Millennials and Gen Z Outpacing Older Generations in Church Attendance
Recent research from Barna Group and Gloo has revealed a surprising shift: Millennials and Generation Z are now attending church more frequently than older generations. This marks a notable change in attendance trends. According to the study, participants from Gen Z attend church an average of 1.9 times per month, while Millennials attend about 1.8 times. Both groups have shown a steady increase in attendance, particularly notable given the disruptions caused by the pandemic. In fact, church attendance for both generations has nearly doubled over five years, leaping from around once a month in 2020 to almost twice by 2025.
“The makeup and rhythm of church life is changing,” noted David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna Group. “Today’s youth exhibit a newfound openness to faith, and many are discovering their place within church communities. This moment presents an opportunity for leaders to guide young people toward a deeper faith. While the church alone can’t create a clear pathway for discipleship that resonates with younger individuals, it can help them establish a resilient and lasting faith.”
Overall, the data indicates that even regular church attendees aren’t frequent visitors. For instance, adults who identify as Christians attend church about 1.6 times a month, which translates to roughly twice every five weeks. Interestingly, participation rates among older generations have been on a steady decline for the last 25 years. Elders, born before 1946, averaged attendance of 2.3 times a month in 2000 but have now dropped to about 1.4 times. Baby Boomers, too, have seen a decline, with their attendance decreasing from 2.0 to 1.4 times monthly. In contrast, Gen X has maintained an attendance rate of around 1.6 times a month, showing signs of growth.
“These shifts in church attendance open the door for leaders to innovate their engagement strategies,” said Brad Hill, president of Gloo Media Network. “With many people not attending every week, it’s essential to prioritize outreach through text, social media, and other online tools. Each interaction is vital, and this trend offers opportunities for leaders to foster new and impactful ways to develop faith.”
The Barna Group’s study gathered data from a nationally representative sample of 132,030 adults over a 25-year period, with the most recent collection occurring from January to July 2025 through 5,580 online interviews.
