**Return as clean semantic HTML:** ```html

About

In this compelling episode of the Resilient Pastor podcast, Glenn Packiam, Sharon Miller, and Rich Villodas explore the rise of anxiety among teenagers and young adults in the smartphone era. Joined by Reward Sibande, pastor at Saddleback Church and Senior Adviser for World Vision, the conversation dives into Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation, the power of spiritual formation, fasting as a resilience-building practice, and how churches can create meaningful contexts for the hopeful and open next generation to thrive.

With practical wisdom for pastors and church leaders, this discussion highlights the importance of relational discipleship, healthy boundaries with technology, multigenerational ministry, and empowering young people with both freedom and accountability.

Key Takeaways

• Smartphones have given young people godlike omniscience without the capacity to process it, significantly contributing to the anxiety epidemic.
• Spiritual practices like prayer, self-inventory, and fasting build resilience by helping people say “no” to lesser things for a deeper “yes” to God.
• Empowerment without accountability is abandonment; coaching within relationship is true discipleship.
• The next generation (Gen Z and Alpha) is remarkably hopeful and open, believing they can make a meaningful impact on the world.
• Churches must create stripped-down, relational contexts where young people experience direct connection, community, and visible impact from their contributions.
• Worship and fasting both transfer agency to God and build antifragile faith and character.
• Relational equity is essential before correction or coaching will be received by younger generations.

Highlights

• “Anxiety is one of the products of having that godlike omniscience.” — Sharon Miller
• “You’re not stuck. You have agency.” — Glenn Packiam’s mantra to his teenagers
• “Empowerment without accountability is abandonment. Coaching within the context of relationship is discipleship.” — Reward Sibande
• “This generation is wanting to come back to the visceral… to heart-to-heart connection, to doing life at a table.” — Reward Sibande
• “Fasting is an intentional hardship that exercises agency and builds fortitude.”
• “The Open Generation” research reveals that 63% of Christian teens are hopeful about the world’s future — a powerful opportunity for the church.
• “Worship is the act of transferring agency upward to God.”

```