For those of us who remember dial-up internet, corded phones, and floppy disks, adapting to new technology may take a little more time than it does for younger people. By the time we figure out something new, something newer is already trending.

Young adults, however, are digital natives. They can scarcely remember a world without smartphones and social media. They seem to move from one thing to the next with speed, comfort and ease.

According to a recent report from Pew Research Center, just 2% of U.S. adults age 65 and older use Snapchat, and 4% use TikTok. By contrast, about three-quarters of 18- to 24-year-olds use Instagram and Snapchat, and 55% use TikTok.

When leading and mentoring young adults, it’s important to understand how they interact and see the world. This includes knowing something about social media.

You don’t have to become an expert in all the latest social media trends. But there are a couple of key things to keep in view as you reach out to this generation through social media.

Be Authentic

Young adults value authenticity. They won’t buy into anything that doesn’t exemplify honesty. If you are going to earn their trust, you need to be genuine and real.

The content you push out through social media will show young people your church’s purpose and mission, and that information is important to them. They want to understand why your church exists and what can be expected if they become a part of it.

Remember, you’re not selling your church with the content you are creating. You are simply trying to share your story. Young adults want to know what your church is like behind the scenes and what the pastor does beyond the platform.

Young people aren’t looking for splashy marketing campaigns. They want to know
who Jesus is and what His people are all about.

Avoid gimmicks. Young people aren’t looking for splashy marketing campaigns. They want to know who Jesus is and what His people are all about. Young adults want to wrestle with the tough questions and have someone they can approach help them search for answers.

I’m certainly not suggesting we water down the message of the gospel. In 1 Thessalonians 2:4, Paul reminds us of the importance of pleasing God, not people. When we are authentic in our relationship with Jesus, we can be authentic with other people — including on social media.

Build Community

Community is important to young adults. They often seek out communities of people with shared interests on social media. Community includes participation and dialogue.

Although Generation Z wants to know what your church is doing and what its values are, they also want their voices heard. They want to know you are listening to their feedback and taking their needs into account.

Young people are also eager to learn where they fit in. You don’t need to change your church’s mission. You just need to be willing to listen to them.

When building communities, also keep in mind that social and environmental issues are important to young adults. While interacting with your church, they will want to know whether you share their concerns. Addressing this can be as simple as talking about what your church is doing in the community and the world to make a difference. Provide opportunities for them to get involved too.

Acts 2:42–47 describes the Early Church as an authentic, united community that supported one another, helped the poor, and honored God. Community is an important aspect of our Christian faith. Social media can help connect young adults with a church community.

Social media isn’t just a tool to get your information out or to increase your followers. It’s a way to create genuine communities where you engage and connect. Although technology and social media have their downfalls, they also have the potential to help your church advance the gospel and reach this generation for Christ.

Instead of seeing social media as a barrier or another item on your to-do list, approach it with a community-building mindset.