Gen Z is spiritually open—but the data reveals a surprising shift.

Young men are returning to church in growing numbers.
Young women, however, are disengaging.

What’s driving this divide? And how should pastors, parents, and church leaders respond?

In this episode of The Red Letter Disciple, Zach Zehnder welcomes Grant and Cheyanne Skeldon—leaders at Way Church in Nashville and voices shaping the national conversation around Gen Z faith trends through THINQ and Barna Research.

Together, they unpack:

• Why Gen Z men are drawn to bold, challenging discipleship
  
  
• Why Gen Z women are questioning institutional trust
  
  
• How digital algorithms are discipling this generation faster than churches are
  
  
• The impact of church scandals and leadership failures
  
  
• Why Sunday school-style discussion spaces may need a comeback
  
  
• How one simple phrase—“I see in you…”—can shape a young person’s identity forever

If you care about raising disciples who actually follow Jesus—not just believe in Him—this conversation will challenge and equip you.

Gen Z isn’t walking away from spirituality.

They’re looking for something real.

Let’s build churches ready to offer it.

   

Today’s episode is brought to you by Art of Leadership Academy. This community, formed by Carey Nieuwhof, is designed to help church leaders break the barriers that they are facing.

Every year, Carey unveils his annual Church Trends. This year, I’m working with Carey to unpack each of these trends and what they mean for discipleship. 

Join me for FREE inside of his academy Wednesday’s at Noon CT as we look at each one of the 7 trends. I hope I see you inside the Academy.

Resources Mentioned

Way Church – Nashville

THINQ Media

Key insights from the episode

• Discipleship is happening. The only question is who’s doing it—Jesus or the algorithm.
  
  
• Gen Z men are responding to clarity, challenge, and a call to purpose.
  
  
• Gen Z women are asking questions around safety, belonging, voice, and integrity.
  
  
• Leadership failures have had long-term ripple effects on trust.
  
  
• Social media forms identity faster than Sunday sermons.
  
  
• Young adults are hungry for community spaces with real conversation.
  
  
• Measuring discipleship forces clarity about what we’re actually producing.
  
  
• A simple phrase—“I see in you…”—can mark someone for life.
  

Guest’s Challenge of the Week

Grant:
If you want to reach the next generation, start measuring discipleship.
Define it. Build a plan for it. Evaluate if it’s working.

And this week, tell one young person:
“I see in you…”

Cheyanne:
Shift from asking, “What can we get from them?”
To asking, “What can we give to them?”

Help young women uncover their purpose, calling, and identity in Christ.
Fan into flame what God has already placed inside them.

Are you following Jesus? 

Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.

In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.

You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.