Terry Parkman, next generation pastor at River Valley Church, shared insights on how the church can effectively reach and disciple Gen Z and Gen Alpha in an interview with China Christian Daily. He emphasized the importance of tailored discipleship, biblical literacy, and cultural discernment in helping these digital generations navigate their faith in today’s rapidly changing world.
From an early age, the Lord gave Parkman a heart for the next generation. He studied ministry towards the next generation in the university and got his first job as a youth pastor. As his ministry began to flourish, he started sharing what God was doing in his ministry with others across the country, which opened doors for him to travel, speak, and build relationships with people in different places.
Today, besides serving as the NextGen Pastor at River Valley Church, a multi-site church based in Minnesota, Parkman also holds positions related to the next generation in various organizations. Reflecting on his journey, Parkman said that he simply obeyed the first step God revealed to him, and everything else unfolded step by step from there.
Characteristics of Gen Z and Gen Alpha
Parkman primarily works with two generations: Generation Z, individuals aged 14 to 24 or 28, and Generation Alpha, those aged 14 and younger.
The development of the Internet offers a helpful framework for understanding generational shifts, as each generation’s worldview is deeply shaped by the type of technology they grow up with.
Web 1, the earliest version, functioned as a digital library designed for consumers to access and absorb information. Web 2 brought the rise of social media platforms like Facebook, enabling users to form online communities and transition from passive consumption to active engagement by sharing and externalizing their thoughts and experiences. Now, Web 3 is emerging and characterized by technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency. This decentralized internet allows individuals to bypass centralized platforms like Facebook and create their own virtual spaces, such as the metaverse.
Gen Z, often referred to as digital natives, grew up in a world dominated by smartphones and social media. They are not just consumers of media but active publishers. Social media enables them to externalize their thoughts and ideas by clicking, liking, sharing, and posting.
In addition, researchers have labeled Gen Z as the most entrepreneurial, innovative, ethnically diverse, and populous generation. However, the disruptions caused by COVID-19 have left many in this group anxious and hesitant, leading to increased screen time—an average of five to six hours a day.
Gen Alpha is fully immersed in AI and Web 3 technologies. They are transitioning beyond the role of publisher to become adapters. This shift aligns with broader societal changes.
Up until 2022, society operated in what could be described as the informational age. The person with the most information often held the advantage in securing jobs or promotions. However, success is no longer about what you know but how effectively you can apply and adapt that knowledge across various contexts.
Reaching Young People: Discipleship, Bible Literacy, Cultural Discernment
Parkman likened Gen Z and Gen Alpha to exiles living in what he calls a “digital Babylon.” Drawing from the biblical narrative of Judah’s exile to Babylon, Parkman highlighted parallels between the ancient and modern contexts.
In the biblical account, God allowed Judah’s exile because the people had become self-centered and idolatrous, failing to fulfill their mission as God’s people. Nebuchadnezzar took Judah’s best and brightest to Babylon, but instead of integrating, the exiles stayed on the outskirts, complaining about their situation and avoiding engagement with the city.
However, Jeremiah 29:4-7 reveals a divine perspective on the exile. God instructed the exiles to move into the city, settle there, increase in number, and pray for its peace and prosperity. The exile, though challenging, was God’s way of realigning His people with their mission to be a transformative presence in the world.
Parkman argued that, similarly, Gen Z and Gen Alpha are placed amid a modern world they cannot separate themselves from. The church’s role, therefore, is to equip these generations to be salt and light within their context rather than withdrawing from it.
To achieve this, Parkman emphasized the importance of meaningful discipleship. He critiques the tendency of churches to disciple young people in a way that makes them resemble the church more than Christ. Instead, discipleship should focus on helping young people live out their faith authentically.
Another critical area for the church is addressing biblical illiteracy. Despite unprecedented access to the word of God through digital means, many people no longer read the Bible. As a result, they struggle to navigate the complexities of the modern world. Parkman stressed that young people need to be grounded in Scripture so they can turn to it for guidance in their personal "Babylon."
Cultural discernment is equally vital. Parkman believes the church must teach young people to analyze cultural moments through the lens of Scripture, discerning what aligns with kingdom culture. When addressing social issues or complex topics, Parkman advised church leaders to remain focused on Jesus rather than offering personal opinions. He also encouraged leaders to embrace ongoing learning. With the advent of tools like AI, pastors can quickly access diverse perspectives, deepening their understanding of issues and enabling them to speak more effectively about cultural and social dynamics.
Effective Church Ministry Examples for Reaching Young People
Parkman shared three exemplary church ministries that have successfully engaged younger generations. These models emphasize discipleship, ministry opportunities, and intergenerational support as key strategies for fostering spiritual growth and engagement among young people.
He began with his own church, River Valley Church, which underwent a significant transformation in its youth ministry to prioritize discipleship. Recognizing that their students were not being effectively discipled, the church revised its approach. The youth pastor delivers a brief 10 or 15-minute sermon focused on Scripture, emphasizing biblical literacy and exploring the tensions and complexities within the text. Following this, students gather in small groups to wrestle with these ideas together, guided by volunteer leaders.
This approach mirrors the practice seen in the New Testament when Jesus taught in synagogues. Parkman noted that the best moments of learning often happen in these small groups, where questions are encouraged, and answers are discovered collaboratively. This method has significantly increased youth engagement and attendance, with students expressing that the open and interactive environment has deepened their connection to Jesus and encouraged them to bring friends.
A crucial aspect of this model is the role of volunteer leaders. These leaders facilitate small groups, helping students grapple with Scripture and its implications. However, challenges arise when leaders are underdeveloped or dominate the discussions.
Leaders must also resist the temptation to resolve every issue for the students, instead allowing them to wrestle with the text and discover personal insights. This process of grappling with Scripture often mirrors the transformative moments seen in the Bible, such as Abram becoming Abraham and Jacob becoming Israel.
Parkman also highlighted the Heart of God Church in Singapore as another successful model. This church is entirely focused on the next generation, with leadership structures that include pastors and deacons from each age group. The church’s approach centers on providing young people with opportunities to engage in ministry at an early age, sometimes as young as 10, 13, or 15 years old. By empowering youth to take active roles in ministry, the church fosters greater engagement and encourages young members to invite their peers.
A third example comes from the International Christian Centre (ICC) in Nairobi, Kenya. This vibrant youth ministry thrives because older generations have made a deliberate effort to understand and support the younger generation. The older members of the church actively create spaces for youth, listen to their perspectives, and invest in their spiritual growth. This intentional effort to bridge generational gaps has resulted in a 200% increase in youth engagement.
More on Discipleship
For Gen Z, discipleship involves teaching them how to externalize their faith, publish, and live out what they believe in the world around them.
Parkman observed that Gen Alpha is distinctly missional, describing them as a generation deeply focused on fulfilling their God-given purpose in community with others who share similar convictions.
Gen Alpha grows in the era of Web 3, where individual versions of truth are widely embraced. They often walk into churches expecting their truths to be accepted without question. This cultural shift underscores the urgent need for discipleship, biblical literacy, and cultural discernment. These tools provide a framework through which newcomers can engage with Scripture, transforming their thinking and aligning it with a Christ-centered worldview.
Parkman expressed concern that the church, particularly in the West, has drifted away from meaningful discipleship. Historically, Sunday school classes played a crucial role in teaching the Bible, but many churches shifted to an attractional model that prioritized small groups. While the intention was to foster community, this approach often relied on the assumption that everyone could effectively lead, which was not always the case. Over time, small groups devolved into simply playing videos and hosting discussions, a far cry from robust discipleship. Parkman lamented this watering down of discipleship over the past two decades and called for a resurgence to address the spiritual and cultural challenges of today.
At its core, Parkman defined discipleship as guiding people to Jesus so they can discover their true identity and calling in Him. Through discipleship, individuals are equipped to live out their faith in ways that redeem the world around them. Reflecting on Jesus’ mission, Parkman emphasized three key objectives: redeeming the lost, reconciling humanity to the Father, and destroying the works of the devil. Discipleship, he explained, is ultimately about empowering people to participate in these transformative actions, fulfilling their role in God’s redemptive plan.
