Emerging Leaders: How to Engage Gen Z in the Black Church
The next challenge for the African American Baptist Churches of the South is the cultivation and development of emerging leaders. Generation Z faces a unique set of challenges: digital media immersion, shifting social dynamics, and a differentiation in values. These attributes shape how they lead and how they expect to be led.
Joni Gultom observes that the next generation has a desire to be heard. However, many of our churches don’t desire to listen. To secure our future, we must change how we engage with the young voices in our pews.
Heard vs. Listened To
There is a profound difference between hearing a young person and listening to them. My spiritual father once said to me, “Many churches want to invest in the next generation but don’t know that they have to make the investment without getting an initial return.”
Emerging leaders need to know they are not just “heard” in a tokenizing way but are “listened” to with the intent of implementing their ideas. Gen Z is not content with being a symbol of inclusion. They demand authenticity. If we only preserve traditions without building frameworks for them to shape the future, we will lose them.
Understanding Gen Z Learning Styles
To develop emerging leaders, we must understand how they learn and operate.
- Relational Over Authoritative: Gen Z does not respond well to “divinely authoritarian” leadership. They respond to leadership that is relational and empowering.
- Participatory Learning: They learn best when there is active engagement. If authority and control are at the forefront of your leadership style, you will alienate this generation.
- Value of Contribution: Young leaders believe their contributions matter. They need to know you value their contribution. If the context in which you deliver wisdom is dismissive, the content will never be received.
The Digital Influence
Generation Z is shaped by digital culture. This means elder leaders must incorporate adaptive strategies for leadership formation. However, digital footprints are not the definitive standard.
In rural contexts, the challenge is often boredom. I have been told by Millennials and Gen Z in rural churches, “There’s nothing for me to do here.” This signifies they value occupation—they want to work, serve, and do for God. But often, traditional church structures presume what emerging leaders want before even asking.
Authenticity as the Key
What has contributed to the decline of the church is the missing portion of development: relationship. Those who have attempted open dialogues have often failed because of a “deficit of authenticity.”
I lead with courage and clarity, unafraid to speak directly. True leadership demands authenticity and a willingness to confront assumptions head-on. Many young leaders today are afraid of resistance, yet friction is often needed to cultivate change. We must model this courage for them.
Conclusion
We cannot rely on assumptions. I have experienced it countless times—leaders starting with “I just assumed.” My response is always, “Don’t assume, just ask me.” Emerging leaders are ready to serve, but they are waiting for an invitation to collaborate, not just a command to comply. By shifting from control to participation, we can empower the next generation of pastors, lay leaders, and vision carriers.