I recently read an encouraging Harris Poll which stated that Generation Z, (those born between 1997-2012), are more religious and spiritually active than older generations.  33% of Gen Z respondents identified as religious, the highest proportion among all generations surveyed. 88% of Gen Z respondents reported regularly practicing at least one religious or spiritual activity, the highest share of any generation.  They are also most likely to attend religious services or read scripture compared with older cohorts.

Oceans Ministries has found this also to be true with many of the students who decide to sign up for a Kingdom Encounter. There seems to be a hunger among young people to find a place of authentic spiritual community, a place where they belong.

So many desire to have an honest, truthful, raw and trustworthy space to dwell. A place to share fears and worries. Perhaps as a result of Covid, AI, a changing job market, the emptiness of materialism, striving for perfection and popularity, and all the things society continues to pump out… a place to rest and simply be is a longing deep within.

The last few blogs have addressed answers found in Biblical practices for the Anxious Generation that we all seem to encounter one way or another. Persistent Prayer and Hearing the Voice of the Father through the Word have been highlighted and in this blog I want to look at the importance of Finding Authentic Community.

One of the reasons Christianity thrived in its early days was because followers lived in authentic community. As you read through the book of Acts you notice most of the time they met in homes where “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer…” Acts 2:42ff.

These small home fellowships exploded all over the Roman Empire in spite of extreme suffering and persecution. In less than 300 years they transformed the western culture. These simple fellowship gatherings provided a home, a true family, and a Spirit filled life hungry hearts were craving.

As the Harris Poll points out, this is what the Gen Z is looking for as well. This generation which has grown up with smart phones and global networks of social media feeds, are lonely, lost, and looking for something real to connect with. They don’t need big buildings, perfect worship bands, or the best preachers, to heal their anxious souls. They need an encounter with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through a fellowship of followers filled with the Father’s love.

And its not just Gen Z that is looking for this type of authentic community. Recently I was preaching at a small church, after the service a senior saint came up to talk. It was her first time at the church and she shared with me her spiritual journey of trying to find a place where she can experience family and a place to truly belong.

Each one of us is looking for a place to be loved and to love others no matter what generation. We all desire to be part of a community where the Holy Spirit brings Heaven’s love to earth through the ministry of the followers of Christ who open wide the doors to the Father’s home of love.

Ultimately no matter what our age we all desire to interact with someone else who knows they are a weak, needy, and a sinner saved by grace. To know someone whose heart is filled with an ever flowing streams of love from the Father is a true gift. At times we may offer such love and other times in need of such love. Today is a good day for Christ followers to open our hearts, homes, our spiritual communities, to one another. To reflect the love of our Heavenly Father, who has His enteral arms of love open to bring each of us to the place where we truly belong.