Gen Z On Deconstructing

Gen Z on Deconstruction (feat. Bailey Thompson)  In this episode of the Real Life Theology podcast, host Reagan Grace Gibbs, the student ministry director at Ekklesia Christian Church, discusses the urgent topic of faith deconstruction within Gen Z audiences. Joined by Bailey Thompson, they dive into the statistics showing the rise in religious disaffiliation among Millennials and Gen Z, the concept of deconstruction and reconstruction from a biblical perspective, and the cultural impact of influencers on faith. They emphasize the importance of discipleship, being actively involved in a local church, and the crucial role of church leaders in guiding and supporting Gen Z. Follow Reagan on Social Media @thereagangrace Visit RENEW.org to view books, articles, and more: https://renew.org/  Watch the Video: https://youtu.be/TpZu2xehddc  Key Takeaways  00:00 Introduction and Host Background 05:30 Celebrity Influence on Faith 10:37 The Role of Church Leaders in Supporting Gen Z 13:01 The Importance of Personal Relationships in Ministry 19:12 Challenges and Solutions for Engaging Gen Z in Church 24:15 The Importance of Studying the Bible 28:54 The Impact of Social Media on Faith 35:27 Engaging with Gen Z in Ministry 37:34 Concluding Thoughts and Prayer Subscribe to the Real Life Theology Podcast: https://reallifetheologypodcast.podbean.com/  Other podcasts by RENEW.org: – Scripture in Black and White: https://scriptureinblackandwhite.podbean.com/ – Step into Scripture: https://stepintoscripture.podbean.com/  Check out RENEW.org for resources on theology and disciple making.  See below for a longer description:In this episode, Reagan introduces Bailey, a worship leader and singer-songwriter from Ekklesia Christian Church. Together, they dive deep into the topic of Gen Z and their relationship with faith, particularly focusing on deconstruction and reconstruction of beliefs. Reagan highlights alarming statistics pointing to Gen Z as the least religious generation in American history. She references Ryan Burge’s research, showing a significant increase in the number of millennials and Gen Z individuals with zero religious affiliation. Bailey and Reagan discuss these trends and the potential reasons behind them, such as less parental influence on religious upbringing. The conversation covers the concept of deconstruction, contrasting its healthy and harmful forms. Reagan explains how Jesus exemplified healthy deconstruction by confronting the false teachings and hypocrisy of religious leaders. In contrast, Reagan and Bailey discuss the modern trend of deconstruction, where individuals systematically dismantle and often reject their faith due to various reasons, including church hurt. Bailey brings in insights from Lisa Childers, who defines deconstruction as a popular trend among millennial and Gen Z Christians. They also touch on how celebrities openly share their deconstruction journeys, influencing their young followers' faith decisions. Reagan emphasizes the crucial role of church leaders in supporting and guiding Gen Z through these processes, rather than just attacking them. Reagan shares personal anecdotes about the importance of church community and mentorship in her faith journey. She recounts how church leaders, including her parents and student ministry leaders, have been foundational in her spiritual growth. This leads to a discussion on the importance of discipleship and being actively involved in a local church, both for personal growth and to foster a supportive faith community for Gen Z. Reagan and Bailey stress that students need consistent biblical study and community involvement to thrive spiritually. Reagan talks about her church's emphasis on discipleship, mentioning their multi-generational vision and various ministries that cater to different age groups. Bailey adds examples of how older generations in the church mentor younger members, creating a nurturing environment for spiritual growth. They