From the Editor

Technology and Mission

STACEY MCKENZIE

A Multi-generational Call to Relationship

In its nearly 40-year history, Barna Group has conducted more than two million interviews over the course of thousands of studies, and has become a go-to source for insights about faith and culture, leadership and vocation, and generations.¹ They have defined a future-focused church as one that not only envisions where it wants to go but actively engages its congregation, particularly the next generation, in shaping that future.² Professor Christian Smith at the Center for the Study of Religion and Society at the University of Notre Dame also stresses the importance of “deep culture” across generations in keeping our churches relevant.³

We find ourselves at the intersection of another burst in the significance of technology and a challenging time for developing and maintaining meaningful interpersonal relationships, where we feel seen, known, understood and accepted. For the first time, technology can be used as a real-life, 24/7 substitute for conversation and interaction—even for cognitive therapy.⁴ At the same time, Barna’s research identified three top spiritual concerns of Gen Z Christians (defined as young people born during the late 1990s and early 2000s⁵. They were talking to God in prayer (43 per cent), learning how to pray (28 per cent), and caring for the poor and marginalized (24 per cent).⁶ In this setting, what opportunities does our shared intergenerational future in ministry hold?

As early as Genesis 4:26, we see people beginning to call on the name of the Lord. In our time, as it was then, God’s Spirit is at work, drawing us into relationship. Every generation continues to sense that call, and it will always be that way (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Every believer, from every age bracket, has a unique role to play in continually bringing the truth of Scripture’s encouragement to life: “One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts” (Psalm 145:4, ESV). For as long as He endures, and we call on Him, testimonies will remain (Psalm 136; Psalm 116:2; 1 Peter 1:25).

2-editorial body We have ongoing opportunities to encourage each other and to share widely the wonders God has shown us of His presence and power through prayer—something that technology can never match (John 16:24; 1 John 5:14-15). Even in dry or discouraging seasons, we can recall unmistakeable answers to prayer to keep us going until new wonders emerge (Psalm 30:5; Hebrews 10:36).

In caring for our community, organizing our corporate time and resources to meet tangible needs has been a surefire way to get every generation serving and loving together. It also makes room for God to fill our hearts with joy. Personal opportunities to show kindness can show up unexpectedly when we’re alert and prepared to join in what God might be doing in the lives of people around us. I once missed an opportunity to offer help to a couple being turned away from my local doctor’s office. They were being redirected to a place much further away, where people without a provincial health card could be seen. It was late spring, but the weather was cold; in hindsight I realized that their attire wasn’t warm enough, and I could have done more.

Prayer in community and care for the community are hallmarks of our faith tradition, offering an encouraging confirmation that we have a reliable path we can trust to keep moving forward. And with the assurance we have of God’s work in the background of our personal lives and in our faith contexts (Matthew 28:20), we can be sure that the Spirit will give us all the insight, wisdom, creativity and resources we need to engage both those inside and outside of our church walls.

This article appeared in the October/November/December 2025 issue of testimony/Enrich, a quarterly publication of The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. © 2025 The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. Photo by Ismael Paramo on Unsplash.

“We Help Christian Leaders Understand the Times and Know What to Do,” Barna, accessed August 29, 2025, https://www.barna.com/about
“3 in 5 Leaders Believe Their Church is Future-Ready—Is Yours?” Barna, October 15, 2024, https://www.barna.com/trends/3-in-5-leaders-believe-their-church-is-future-ready-is-yours
Christian Smith, “Don’t Underestimate ‘Deep Culture,’” response to “The Fate of Faith – A Symposium on Christian Smith’s Book Why Religion Went Obsolete,” Christianity Today, May/June 2025, 100.
Nora Young, “People Are Turning to AI for Emotional Support. Are Chatbots up to the Job?” CBC News, August 29, 2025, https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/companion-ai-emotional-support-chatbots-1.7620087.
“Gen Z: Years, Age Range, Meaning, and Characteristics,” Britannica, last updated September 1, 2025, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Generation-Z.
Barna, “3 in 5 Leaders Believe.”