Gen Z: A New Look
Author: Abby Carpenter
October 16, 2025
In a previous blog post, I shared my thoughts on why Gen Z feels ambivalent about going to church. While I believe young adult Christians can attend more frequently than the average of 1.9 times a month, I may have undersold the actual progress made in recent years. According to the Barna Group’s recent research,* Gen Z Christians are now attending church more often than in the past, and more interestingly, more frequently than Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers.
This trend might surprise members of New Covenant Church since churches in suburban areas often lack Gen Z members. However, this reversal has been apparent at my church in downtown Houston over the past year. It won’t be long before NCC experiences a similar trend, as the majority of Gen Z individuals are interested in moving to the suburbs.
How should we encourage this trend? While the Barna Group rightly emphasizes the great opportunity it presents for churches like NCC to nurture the faith of Gen Z, I, as a member of Gen Z, disagree with some of its recommendations.
Barna encourages discipleship strategies that take into account the irregular church attendance of Gen Z (Zoomers). These include digital tools such as church apps for texting and small group forums. However, while group chats may be helpful for administrative and logistical tasks, I doubt that digital tools will effectively bridge the gap in church attendance. Another app cannot solve this problem.
Sermons are typically posted online, many pastors already offer podcasts on a variety of topics, and worship music can be easily accessed through numerous platforms. Unfortunately, the increasing use of digital tools will only make young adults more comfortable with skipping in-person church and worshiping at home. Instead of a digital response, we need to underline parts of the church experience that they cannot find online.
Ushering, contributing to the music of the service, teaching Sunday school, and serving post-church lunches will help foster a sense of purpose and obligation. Certain aspects of a liturgical worship service will also be vital, especially those that require the congregation’s active participation, such as reciting the Creed and receiving Holy Communion. By nature, the experience online will not be the same.
Then there is the need for Gen Z to have mentors. In a world where you can find how-to posts on every corner of social media and the internet, young adults are seeking personalized, authentic role models. Young adult Christians are seeking something genuine. They crave connection, recognition, and a sense of belonging within a community. They want individuals to guide them through marriage, the workforce, and raising children, especially if their own parents aren’t nearby or do not share their faith.
But unfortunately for them, many aren’t finding their elders as involved in the church community as they once were. Gen Z and Millennials often receive a bad reputation for being angsty and ambivalent toward the church. But we need to keep in mind that Boomers, currently aged 61-79, have significantly decreased their own participation. As well, the participation of Gen X has been stagnant.
An obvious explanation is that as people age, it can be harder to remain active and involved. Just as important as nurturing the new interests of Gen Z is supporting the continued interests of Boomers and Elders. Therefore, churches need to meet the needs of a growing, aging population that often faces health challenges and transportation issues. Making church more accessible will be crucial.
Additionally, the church must help seniors recognize their vital role in the church’s growth. Instead of overlooking their importance while focusing on “the future” of the church, addressing the spiritual needs of this older group will complement the needs of younger generations. For instance, Boomers should be encouraged to participate in mentorship opportunities.
Unfortunately, some Boomers and Gen X individuals are stretched thin supporting an elderly loved one, such as a parent, while also caring for their own children or grandchildren. Attending competitive youth sports or other weekend activities for their kids and grandchildren, and managing healthcare tasks for a parent, can encroach on Sunday morning time. Going to church may feel less like a break and more like another task to accomplish. Building strong support networks, where things like meal trains and babysitting are standard, can help ease this burden, making church feel like a haven rather than just another obligation.
While every generation has its particular spiritual needs, Gen Z isn’t doing so badly when it comes to attending church. Yet all of us, not just Zoomers, can ask ourselves, “Why don’t I go to church every Sunday?” We all need Jesus, and we all need the church to help nurture our faith and empower us to share the gospel with our friends.
He is the ultimate source of the church’s strength and growth, not us or any strategy we can implement. Even if we don’t see the church growing, we can always take comfort in knowing that Christ is indeed building His church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).
*The Barna Group defines generations by specific birth years, using these ranges: Gen Z, also known as Zoomers (1999–2015), Millennials (1984–1998), Gen X (1965–1983), Boomers (1946–1964), and Elders (born before 1946).
Abigail Carpenter graduated this past spring from Rice University in Houston, Texas, with a degree in Classical Studies and Biosciences. She is the author of Forget Me Not: Memories of a Memory Caregiver.
Photo by Ismael Paramo on Unsplash.
BACK