Christianity is the choice for Gen-Z
Could it be true? Is Gen Z really leading a resurgence in church attendance? From the UK to the US—and even here in Canada—data points to a surprising and hopeful trend: young adults are re-engaging with the Church. Reports from the Bible Society, Barna, and CTV’s Your Morning suggest that younger generations are attending more regularly than their elders—a reversal of decades-long patterns. But what does this mean for our congregations, our rhythms, and our readiness to welcome them? At Ministry Forum, we’re digging into these questions and listening closely to those ministering with the Next Generation. We want to know—are you seeing it too? Let’s keep the conversation going.
Young People Are *Returning to Church.
As younger adults—especially Gen Z and Millennials—begin returning to church, it's tempting to celebrate this as a sign of spiritual renewal. But as Dr. James Tyler Robertson points out in a recent Ministry Forum Podcast episode, we should be cautious before drawing conclusions. New research from Barna reveals a complex picture: the increase is driven primarily by young men, while young women, particularly single mothers, are disengaging. This shift calls for deeper reflection. Rather than rushing to capitalize on attendance trends, ministry leaders are invited to listen well, consider who’s not in the room, and faithfully discern what the Spirit might be doing in this moment. This is not just a resurgence—it’s a realignment. And it demands our careful, curious attention.
Voices on Gen-Z and the Church
Recently, we completed our second Capstone project with some students who attend a Christian University. Their project was to assess the spiritual needs of Gen Z (those born between 1996 and 2010). We specifically asked these Gen Z students to do this work because they often don’t get a chance to research (speak for) themselves but lots of research is done on this particular generation.