The future of children’s ministry: Discipling kids in a digital world needs a different kind of shepherd

We laugh about how absurd the “67” trend is, but have we paused to consider its deeper meaning?

“The joke isn’t the meaning. The joke is the shared confusion,” said Pastor Aaron Carthigasu, Youth and Children’s Ministry Worker at Light of Christ Church Woodlands.

Sharing about pop culture and its impact on Generation Alpha at the National Children’s Ministry Dedication Service 2026, he continued: “With something like ‘67’, the joke is that there should not be a joke, but because of that, we find it funny.”

Organised by Kidmin Singapore – the children’s ministry (CM) equipping arm of The Treasure Box Singapore – the annual event was held on January 17 at Covenant Evangelical Free Church (Bukit Panjang Centre).

Almost 400 individuals representing over 100 churches came together for worship, prayer and a time of learning about key aspects that shape Gen Alpha. The results of the State of the Church in Singapore 2025: The Church and Children study were also released at this event.

While the “67” joke might seem strange – as odd as the video of the slice of bread falling on its side that went viral awhile back – there might be another cause behind its popularity, suggested Aaron.

“Absurd humour is often a response to the information overload that the kids are going through now. It’s a response to the rejection of constant seriousness and a way to cope with the stress of everyday life.”

Emphasising why pop culture matters for discipleship, Aaron elaborated: “Don’t dismiss it. Learn to see it from their perspective. Otherwise, we lose the relational trust.

“Understanding precedes influence.”

As CM leaders and volunteers navigate these choppy seas of ever-changing trends and technology, how then can they be an anchor for this generation?

Here are four tips for discipling Gen Alpha.

1. Be curious, not judgemental

The concept where most people in a generation shared the same shows, songs and cultural references no longer holds for Gen Alpha.

Describing the death of monoculture, Aaron recalled: “Twelve years ago, it was very easy to make a reference to a Marvel movie in a sermon and the vast majority of the kids would get it.”

But Gen Alpha’s pop culture is now shaped by personalised algorithms in a highly fragmented media landscape, compared to the past when content was delivered through a few powerful channels such as major TV networks and radio stations.

“Every child’s feed is unique,” he said. “So because of that, you can no longer ask, ‘What are the kids these days into?’”

Alternatively, one should be asking: “What are you into? What micro-community are you joining?”

“Discipleship can no longer be one size fits all … It must be relational, curious and context aware,” explained Aaron.

For anyone looking to disciple Gen Alpha, listening is now a core ministry skill.

“Our role is not to outlaw the screens … You cannot eliminate this from the child’s life. It’s too big of a force to fight against,” he said.

Aaron also cautioned against mocking culture as that would cause a rift in relationships.

“Because you are no longer choosing to approach your relationship with the child out of a place of curiosity, but you are immediately giving judgement.”

Instead, he encouraged disciplers to approach children with an attitude of: “This is what you’re into. How can I connect with you over there?”

Helping participants to understand more about the world of Gen Alpha were (from left) Pastor Aaron Carthigasu, Elvin and Esther Foong, Carol Loi and Chong Ee Jay.

2. Find opportunities to connect

Those who want to reach out to Gen Alpha will have to meet them where they are at before taking them deeper, said Elvin and Esther Foong, co-founders of Kidmin Singapore.

In today’s digital age, Gen Alpha engages in three types of social connections, observed the couple.

Micro-connections: Short check-ins

Imagine going to sleep at night and waking up in the morning with 900 messages in your WhatsApp.

This is the reality of Gen Alpha, who are connecting through emoji stickers, quick reactions and voice notes; these are fast, frequent and low-intensity touchpoints.

“Because of the digital world that they live in, it trains them that connection is quick, constant, lightweight. That means it’s not deep; it doesn’t last for long,” said Elvin.

“They would really rather just have presence,” added Esther.

Parallel connections: Doing things together

It is also not surprising to see Gen Alpha hanging out on a sofa side by side but scrolling on their own phone, liking each other’s social media post.

They can also be playing an online game together, while being on a Zoom or WhatsApp call at the same time. In essence, it is about being in the same space, digital or physical.

Offering a reason why Gen Alpha might be connecting in such a way, Esther said their schedules are a lot more packed compared to previous generations.

“They have fewer pockets of unstructured, free play,” she noted.

There is also less social pressure when they are simply doing something together instead of talking.

“Having deep talks is very stressful for them,” said Esther, pointing out how growing up in the digital world has impacted their social skills.

“To them, they feel that ‘I can bond with shared experiences first, then maybe deep sharing later.’”

Culture-based connections: Shared content

From TikTok trends and inside jokes to popular influencers and anime fandoms, shared content is a shortcut to belonging for Gen Alpha.

“For them, shared culture is social currency. It signals that you are one of us,” said Elvin.

For example, many of them do not actually know the meaning of “67”, but still do it anyway because they saw somebody else do it.

Summing up how Gen Alpha feels comfortable connecting, Esther said: “They want an environment that’s fast and safe, and they want to find belonging through shared content, shared experiences.”

What does this mean for those intending to engage with Gen Alpha?

“Knowing how they connect socially doesn’t mean that it’s our job to fight their connection style. But it’s to meet them there and gently lead them deeper.”

Part of meeting them where they are is also about embracing their digital platforms.

“My stand is: Do not fear it,” said Esther.

For instance, if you chance upon a good devotional video on YouTube, why not send the video to parents of the children in your class?

“Say, ‘Hey, I’ve watched through this video and here are my reflection points. Can you help me show your son today? Then on Sunday I will talk to him about the YouTube video that we both watched,’” she proposed.

3. Offer deep, human experiences

Even though Gen Alpha is living in a time when they can form digital connections so easily and quickly, “they’re just talking, they’re connecting, but it’s not deep”, said digital wellness educator Carol Loi.

And when human beings are only connecting on a superficial level, their deepest needs will not be met, remarked the youth and family coach. That is why the world is facing an global epidemic of loneliness.

“We’re created in the image of God. We’re created for relationships.

“There’s something deep in us that needs to be filled. But if you don’t fill it with the love of God, family, coaches, children’s ministry teachers … it will be filled with something else.”

Asking members of the audience to take on the personas of a curious boy and girl, Carol conducted a live demonstration of how an AI chatbot would respond to their questions.

Sharing other concerns, Carol highlighted how AI chatbots are now able to function as 24/7 companions that not only offer answers, but also emotional support.

“It can sound like a human being. But is it really a human being?” she questioned. “AI is but data … It’s trained to give us what we want.”

Posing another thought, Carol wondered: “When our children are raised in an environment that always gives them what they want, how is it forming their values and character?”

Agreeing that chatbots can be appealing because they are so empathetic, Chong Ee Jay, family life educator and counsellor, asked: “But what is it that AI cannot offer? The physical touch, your scent, is something that it cannot replicate and replace.”

Since Gen Alpha is already so digitally connected, “what they are crying out for is not more high-tech connections – it is really the human touch that AI cannot totally replace,” he surmised.

Echoing the need for humans to have “embodied experiences”, Carol shared that this was also a point made in Jonathan Haidt’s bestseller The Anxious Generation.

“We are given five senses for a purpose,” she said. But how many senses are children activating when they are connecting through screens?

Calling on church leaders to come together to journey with Gen Alpha, Carol urged: “Let us not let devices – or whatever that’s in our devices – disciple them instead of us.”

4. Teach discernment

In light of the way Gen Alpha is connecting in this digital world, disciplers need to know their role, said Ps Aaron.

“Our calling is not to control the culture. It’s not to say, ‘Don’t watch this, don’t do that’, but learn to help them navigate it and to shepherd them faithfully.”

Media literacy is now part of spiritual formation, he underscored.

“We need to be able to teach kids how to see what they are consuming … to teach the kids to slow down and name what is shaping them.”

Although Gen Alpha does not have a singular culture and they are navigating “many small worlds at once”, the Church can be that firm foundation even as trends come and go.

“This requires a very different kind of shepherding,” said Ps Aaron.

“In a fragmented world, kids need stable identity, safe belonging, trusted adults and meaning beyond the trends.”

In his opening message, Rev Tan Kay Kiong (left), Senior Pastor of Covenant Evangelical Free Church, outlined three things that ministries can pray for: to have an inward transformation, downward demonstration of power from on high and outward multiplication.

As adults who are more spiritually mature, we can use our knowledge and empathy to better guide the next generation, added Ee Jay, who specialises in cyber wellness.

“Sometimes the best tool that we can use comes back to the old-school things … come back to the basics and the foundation of teaching God’s Word, which is never changing.”

Concurring, Esther shared that the Church and home can be the common ground where children are shaped by God’s Word.

“The world around you may be marked by change, but there is a God who never changes. God’s big story of redemption is never changing and is always going to be compelling,” declared Elvin.

“As Sunday School teachers, you and I have the opportunity and the privilege to be able to steward children, to help them apprehend that there is this big story that they can be a part of.

“And as they find their meaning and belonging, not in trends or Gen AI chatbots, but in the everlasting story of Christ, I think that’s the value that you and I can bring.”

Kidmin Singapore is organising a full-day equipping conference on Saturday, April 18, 2026. To stay updated with the ministry’s latest events, follow KidminSG on social media. 

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