Welcome to this week’s episode of the podcast where Brent sits down with Ryan McDermott, the Executive Director of Family Ministry at Christ Fellowship Church in South Florida, to talk about recent research and studies done over the spiritual formation of Generation Alpha and how parents and youth pastors can be impactful in their acceptance and development of faith in Christ.

Whether you are a young or old youth pastor, we would love for you to listen in and see what is talked about in today’s episode and we would also love to hear from you! What is your tidbit of advice that you would add to the conversation?

You can listen to this episode on all your preferred podcast providers. We would also love to have you join the conversation if you would like to be on the show!  Shoot us a message on social media (@talkstudentmin) or an email (podcast@studentministryconversations.org) to get a time set for you to be on the show.

Show Notes

1. The Next Gen is spiritual but they’re not turning to the Church
   1. More Gen A (82%) believe in God than Gen Z (65%). 
   2. Church attendance is at an all-time low with 57% of Gen A and 65% of Gen Z attending church 1 – 3 times a year or less.
   3. They are turning to other spiritual practices. 22% of all teens (including 20% of Christians) polled affirmed the statement, “I regularly participate in spiritual activities like manifesting, crystal healing, ouija boards, saging/smudging, astrology/zodiac signs, or tarot cards.”
      
2. Generation Z and Alpha continue to experience high levels of loneliness and stress, but church family is the answer.
   1. Over 50% of the next generation are experiencing multiple facets of stress.
   2. 35% of 13-25 year olds say that have no one to turn to when they’re stressed or isolated. 
   3. Attending Religious gatherings does not significantly impact feelings of loneliness (see chart on “more data” page). 
   4. “Young people who have a relationship with a trusted adult in a religious institution are more trusting, less isolated, less stressed, more confident about their future, and more connected.” – Speingtide Research
3. Parents are still the greatest influence in the life of a student, and parents need a thriving relationship with Jesus.
   1. Students turn to parents on topics of gender, morality, and questions of God, significantly more than anyone or anything else in their lives – including the Bible. 
   2. Parents influence not only conversationally but also in action. Of Gen Alpha that said they read their bible on their own weekly, 67% said their parents read with them and 58% said they see their parents reading their bible (as opposed to 10% that said they don’t). The same is true for Gen Alpha who pray on their own: 85% pray with parents and 74% see parents praying. 
   3. Only 15% of Christian parents say their most important parenting goal is to pass down faith to their children.
   4. 67% of US Parents of Gen Alpha identify as Christian but only 2% possess a biblical worldview. 

Resources Mentioned
Youth Pastor Summit

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