HOW APEPAV CAN ENGAGE WITH DIGITAL MINISTRY

How Your Church Can Engage the Most Spiritually Open Generation With Digital Ministry

Learn how to harness the power of texting through the 100 Conversations Challenge to meet spiritually open neighbors in their own digital space.

Did you know that Generation Z is the most spiritually open generation on the planet right now? And that includes your zip code too!

This receptiveness presents a unique opportunity for evangelism. Gen Z individuals—those born from 1997 onwards—show an increased openness to spiritual dialogue compared to other generations. This revelation is both encouraging and exciting.

But, as we sometimes look upon younger generations with curiosity, it also begs the question:

How will this openness impact our strategy and approach to sharing Christ with others?

Barna Research and Spiritual Openness

According to Barna Group, about one-third of people identify as spiritually open but not Christian. Among Gen Z, this figure rises to 42% that are spiritually open.

This indicates that nearly half of young people, regardless of church upbringing, are open to spiritual exploration.
How will the church leverage this openness and identify impactful strategies to connect this generation with Christ’s teachings?

There are plenty of proven ways to connect effectively with Gen Zers. In this article, we’ll address how to harness simple and universally available tech to reach a new generation and offer a tangible resource to make it a reality in your community.

To navigate quickly, use the table of contents below:

The Shift in Communication Channels
Harnessing Technology for Evangelism
Have You Thought Through What Digital-First Looks Like?
100 Conversations Challenge Cohort
Start the Conversation
Join the Cohort and Fast-Track Connections

Did you know that 42% of Gen Z are spiritually open, according to Barna Group? That’s almost half of our young people! How will the church leverage this openness and identify strategies to connect this generation with Christ’s…

The Shift in Communication Channels

To effectively engage with Gen Z, gaining insight into their communication habits is paramount.

This generation, unlike its predecessors, leans heavily towards digital modes of communication, favoring screen interactions over traditional face-to-face dialogue.

Their innate comfort with technology, an attribute fostered by growing up in a digitally-dominant era, shapes their interaction preferences. This shift towards digital communication as the default preference opens up refreshing avenues for evangelistic conversations.

By embracing these digital platforms—from social media to messaging apps—we can meet Gen Z in their comfort zone, fostering a more natural and receptive environment for beginning spiritual discussions.

This approach not only aligns with their lifestyle but also takes advantage of the constant connectivity, providing opportunities for ongoing conversations that may not be possible in traditional settings.

Just the text messaging realm alone presents a vast, untapped potential for engaging Gen Z in meaningful, transformative relational-centric conversations.

Harnessing Technology for Evangelism

Consider the possibilities for evangelism if we strategically utilize tech to reach out to those exploring their spirituality, particularly individuals aged twenty-six and under. By using text messaging, a non-intrusive yet effective mode of communication, we can sustain meaningful dialogues about faith.

Here are just a few of the benefits of integrating text messaging into your outreach:

Communication via texting allows you to meet them in their own digital space—within the confines of their phones, where much of their daily life unfolds. It’s an environment they feel comfortable and familiar with, thus potentially making spiritual discussions less daunting and more accessible.
Text messaging offers the advantage of asynchronous communication, enabling these individuals to engage in conversations at their own pace and on their own terms. This flexibility can make spiritual exploration less imposing, overwhelming, and more appealing, inviting deeper engagement.
By harnessing the power of technology in this way, we can extend our reach beyond the boundaries of physical events, and connect with spiritually curious individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. This broad reach can accelerate your evangelistic efforts, fostering quicker relationship development, before someone ever walks into your church’s foyer.

Through technology, we can transform evangelism, making it more relevant, engaging, and impactful for the younger generation. Harnessing the power of texting can meet spiritually open neighbors where they’re most comfortable: their own digital space. #ChurchTechToday #100ConversationsChallenge.

Master texting for the 100 Conversations Challenge to connect with spiritual open locals.

Have You Thought Through What Digital-First Looks Like?

As we navigate 2023 and into 2024 and beyond, it’s clear that traditional methods of evangelism need to evolve. The current generation, characterized by their openness to spiritual discussions and preference for digital communication, requires us to rethink our approach. By embracing digital platforms for evangelism, we can meet them where they are and engage them in meaningful spiritual dialogues.

Churches must leverage technology to connect with Gen Z and evangelize in new ways because they live digital-first lives.

If you’re a church leader trying to figure out the best way to share the gospel with Gen Zers, the 100 Conversations Challenge could be just what you need. It’s a space where pastors will come together to learn the best ways to reach those who are exploring their spirituality. Plus, it’s a great way to learn from other leaders and expand the Kingdom in new and innovative ways. Churches, it’s time to go digital. To connect with Gen Z, we need to evangelize in new ways that resonate with their digital-first lives. Join the #100ConversationsChallenge today. It’s a unique platform for church leaders to…CLICK TO TWEET

100 Conversations Challenge Cohort

By hopping on board with other church leaders through the 100 Conversations Challenge Cohort, you’ll get to:

Connect with folks in your community who are specifically open to spiritual discussions
Start real, meaningful discussions with them through easy-to-facilitate texting dialogue
Kickstart over 100 new conversations with people who live nearby this next year

When you join the 6-week cohort which starts October 10 (applications are closed for Cohort 1 which began on 8/1), you also get access to some really useful templates and resources that can help answer common questions about life and faith, empowering your team to navigate the realm of digital evangelism with confidence.

Start the Conversation

Thousands of faith leaders are already using text messaging with this method being taught in the 100 Conversations Challenge to engage with Explorers in their local areas. It’s truly inspiring to see stories of individuals finding solace, motivation, and even an open invitation to attend church.

As Gen Z continues to navigate their spiritual journeys at their own pace, the relationships built via churches using the Gloo text messaging tool have proven to be vital for these Explorers.

When they decide to explore the possibility of attending church and deepening their spirituality, it’s these connections that provide a comforting presence for them within their local faith community.

Faith leaders are harnessing the power of text messaging via the #100ConversationsChallenge, connecting with locals who are exploring spirituality. When Explorers are ready to deepen their faith journey, it’s these ties that offer a warm welcome in their local faith community.