The News
A new Scripture Union report on hybrid mission among young people reveals that teens and young adults would rather explore faith deeply with someone they trust personally, but will conduct "fact-finding tasks" about Christianity online. The research shows a clear distinction: young people want relational spiritual mentorship, not just digital content delivery.
Why It Matters
This report offers encouraging news for small and mid-size churches. You don't need the flashiest online presence to reach Gen Z—you need real people building genuine relationships. While digital tools matter for initial information-gathering, young people are craving the one-on-one mentorship, small group discussions, and authentic conversations your church can uniquely offer. This is where smaller congregations actually have an advantage over megachurches. The pathway to faith for this generation runs through trusted adults, not algorithms.
The Takeaway
Invest in training mentors and small group leaders who can build authentic relationships with young people, rather than pouring resources solely into digital content creation.