On January 29 Shelly Melia, program director for the master of arts in children’s ministry and master of arts in family ministry at Dallas Baptist University, shared research and professional opinion with members of the Oklahoma Baptist Children’s ministry association, discussing the importance of reaching next generations with the gospel.
“Generation Beta is only a year old now — they are a work in progress,” Melia said. “Gen Beta is/will be born from 2025–39 [and] to reach them institutions must win over their protective Gen Z parents and adapt from content delivery to authentic, relational mentorship.”
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Melia used an example of emperor penguins: After the mother lays the egg the father protects it for 65 days. Once the baby hatches the mother returns and the family is united. Emperor penguins are protective of their young and have a hard time letting them go.
Prior to this generation, Melia said, parents would willingly bring their children to church, but now are more timid to leave their child in a classroom.
“You must reach protective parents first to gain access to the children,” Melia declared.
What can churches do?
Melia suggested shifting “from traditional lectures to interactive environments. Shift from ‘what’ to ‘why.’”
“This will take humility, curiosity, integrity, empowering parents and a desire to get into the trenches with the parents,” she asserted.
Options include:
- Digital discipleship
- In-person community
- Theologically rich worship music
- Interaction with believers
- Bold Bible teaching
- Expectations to grow
“Leaders should foster an environment where questioning is welcomed and faith is explored rather than only dictated,” Melia said, since this generation is not satisfied with “because the Bible said so.” They thirst for the “why.”
Skills needed
- Critical thinking
- Creativity
- Emotional intelligence
- Digital ethics
- Collaboration
- Resilience
- Empathy
What Gen Beta will need in the church
- A clear moral compass rooted in truth
- Authentic relationships and emotional presence
- Resilience and hope through faith
- Guidance in digital and moral discernment
- A strong sense of identity in Christ
Melia and Shane Pruitt elaborate in their new book, “Reaching Generation Alpha.”
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