture where Gen Z is already gathering. Discord is one of their primary tools where they create digital communities. This allows them to break the perception that many have of who Christians are. They intentionally invest by leading spiritual conversations in the realm of Nerd Culture and find creative ways to communicate gospel realities in that space.
2. Space for Friendship
Gen Z is starving for authentic relationships. Digital spaces may be the first point of contact, but they’re longing for real, in-person friendships. When I sit down with young leaders, I hear the same thing over and over – they feel isolated.
Fast-growing ministries create spaces where relationships naturally form – through small groups, retreats, shared mission opportunities, and authentic community environments. Young leaders won’t engage in surface-level friendships for long. They need places where they can be fully known, heard, and valued.
Example: Kamp Love (https://www.kamplove.org/)
Kamp Love, which began as a small camping trip among college friends, went through tragedy (read more of their story in my full length article cited below) but now has expanded to over 15 university campuses, drawing thousands of students. They are a living example that God often does His best work in and through the darkest seasons. Their strategy for fostering real friendships revolves around immersive retreat experiences where students unplug from digital distractions and engage in deep, face-to-face connections. Through shared outdoor adventures, campfire discussions, and communal worship, Kamp Love creates a space where students can form authentic, lasting relationships. Their approach demonstrates that intentional, in-person community can be a powerful antidote to Gen Z’s struggle with loneliness. They frequently say that “When they gather lonely people find friends, lost people get found, and the luke-warm catch fire.”
3. Multiplying Discipleship
Once relationships are formed and engagement begins, ministries must transition into deep discipleship. The goal is not only to teach but to equip young believers to disciple others. Fast-growing ministries move from centralized, leader-driven models to peer-led discipleship, where young leaders take ownership of their faith journey and actively guide their peers. The most effective discipleship models focus on three key elements: providing mentorship, creating a culture of multiplication, and fostering an environment where leadership is expected and encouraged.
Example: How to Life Movement (https://www.howtolifemovement.com/)
How to Life is an entirely student-led evangelistic movement that equips Gen Z leaders to disciple their peers. Through their model, young leaders are empowered to plan, organize, and execute evangelistic gatherings in their local communities. This peer-to-peer approach fosters ownership and ensures that discipleship extends beyond a single event, as those who participate are encouraged to lead others.
Example: Kamp Love
Kamp Love fosters discipleship through immersive retreat experiences. By removing digital distractions and immersing young people in deep relationships, Kamp Love creates an environment where spiritual growth is prioritized. Students are invited to attend and challenged to lead, disciple, and mentor one another. By empowering students to take an active role, they ensure that discipleship is a continuous cycle rather than a one-time experience.
4. Bold Vision
Young leaders are not drawn to maintenance-driven ministry; they long to be part of something world-changing. There is a deep desire to make the world better. Ministries that thrive among Gen Z cast a compelling, Kingdom-minded vision that calls them to step into a movement bigger than themselves. The best way to capture their hearts is to challenge them to use their gifts and talents to make a tangible impact. A bold vision is not just aspirational but actionable, allowing young leaders to participate in mission-driven initiatives that matter.
Example: How to Life Movement
How to Life casts a bold, global vision for young leaders, challenging them to embrace evangelism and disciple their peers. They believe that if Gen Z Christians truly embrace their calling, they could help spread the gospel globally within a decade. This movement empowers young people to see themselves as part of a larger mission, inspiring them to take action in their schools and communities.
5. Vulnerable Leadership
Authenticity is the currency of next-generation ministry. Young people are not drawn to leaders with titles but to leaders who model transparency, vulnerability, and real faith. Thriving ministries create a culture where leaders openly share their struggles, doubts, and faith journeys. This builds trust and allows young leaders to embrace their own growth process in a safe and honest environment. Ultimately pointing to the power of God to transform and redeem every person.
Example: Kamp Love
Kamp Love thrives on authenticity, fostering an environment where young leaders openly share their faith journeys, struggles, and triumphs. Leaders from the top down will openly confess sin. There is no show. It is honest, raw, and real. By prioritizing these conversations, Kamp Love builds trust and creates spaces where vulnerability is celebrated. This transparency invites young leaders to develop their faith without the pressure of perfection.
6. Empowerment
The final ingredient of fast-growing next-generation ministries is empowerment – giving young leaders real responsibility, space to fail and space to grow. Too often, churches keep young people in passive low-risk roles, waiting until they are “ready” to lead. But the best way to prepare them for leadership is to entrust them with meaningful opportunities now. Ministries that thrive create leadership pipelines that transition young believers from observers, to active participants, to owners. They walk them through the process of reaching, discipling and sending.
Example: Love Thy Nerd
Love Thy Nerd empowers leaders by giving them real responsibilities in ministry. Whether through content creation, online community management, or organizing mission trips to gaming conventions, they provide young people with opportunities to lead in meaningful ways. This approach not only builds confidence but also creates a culture of trust where young leaders know they are valued.
Believe it or Not – The Future is Bright (and it starts with you)
I am convinced that the future of the church is bright!
Despite the challenges facing this generation, the future of the church is filled with hope. God is moving powerfully among Gen Z, stirring hearts, calling young leaders, and awakening a passion for His mission. Their deep longings – for purpose, authentic community, mentorship, and impact – are not random. They are woven into them by the Creator, and they find their fulfillment in the gospel and the church.
This generation isn’t disengaged from faith; they are searching for a faith that is real, alive, and worth giving their lives to. And that’s exactly what Jesus calls them into. Ministries thriving among Gen Z are not simply keeping up with the times – they are tapping into the way God is working in and through this generation. Digital dialogue, real friendships, discipleship, bold vision, vulnerable leadership, and empowerment are not just strategies; they reflect the heart of the early Church and how Jesus Himself discipled others.
The future of the church will not be built on maintaining what is or by simply protecting what has been, but rather on releasing the next generation to step fully into their God-given calling. The young leaders sitting in our churches today are the ones who will carry the gospel forward in ways we can’t yet imagine. And as they rise up, the church will not shrink back – it will expand, multiply, and advance the Kingdom in bold and powerful ways.
The future church is not built on maintenance. It’s built on risk-takers, disciple-makers, and leaders who dare to believe that the next generation is ready now.
Imagine five years from now. What if your church was led by 20-somethings preaching, discipling, and planting new mission posts across the city? What if revival wasn’t theoretical, but happening right now through the leaders you’re raising up?
It starts today. Here’s your move:
- Schedule coffee with a Gen Z leader this week – ask them “What’s the dream God is stirring in your heart?”
- Pick one of these six elements and start building it in the next 30 days.
- Pray boldly that God would unleash the next generation through your ministry.
God isn’t done with this generation. He’s just getting started. And through your leadership, they will carry the mission forward into new neighborhoods, new churches, and all the way to the unreached people of the world.
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This article is adapted and excerpted from the article titled Innovations in Engaging the Next Generation Towards Discipleship and Mission written by Billy McMahan, Copyright 2024 by the “Great Commission Research Journal.” For more of Billy’s work please go to his website at BillyMcMahan.com.
NOTES
- McDermott, Tricia. “Ronald Reagan News – Today’s Latest Updates.” CBS News, 6 June 2004. www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/tag/ronald-reagan/
- “1 in 6 Companies Are Hesitant to Hire Recent College Graduates,” Intelligent.com, Accessed Feb 26, 2025. https://www.intelligent.com/1-in-6-companies-are-hesitant-to-hire-recent-college-graduates/
- Rothwell, Jonathan. “Teens Spend Average of 4.8 Hours on Social Media per Day.”Gallup,16 Oct. 2024. news.gallup.com/poll/512576/teens-spend-average-hours-social-media-per-day.aspx.
- McMahan, Billy. (2024). “Innovations in Engaging the Next Generation Towards Discipleship and Mission.” Great Commission Research Journal, 16 (2), 19-39. Retrieved from https://place.asburyseminary.edu/gcrj/vol16/iss2/2
- Coombs, Bertha. “Loneliness Is on the Rise and Younger Workers and Social Media Users Feel It Most.” Cigna Survey Finds.” CNBC, 23 Jan. 2020, www.cnbc.com/2020/01/23/loneliness-is-rising-younger-workers-and-social-media-users-feel-it-most.html.
- Waxer, Cindy. “Generation Z Behavior: Let’s Make a Difference but Also Watch What Celebrities Buy.” Viewpoints, SAP, www.sap.com/sea/insights/viewpoints/generation-z-behavior-explained.html. Accessed Dec. 2024.
- Adobe Communications Team. “Adobe Future Workforce Study: What U.S. Employers Need to Know about Gen Z in the Workplace: Adobe Blog.” Adobe Future Workforce Study: What U.S. Employers Need to Know About Gen Z in the Workplace | Adobe Blog, 27 Sept. 2023, blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2023/09/27/adobe-future-workforce-study-what-us-employers-need-know-about-gen-z-workplace.
- Barna Group. “The Pastoral Succession Crisis Is Only Getting More Complicated.” Barna Group, 23 Aug. 2023, www.barna.com/research/pastoral-succession/
