Millennials, the generation that traded hard work for avocado toast and a subscription to Netflix. Don’t forget Gen Z. They’re glued to their phones, TikToking their lives away, incapable of holding a meaningful conversation unless emojis are involved. And now, we have Gen Alpha — the kids so tech-savvy they’ll probably code their homework into existence while asking Alexa and Siri to make their lunch. These generations, with their need for instant gratification and disdain for tradition, are clearly the reason the church is declining, right? Wrong.

For years, I believed the lie that these younger generations were destroying the church. It was easy to point fingers. Millennials, with their church-hopping and preference for podcasts over pews, seemed to have abandoned the faith of their parents. Gen Z’s obsession with inclusivity and questioning authority appeared to dilute the gospel. And Gen Alpha? Well, they’re too young to critique… but give them a decade, and surely they’ll ruin it in their own unique way.

This line of thinking gave me a convenient scapegoat for every challenge the church faced. Attendance drops? Blame Millennials. Disengaged youth? That’s on Gen Z. A lack of respect for church traditions? Just wait till Gen Alpha grows up. But then, something happened: I realized this mindset wasn’t just wrong. It was dangerous.

The truth hit me like a sermon I wasn’t ready to hear: these generations aren’t the problem with the church. They are the church.

Let’s take a closer look at these outcast generations. Millennials (born 1981-1996) value authenticity. They grew up watching institutions crumble and have little patience for hypocrisy or empty rituals. They want faith that’s real, messy, and transformative. Gen Z (born 1997-2012) grew up in a hyper-connected world and carry a deep burden for justice and inclusivity. They ask hard questions, not to tear down the church but to ensure it stands on a solid foundation. And Gen Alpha (born 2013 and later)? They’re growing up with unprecedented access to information and creativity. Their approach to faith may be digital and innovative, but it’s no less sincere.

The lie I believed blinded me to the beauty of these generations. Their priorities and quirks aren’t signs of a church in decline; they’re opportunities for a church reborn. But here’s the catch: unless we value these generations as the present church, we’ll never value the uniquenesses that they bring to the church, and they’ll always be on the outside.

When we treat younger generations as outsiders, we communicate that they’re not yet ready to lead, serve, or shape the future. But these generations don’t want to wait for their turn. They’re ready now. Millennials are planting churches, leading worship, and creating discipleship resources that impact a digital world. Gen Z is mobilizing social justice initiatives and finding creative ways to share the gospel online. Gen Alpha may be young, but their enthusiasm for learning and community lays a foundation we can’t ignore.

If the church is struggling, it’s not because these generations are present. It’s because we’ve failed to embrace them. We’ve clung to traditions that no longer resonate, resisted change, and dismissed their contributions as trivial or misguided. Instead of lamenting what these generations lack, the church should celebrate what they bring: innovation, passion, and a hunger for authenticity.

So how do we do this? Start by listening. Ask Millennials what they need from the church, and you’ll hear words like transparency, vulnerability, and community. Engage Gen Z in dialogue, and you’ll discover their fierce desire to see faith lived out in action. Pay attention to the Gen Alphas in your life; their questions and ideas often carry wisdom beyond their years.

It’s time to stop believing the lie. These generations aren’t the death of the church; they’re its lifeblood. They don’t just represent the future; they are the present. And unless we value these generations as the present church, we’ll never value the uniquenesses that they bring to the church, and they’ll always be on the outside. Invite them in. Honor their contributions. Build a church where every generation thrives — together.