The Church of Tomorrow Starts Today: How Southern California Churches of Christ Connect With Gen Z
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This multiple site case study posed the following question: “How do Churches of Christ connect with young adult believers in Southern California?” Two Southern California Churches of Christ, each with more than 10 young adults (ages 18–30), participated in this study. Interviews with 18 young adults and 20 church leaders, coupled with observations of worship service and Bible study, formed the foundation for the findings. Data analysis was iterative through listening to recordings, reading transcripts, taking notes, coding with open analysis and then thematic analysis, and using information from each interview to inform the next conversation. The four themes revealed from the findings were that young people (a) feel connected to these churches because of the deep relationships they have developed with older members and young adults alike; (b) connect with the worship experiences provided at these congregations, whether acapella or instrumental; (c) find connection to the church through the Word of God, valuing the deep scriptural foundation of the churches and the knowledge that members of the churches share through Bible study; and (d) appreciate the way leaders in the churches handle social and political issues that seem to be ever present in their lives. Church leaders may use this study to make decisions in their own congregations to better connect with their young adult population. Researchers may find value in the early studies on Gen Z in Southern California churches because most of the research to date has been on millennials.