In a striking shift from long-standing trends, young adults in Gen Z are now showing up to church more often than their parents and grandparents.

According to Christianity Today,  a new study from Barna Group and church-tech firm Gloo indicates that people ages 18 to 28 are now the most frequent church attendees, marking a dramatic reversal from previous generational patterns.

The data stems from 5,580 online surveys conducted between January and July of 2025 as part of the “State of the Church” research initiative. The findings, released on Sept. 5, highlight how attendance habits have evolved in the wake of the pandemic and generational shifts. Researchers note that Gen Z worshippers, born between 1997 and 2007, are on average attending 23 church services each year—more than any older age group surveyed.

Older Generations Show Decreased Attendance Levels

By comparison, Gen X adults, born between 1965 and 1980, average 19 services annually. Millennials, those born between 1981 and 1996, now attend roughly 22 services each year—an increase from 19 in 2012. Meanwhile, Boomers and the so-called Elder generation, those born before 1965, attend fewer than 17 services a year on average.

Individuals born before 1946 now attend church about 11 fewer times each year than they did in 2000. Boomers—those born between 1946 and 1964—have also seen their attendance drop by around seven Sundays annually. According to researchers, this decline amounts to a reduction of between 1.5 to 3 months of church involvement each year for older generations.

An earlier Pew study from 2007 showed that 22% of seniors said they seldom or never attended. That figure has nearly doubled by 2025, with 40% of people over 65 now identifying as infrequent or non-attendees.

Millennials and Gen X Return to Church Habits

While the sharpest increases were seen in Gen Z, Millennial, and Gen X churchgoers are also showing renewed engagement. Both groups now average 1.6 services per month, showing recovery from the disruptions of COVID-19. In fact, Millennials have added six to seven more Sundays to their annual attendance compared to the year 2000.

Daniel Copeland, vice president of research at Barna, noted that “young people showing up more frequently than before is not a typical trend.” He described the results as a sign of spiritual renewal shaping both Gen Z and Millennials in this era.

Barna CEO David Kinnaman emphasized the changing nature of engagement, stating that attendance patterns are shifting from a model of weekly involvement to more sporadic participation. “We have this memory that people were there every week—twice on Sundays, with additional midweek services—but now people are going about every two of every five weekends,” he explained.

Tech and Relationships Highlighted as Priorities

Brad Hill, president of Gloo, sees the evolving trends as an opportunity for faith leaders. He believes innovation through digital platforms and personal connection is key to meeting younger adults where they are. “Churches that prioritize relational touchpoints and digital engagement—through text, social media, and other online tools—can better reach younger generations,” Hill said.

The research also points to a possible filtering process within faith communities. Kinnaman remarked that many casual or non-practicing Christians appear to be moving toward identifying as nonreligious, which may help explain diminishing numbers in overall attendance.

This shift, he said, makes Gen Z’s growing involvement even more striking. “It’s remarkable to see younger generations saying, ‘I don’t think we’ve given religious communities enough of a chance,’” Kinnaman added.

Challenges in Consistency and Community Life

Despite the uptick among young adults, many pastors report challenges with inconsistent attendance across all age groups. Sparse attendance can impact a congregation’s ability to sustain momentum and foster rhythm in faith communities.

Kinnaman acknowledged the need to adapt, saying the data points to a deeper reevaluation of discipleship and teaching models. “We really need to grapple with the learning needs, the content needs, of younger generations,” he said. “Especially when people are only in church two out of every five Sundays.”

He believes that a better understanding of young adults' engagement habits could help churches rethink how they structure faith-based learning and community-building efforts moving forward.

Survey Methods and Broader Trends

While the Barna and Gloo study shows rising engagement among certain age groups, it does not reflect total national participation. Broadly, church attendance has continued to decline over time. A recent Pew Research study noted that only 45% of adults under 30 attend religious services—down nearly 20 percentage points from a decade ago.

Furthermore, researchers caution that comparing past and present survey findings is not without complications. Changing methodologies, such as the shift from phone-based polling to online surveys, make direct statistical comparisons difficult between studies conducted years apart.

Regardless, the increase in regular attendance among Gen Z and Millennials presents a new dynamic that could shape how churches engage with their communities in the years ahead. Church leaders and ministries are being urged to take these developments seriously as they consider the future of worship and faith practice.