Gen Z and millennials are attending church more often than any other generation, according to new research from the Barna Group.
The study, part of Barna’s ongoing State of the Church project, surveyed 3,500 U.S. adults and found that of the self-proclaimed churchgoers, Gen Z (ages 18 to 28) attends church an average of 1.9 times per month, while millennials follow close behind at 1.8. That adds up to roughly 23 times a year for Gen Z and 22 times a year for millennials — more than Gen X, who average about 19 times annually, and baby boomers, who attend closer to 17. Across all adults, the national average sits at 1.6 times a month, or just under 20 times a year.
“This is not a typical trend,” said Daniel Copeland, Barna’s vice president of research. “The fact that young people are showing up more frequently than before challenges the idea that the Church is losing an entire generation.”
The data adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting younger Americans are showing renewed interest in faith. College campuses have reported revival movements, and Barna’s previous findings revealed that Bible engagement and personal commitment to Jesus are at historic highs among younger adults. Together, the numbers point to a rising trend: Gen Z and millennials are not only attending church more often, they are helping lead a broader resurgence of faith in America.
