Kwetsbaar kerkzijn

De kerk als ruimte voor Godzoekers

Samenvatting

This article argues that churches should be vulnerable spaces where seekers of God encounter honesty, rest, and formation rather than rigid certainty or endless discussion. Drawing on the report God in the Netherlands 1966-2024, it highlights the surprising openness of Generation Z (17-25 year old) to faith and the church. Unlike earlier trends, Gen Z shows stronger interest in religion, often shaped by social media and influencers, though actual participation in practices like prayer and church attendance remains limited. This development challenges small orthodox Protestant churches, such as the Dutch Reformed Churches (NGK), to create hospitable and intergenerational communities. Renewal, however, cannot come from repeating old methods but requires reflexivity – the willingness to question and adapt practices. Young people are not seeking entertainment but depth, tradition, and experiences of the sacred. Sustainable church life thus calls for distinctive leadership that nurtures openness, dialogue, and shared discovery across generations.