Meet Generation Z: Understanding and Reaching the New Post-Christian World

I should qualify my rating a bit by admitting that this book was not about what I expected it to be about. I probably should have read White’s book "The Rise of the Nones" instead, and I should have read the information about this book more carefully. I’m not really interested in proselytizing to any generation, so the information about how to reach Gen Z didn’t really move me.

That said, the information in this book about the general attitudes and lives of Gen Z is interesting and valuable, and White does add a disclaimer that habits of an individual don’t always match the habits of an individual.

Chapter 6 covers reasons Christianity and religion in general are becoming more and more irrelevant in the lives of Americans and Gen Z in particular. He also talks about cancel culture even though cancel culture wasn’t so named when the book was written. I disagree with his perception that cancel culture promotes a lack of tolerance for people and ideas. Cancel culture is more about providing consequences for promoting ideas that hurt others.

When people protest a known white supremist or someone like Alex Jones when they are scheduled to speak at a public event, and then that event gets canceled, GOOD! Yes, we have free speech in the U.S., but we don’t have to provide or allow a megaphone for hate speech and or ideas that deny reality and hurt others. Also, for most public personas, a “canceling” is short lived. Cancellation doesn’t actually last, but it certainly serves as a warning.

I agree with White on this point: in an age where everyone can be connected to others all the time, Gen Z is starving for real connection and purpose. Often unconsciously, they are seeking a meaningful life outside of a device but also want to enjoy their digital life. This need is the reason behind the growth of white supremacy and conspiracy connected groups. It’s also not just Gen Z.

White provides methods for the church to reach out to fulfill this need for Gen Z. However, until Appendix A, he only cursorily mentions the biggest reasons Christianity is not even being considered. Yes, lack of knowledge is a big reason, but the other two major reasons are hypocrisy and hate, and I was really down on this book as a result.

One example of its hypocrisy is in the popular evangelical use of the Gospel of Prosperity, where faith and wealth are directly connected. Various megachurches provide plenty of examples. This is directly counter to the teachings of Christ and yet very popular.

Christian pastors and churches really fail to communicate the Bible’s teachings without promoting hate. If I were gay, I would have no desire to join a church whose members find so many ways to express their disdain for me because of my biologically driven desires. Acceptance is not approval, but most people, Christians and non-Christians alike, don’t differentiate.

Appendix A is the reading of White’s talk on gay marriage. It’s well done, and he addresses the important conflicts that turn into hate. Sadly, the hypocrisy of many churches is left unaddressed.

White provides eight actions/philosophies throughout the book, and as far as I can tell the LDS church is the only large, international church on track to stay relevant. I’m not LDS, but the structure of the LDS church and its emphasis on empowering members, youth ministry, discipleship, and outreach are strong for attracting younger members.

In the end, this book really made me think, which I greatly appreciate.