Gen Z, Millennials Now Surpass Older Generations in Church Attendance
Members of Gen Z and millennials now attend church more frequently than older generations, new research from Barna Group finds.
The typical Gen Z churchgoer now attends 1.9 weekends a month, while millennials average 1.8 times, representing a steady upward shift since the attendance decline during the pandemic. The frequency of churchgoing for millennials and Gen Z has nearly doubled in just five years, rising from approximately one weekend a month in 2020 to nearly two in 2025.
“The makeup and rhythms of church life are shifting,” said David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna Group. “Young people today are showing a renewed openness to faith, and many are finding their way back into church communities. This moment invites leaders to lean in and guide young people toward deeper faith. While churchgoing alone doesn’t form disciples, churches that offer relational connection, volunteer engagement and clear discipleship pathways that resonate with younger generations can help them build a resilient and lasting faith.”
READ: Catholic church announces first millennial saint
However, even regular churchgoers don’t attend often. Among all self-described Christian church-attending adults, the average attendance is 1.6 times a month. Although older adults historically have been the most reliable churchgoers, their participation rates have consistently declined over the past 25 years. Those born before 1946 who attended about 2.3 times a month in 2000 now attend around 1.4 times, and boomers’ attendance has dropped from 2 to 1.4 times a month. Gen X attendance has remained steady at 1.6 times a month but has not grown.
“The fact that young people are showing up more frequently than before is not a typical trend,” Barna Vice President of Research Daniel Copeland said in reaction to the research. “It’s typically older adults who are the most loyal churchgoers. This data represents good news for church leaders and adds to the picture that spiritual renewal is shaping Gen Z and millennials today.”
–Dwight Widaman
