The Net Generation (Net Gens)

The challenge for preparing the future leaders of the church usually starts with understanding the generational group and its culture. In past newsletters we attempted to describe the groups we were dealing with next and thus covered the “Baby Busters,” the “Gen Xers” and the “Millennials.” Today, on the heels of the Millennials, we find ourselves preparing the Net Generation. This generation is 24 years of age or younger and they really do not think of the world as ever having been without the internet. They are a generation with a strong preference for the visual and technology. Authors Dianna and James Oblinger, in their “e-book” Educating the Net Generation, ask the question “If the Net Generation values experiential learning, working in teams, and social networking, what are the implications for classrooms and the overall learning environment?” (Pg. 1.4)

For those of us in theological education the question remains relevant as well, and we have to add the question, “What are the implications for the church and ministerial formation?” Will the church that we minister to be a “multiuser virtual environment,” or, will it continue to include pews, organs and homilies in a building with unique architecture? Education and forming the Net Generation is going to have its challenges and it will benefit us to identify what it is we are dealing with and how we may want to adjust what we do according to our findings. The following are things we may want to keep in mind:

- Technology is going to allow individuals to learn as much as they want to about virtually any topic – the information that constitutes a masters degree at MIT is now completely available on the internet; and it’s free. It is prophesied that a masters degree in theology is not far off.

- Individuals who have been raised with the computer process information differently – “they develop hypertext minds, they leap around.” (Pg. 2.4) A linear thought process is uncommon and the Net Generation will tend to piece information together from multiple sources. How that allows for the understanding of a triune God is not certain; it may help… Sermon preparation and delivery may never flow the same again. Messages will probably rely more on Powerpoint presentations.

- The Net Generation has the ability to read visual images and they are very capable at integrating the virtual and physical (Video games…). Video clips from movies may become a necessity for clear communication to this group.

- They learn best through inductive discovery as opposed to being told. The experiential is important and doing ministry is a priority for this age group.

- Net Generation students are able to shift their attention rapidly from one task to another – known as attentional deployment.

- They are able to respond quickly and expect rapid response in return. This could create impatience with people, processes and God if response times become too slow. A lengthy program such as the M.Div. is unacceptable to many Net Gens and they are quick to get into ministry rather than committing to a classroom requirement.

- While highly mobile, moving from work to classes to recreational activities, they are also very connected by having laptops, cell phones, pagers, etc. at their disposal.

- Net Generation folks “gravitate to activities that promote and reinforce social interaction – whether IMing [Instant Messaging] old friends, teaming up in an internet game, posting Web diaries (blogging), or forwarding joke e-mails.” (Pg. 2.6) “Although technology can’t change one’s personality, introverts, for example, use the Internet as a tool to reach out.” (pg. 2.6) Churches have no problem getting people to follow up on first time visitors by asking for the first contact to be made by e-mail or IM.

- They tend to prefer to learn in teams, thus making them great candidates for small group ministries and discipleship. More and more young candidates see themselves going into discipleship ministry.

- The Net Generation is very achievement oriented and much prefer structure over ambiguity. They want to know what it will take to achieve a goal and be declared successful. For many, theological reflection is difficult since it is vague and difficult to measure.

There is much more to learn about this generation and how it will affect ministry and preparation. More will be said in future blogs.