Metro Voice News Celebrating Faith, Family & Community
The Bible is filled with stories of older Christians who mentor younger ones, such as Paul and Timothy. According to new research from Barna Group, a comprehensive study exploring how discipleship is practiced, perceived and prioritized across generations reveals a significant gap in intergenerational ministry.
Among the key findings:
• Although 35 percent of Christian adults ages 55 and older say their church is “very effective” in helping them grow spiritually and caring for their spiritual needs, only 18 percent say their church is “very effective” in helping them create relationships with other generations.
• Recent studies show that while ninety-five percent of children’s ministry leaders say the home should be the primary environment for children’s discipleship, only 55 percent of churched adults agree.
• When it comes to spiritual questions, Gen Z is most likely to turn to the Bible (39 percent), their moms (34 percent) and pastors, priests or ministers (28 percent) as trusted sources.
• Compared to older generations, younger generations are more likely to say they aren’t in a small group because they don’t think they would fit in, are intimidated, fear getting hurt and worry people that wouldn’t like them.
• Older churchgoers share a strong desire for “others to see Jesus reflected in their words and actions.” Meanwhile, younger churchgoers are focused on the idea of “finding a way to follow Jesus in a way that connects to the broader culture they live in.”
“This new research provides invaluable insights for leaders committed to fostering discipleship,” said Brad Hill, chief solutions officer for Gloo. “As the church grows older, it’s vital that we continue to prioritize and support every generation’s discipleship. While many older Christians feel their pastor understands their needs, that sense of connection tends to wane in younger populations, just when it’s most crucial. Unpacking these trends will help ensure people of all ages are effectively discipled and fully supported.”
The ripple effect of transformed lives through discipleship continues to shape how churches approach ministry across generations.
