For years, the story has been the same: “Young people don’t go to church.” Pastors have been warned that Millennials abandoned the pews and that Gen Z is the least religious generation in history.
But the latest research tells a very different story.
According to Barna’s State of the Church 2025 report, Millennials (born 1981–1996, now in their late 20s to early 40s) and Gen Z (born 1997–2012, many now in their teens and twenties) are actually attending church more consistently than Gen X and Boomers. Gen Z averages 1.9 weekends/month, while Millennials are close behind at 1.8 weekends/month.
Despite what we’ve been told, the generations often labeled “disinterested” are the ones showing the strongest church attendance habits right now.
Why This Attendance Shift Matters
This shift changes everything. If churches keep planning as though Millennials and Gen Z “don’t care about church,” we’ll miss the opportunity already in front of us.
Millennials are raising families, seeking stability, discipleship, and community for themselves and their kids. Gen Z is spiritually open, wrestling with belonging, meaning, and faith in a complex world. Though for different reasons, both generations are showing up. The question is whether we are ready to disciple them.
Think about it. The Millennial family who visited last Sunday isn’t an exception to the data. They are the data. And the Gen Z young adult who came because a friend invited them? They’re not a rare outlier. They represent a generational shift that’s already happening.
“It’s not that younger generations don’t care about church. It’s that many churches haven’t created an environment worth committing to.”
What’s Driving Younger Generations Back to Church
There are several forces driving younger generations toward more consistent church attendance.
For Millennials, the pull is largely tied to life stage. Entering their 30s and 40s, many want their children grounded in faith and community. They’re seeking stability and discipleship for their families, along with genuine relationships that last longer than Sunday morning.
For Gen Z, many still in high school, college, or early adulthood, the need looks a little different. This is an anxious, digital-first generation. They long for authentic belonging, safe spaces to wrestle with hard questions, and the kind of relational discipleship that feels more like mentorship than a polished sermon. They’re also tired of cultural noise and searching for something deeper.
Both groups were shaped by the post-pandemic reset. The isolation of 2020–2021 awakened a hunger for in-person connection. Virtual connections are no longer enough. They’re seeking embodied, intentional community.
What Millennials + Gen Z Want From Church
When it comes to church, Millennials prioritize authentic community, clear next steps for involvement, and churches that live with a visible, purpose-driven mission. They also place a high value on transparency and accountability in leadership. For them, it all comes down to clarity and trust.
Gen Z’s values reflect their life stage. Belonging often comes before belief. They want to know they’re welcome before they’re expected to conform. They are looking for relational discipleship through mentors who will walk with them. And above all, they want relevance. Faith needs to be lived out, not just talked about, and it must include real conversations about issues like mental health, identity, and calling.
“Ignoring Millennials and Gen Z isn’t just a missed opportunity. It’s a growth ceiling, a leadership gap, and a future problem for your church.“
The Cost of Missing This Opportunity
If we ignore this data and cling to the myth, we risk failing to engage the very people most open to church right now. That would mean missing the chance to raise up the next generation of leaders and aging our ministries out by over-focusing on older demographics.
But if we act now, the impact is enormous. Churches can become multigenerational and future-focused. They can empower Millennials and Gen Z to lead, serve, and innovate. And they can position themselves as the answer to the hunger younger generations are already expressing.
Here’s the reality: Ignoring Millennials and Gen Z isn’t just a missed opportunity. It’s a growth ceiling, a leadership gap, and a future problem for your church.
Five Practical Strategies for Engaging Millennials + Gen Z
Although Millennials and Gen Z are attending more consistently than older generations, keep in mind that they’re still only showing up about half the time (an average of two Sundays out of the month). That means the work isn’t done. To disciple and retain them, leaders will need to bridge the gap with intentional in-person systems and a thoughtful digital strategy.
Here are five shifts to lean into:
1. Audit Your On-Ramp.
Look closely at the first six weeks after a Millennial or Gen Z adult visits. Is there a clear path to connection and discipleship? For example, do they get a personal follow-up text, an invitation to a newcomers’ group, or a simple “next step” on Sunday? Small touches like these build trust fast.
2. Simplify Communication.
One clear message beats five random announcements. Focus on clarity instead of clutter. For example, instead of flooding them with every ministry opportunity, highlight one simple action step each week, and make it easy to act on it digitally (QR codes, text-to-connect).
3. Design for Community.
Younger generations don’t just want to sit in rows. They want to belong in circles. Create environments where relationships form naturally: small groups, mentorship programs, service teams, or even informal hangouts after service. If community doesn’t happen organically, build systems that make it intentional.
4. Empower Younger Leaders.
Don’t wait until they’re “older” to give responsibility. Invite them to lead a small group, run tech, or even shape digital ministry. For example, let a Gen Z leader help manage your church’s TikTok or Instagram presence. This shows you value their skills while giving them ownership.
5. Live Your Mission.
Millennials and Gen Z want to see faith in action. Highlight how your church is making a tangible difference in the community, whether that’s serving schools, supporting families, or engaging in justice initiatives. Then amplify those stories online so they can share them with friends.
If you want to dive deeper into how to build a church that thrives across generations, read my article: Bridging Generational Gaps in Ministry
Quick Audit for Leaders
Take a moment and ask yourself:
- Do we know how many Millennials and Gen Z are already in our congregation?
- Do we have a clear, intentional next step for them within their first 2 visits?
- Are we giving them space not just to attend, but to lead, create, and contribute?
If the answer is “no” or “I’m not sure” to any of these, it’s time to revisit your strategy.
The Bottom Line
If you’re not seeing Millennials or Gen Z in your church, it doesn’t mean the data is wrong. It means your strategy isn’t attracting or connecting with them. Their hunger is evident, but if your systems and culture aren’t prepared for them, they’ll find community and belonging somewhere else.
This is the hard truth: it’s not that younger generations don’t care about church. It’s that many churches haven’t created an environment worth committing to.
Leaders who take this seriously now and make the proper adjustments will build churches that are alive 20 years from now. The leaders who ignore it will keep wondering why they can’t grow.
