Such a good and needed word. The problem runs far deeper (as I’m sure you know). It is generational. Your focus on Gen Z is right and timely, but I lament that it is not limited to them. As the pastor leads, the congregation will follow. The more hollow the thinking from the pulpit and in the counseling chair, the greater the erosion within the church. In my work at a seminary, I try to help students see that their education and all the reading it involves is not just about gaining knowledge or wisdom but about formation. It is about becoming the kind of person who can think well.
Thank you so much for this comment. Your point about the brainrot trickling down is especially poignant, and deserves its own article. Glad you're taking the steps to make students aware of this.
Ben, this is a thoughtful piece and a sobering one, given that I am now raising a Gen Alpha kid who is even more immersed in social media and AI.
One thing that I might be reading into your essay, though, is about biblical literacy and discipleship. There is a tendency across all generations to see discipleship as the process of learning theology in order to better understand God. While that is important, no doubt, I would argue that is not actually discipleship. Rather, discipleship is a process of *becoming* more like Jesus by doing what He modeled for us: giving and forgiving generously, displaying the fruit of the Spirit, offering radical grace toward others, and so on. Yes, that requires biblical literacy. But I also fear, as much as all the points you made, that we substitute literacy for discipleship. That is a problem for Gen Z pastors, Millennial pastors, Gen X pastors, Boomer pastors, etc.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment Chris. A couple points I think might be helpful:
"So if you’re a seminary professor or a mentor of aspiring pastors, train them to be rigorous readers and don’t bless their entrance into ministry until they’ve proven an aptitude for reading... Commit to changing your habits—swapping time on smartphones for time in your study with a stack of books and a pen."
The above was an insertion by the editor and not something I wrote. I understand it could have come off as heavy-handed.
To your point about reducing discipleship to acquiring knowledge, I think this (another insertion by the editor) did a good job of balancing the piece in a way that takes account of what you said:
"We need to read Scripture not just to know facts about God but to know him intimately, personally, developing a deeper and richer communion with him where contemplation gives way to transformation."
That said, I'm not sure this piece was about discipleship; that would be beyond its scope. I see what you're saying about replacing discipleship with Bible curricula, but I don't think that takes away from the point of the piece: declining literacy is a problem in a post-oral culture. I also think that may be putting the cart in front of the horse. It's hard to disciple someone in the Word unless they can read or memorize. As most people can no longer do the latter, it's imperative they be able to do the former. I hope that makes sense.
No problem. I honestly appreciate you bringing that up, because there were a couple sentences I felt could use clarification. Thanks for thinking about these things!
Right, that has been a losing strategy for the past 20 years and WOW, you just articulated a lot in that one sentence! Might be worth exploring that paradigm in youth ministry a bit more. I know that was my experience in youth group for many years until a new youth pastor was hired. Youth group can often feel like a mental health day and not the radical discipleship it’s supposed to be. Thanks for bringing that up.
Such a good and needed word. The problem runs far deeper (as I’m sure you know). It is generational. Your focus on Gen Z is right and timely, but I lament that it is not limited to them. As the pastor leads, the congregation will follow. The more hollow the thinking from the pulpit and in the counseling chair, the greater the erosion within the church. In my work at a seminary, I try to help students see that their education and all the reading it involves is not just about gaining knowledge or wisdom but about formation. It is about becoming the kind of person who can think well.
Thank you so much for this comment. Your point about the brainrot trickling down is especially poignant, and deserves its own article. Glad you're taking the steps to make students aware of this.
Well said! Thanks for sharing this!
Thanks for reading! I’ve been meaning to share it for a very long time now! grateful God gave me the platform.
Ben, this is a thoughtful piece and a sobering one, given that I am now raising a Gen Alpha kid who is even more immersed in social media and AI.
One thing that I might be reading into your essay, though, is about biblical literacy and discipleship. There is a tendency across all generations to see discipleship as the process of learning theology in order to better understand God. While that is important, no doubt, I would argue that is not actually discipleship. Rather, discipleship is a process of *becoming* more like Jesus by doing what He modeled for us: giving and forgiving generously, displaying the fruit of the Spirit, offering radical grace toward others, and so on. Yes, that requires biblical literacy. But I also fear, as much as all the points you made, that we substitute literacy for discipleship. That is a problem for Gen Z pastors, Millennial pastors, Gen X pastors, Boomer pastors, etc.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment Chris. A couple points I think might be helpful:
"So if you’re a seminary professor or a mentor of aspiring pastors, train them to be rigorous readers and don’t bless their entrance into ministry until they’ve proven an aptitude for reading... Commit to changing your habits—swapping time on smartphones for time in your study with a stack of books and a pen."
The above was an insertion by the editor and not something I wrote. I understand it could have come off as heavy-handed.
To your point about reducing discipleship to acquiring knowledge, I think this (another insertion by the editor) did a good job of balancing the piece in a way that takes account of what you said:
"We need to read Scripture not just to know facts about God but to know him intimately, personally, developing a deeper and richer communion with him where contemplation gives way to transformation."
That said, I'm not sure this piece was about discipleship; that would be beyond its scope. I see what you're saying about replacing discipleship with Bible curricula, but I don't think that takes away from the point of the piece: declining literacy is a problem in a post-oral culture. I also think that may be putting the cart in front of the horse. It's hard to disciple someone in the Word unless they can read or memorize. As most people can no longer do the latter, it's imperative they be able to do the former. I hope that makes sense.
Fully agree. Definitely do not want to suggest fault in your argument, just felt it worthwhile to add to it. Thanks for responding.
No problem. I honestly appreciate you bringing that up, because there were a couple sentences I felt could use clarification. Thanks for thinking about these things!
Just-WOW. This is so very true, again Ben.
Parents and Youth leaders alike need to stop trying to relate to our teens, and instead guide and teach them!
Right, that has been a losing strategy for the past 20 years and WOW, you just articulated a lot in that one sentence! Might be worth exploring that paradigm in youth ministry a bit more. I know that was my experience in youth group for many years until a new youth pastor was hired. Youth group can often feel like a mental health day and not the radical discipleship it’s supposed to be. Thanks for bringing that up.
This is a tremendous piece. As the former social media manager of TGC, I would vouch exactly for the dynamics you describe here. Excellent work.
Wow, that means so much Austin! Thanks for reading! I certainly was drawing on personal experience with this one.
As a former-and-now-again youth minister, you are far from alone!