Understanding Generations to Build Stronger Churches - Ryan Vet
From Dents in the Darkness by The Northeast Collaborative
May 14, 2026 · 44 min · Season 1 · Episode 66
About this episode
Ryan Vet discusses leading across generations in the church and the impact of generational shifts on community and discipleship.
In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Vet — USA Today bestselling author, futurist, and leadership thinker and follower of Jesus — to unpack what it means to lead across generations in today’s rapidly changing culture. We also dive into how these generational shifts are deeply impacting the church — especially discipleship, community, and small groups. Ryan shares why younger generations are craving authentic relationships, meaningful conversations, and spaces where they can belong before they believe. We discuss how churches can rethink small groups and community environments to better engage multiple generations while still remaining rooted in biblical truth. We talk about: Why generational leadership matters more than ever The biggest misunderstandings between generations How Gen Z and Gen Alpha are reshaping leadership expectations The value of investing in a small group Why younger generations value authenticity and community How technology and AI are accelerating cultural change How generational shifts are affecting discipleship and church engagement Practical ways churches can bridge generational gaps Why healthy leaders must learn to adapt without losing conviction Ryan…
People in this episode
Guest: Ryan Vet
Topics covered
- generational leadership
- church engagement
- discipleship
- community
- authentic relationships
- cultural change
Keywords
- generations
- church leadership
- small groups
- Gen Z
- Gen Alpha
- authenticity
- community
- cultural change
- technology
- discipleship
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: USA Today
Books & works: The Velocity Gap, Generational Prism
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- Be the Church - Mike Rubino & Gary Campbell · March 9, 2026 · 42 min
- Discipling the Next Generation - Shane Pruitt · February 10, 2026 · 38 min
- Celebrations of 2025 and What’s Ahead in 2026 - NEC Leadership · January 13, 2026 · 39 min
- Longevity in Ministry — Q/A with Dr. Crawford Loritts · December 9, 2025 · 28 min
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