A New Generation Seeking Hard Truths

About The Podcast

“Generation Z” has been painted with plenty of stereotypes by older generations: They’re flaky, they can’t handle adversity, they don’t do anything except stare at their phones all day. But as the college and community pastor at Auburn Community Church in Alabama, Gage Henry has gotten to know this generation very closely, and the traits he’s seen in them might surprise a lot of people—and inspire hope for a brighter future. In this week’s conversation with Nate Dewberry, Gage talks about his work with college students, as well as the work he and his wife are doing with the two most important young men in his life—their two sons.

Show Notes

Timestamps

0:00  — Intro/Some scripture that Gage has been reading

3:35  — Dealing with a difficult season of life

13:45  — Gage’s faith journey and how it informs his current work with young people

21:50  — What Gage sees in college students these days

30:44  — Auburn Community Church and what’s happening there

36:52  — The challenges of being a rapidly growing ministry

40:56  — What Gage has learned about balancing ministry with marriage and fatherhood

52:42  — The men who have most influenced Gage’s life and leadership

Discussion

1. “What if the thing I’m going through,” Gage ponders early in the podcast, “is an invitation from God to receive more of God?” Discuss this question by thinking back to a time of particular struggle or hardship in your life. Did you sense God’s voice or presence in your life at all during that time? Did you gain anything from that experience—wisdom, stronger relationships, a greater sense of resilience—that, in retrospect, might have been God’s way of inviting you to a closer relationship with Him? Jeremiah 33:3
2. Gage talks about losing his mother to cancer in 2024 and how he felt that loss particularly acutely during the holidays. Rather than simply trying to block it out and act like nothing was wrong, though, Gage used it as an opportunity to be open and honest about his feelings, which even helped open a line of spiritual communication with his young children. Is there a loss, setback, or hardship in your life right now that you’ve been reluctant to talk about for whatever reason? What might be some potentially positive developments if you were to open up about those feelings to people you trust?   1 Peter 5:7
3. “If you’re in, be in. If you’re not, get out. But don’t waste my time.” Did someone you looked up to ever give you an ultimatum or challenge like the one Gage’s youth group leader gave him when he was 16? Did it surprise you to be challenged by someone you felt close to, and how did that affect your decision? Do you feel like you rose to the challenge in a way that made you a better, more godly person? Matthew 16:24, Revelation 3:15-16
4. What generation (Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, Gen Z, etc.) do you consider yourself to be part of? What were some negative ways in which your generation was stereotyped when you were young? Did those stereotypes prompt you to rebel, or inspire you to try and prove them wrong?
5. How would you describe your own generation, particularly in light of the circumstances in which you grew up? What aspects or traits made your generation unique? In general, do you think you viewed the future—both your own prospects, and those of the world in general—with optimism or dread? 
6. Do you currently have any close relationships with members of Generation Z, particularly those who are of college age? What impressions have you drawn from those relationships? Is there anything about this younger generation that has surprised you in a positive way? What have you learned from interacting with them?
7. In evaluating potential new hires for their rapidly growing ministry, Gage says he and the other leaders at Auburn Community Church are less likely to ask “What task would be executed more efficiently” by that hire, but rather, “Who is being pastored by this hire?” In your workplace, community activities, or even friend group(s), how do you decide whether to add new employees or members? What sorts of traits or assets do you look for—do they generally pertain to efficiency/profitability, or do you pay close attention to their communication skills and the way they help other people grow?