An Open Letter To Present and Future Church Leaders Our Future is in the Crosshairs Gen X (65.2 million in U.S.), Gen Y (72.1 million), and Gen Z (68 million). They represent 74 percent of the population worldwide. Three generations at risk of extinction—Gen X on the edge, with Y Z dangling from the precipice. With each new emerging generation, our church ranks are receding toward extinction. We don't need another study or fancy statistical analysis to ascertain this. Arbitrarily select a Western world corps or church in any denomination for a visit on any given Sunday. Sit in the back pew and have a look around… Continued Inside.