Gen Z Is Leading the Way in Church Attendance and Evangelism, Lifeway Survey Finds

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Gen Z churchgoers attend worship services more frequently than their older counterparts and are also more likely to share their faith, according to a new survey that challenges conventional wisdom and adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting a movement of God among young adults.

The poll, from Lifeway Research's State of Discipleship report, found that the average Gen Z Protestant churchgoer (ages 18-28) attends worship services 6.2 times per month – more frequently than Millennials (ages 29-44, 4.8), Generation X (ages 45-60, 5.1), and Baby Boomers (ages 61 and older, 4.5).

Gen Z churchgoers also attend small groups more frequently, averaging 5.0 times per month, compared to 3.7 for Millennials, 2.7 for Generation X, and 2.5 for Baby Boomers.

“Among those in Gen Z who do attend church, it is common for them to make it more than a part-time commitment,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. “They are present at multiple activities or services during the week.”

Gen Z churchgoers do more than show up for church – they are also more likely, on average, than older generations to share their faith and excel in the report's “Building Relationships” category. Gen Z also outpaces Baby Boomers in the category of “serving God and others.”

But Gen Z trails the older generations in several other categories, ranking last in “Living Unashamed,” “Exercising Faith” and “Seeking God,” and next-to-last in “Obeying God and Denying Self.”

“Young churchgoers who identify as Christians in any of the Protestant traditions agree with many of the beliefs and go along with the practices of the faith but often with less surrender and less discernment of theological details,” McConnell said.

Chuck Peters, director of NextGen ministries at Lifeway, said the data reveals a generation that is highly engaged in church but still needs stronger biblical discipleship. For example, Lifeway reported that Gen Z has “the lowest levels of agreement with key theological beliefs.”

“My biggest concern for Gen Z,” Peters said, “is not that they are disconnected from the church; our research shows that Gen Z is deeply involved. The greater concern is that they are not being deeply formed.”

Peters added: “We need to reach them in relationship, lead them to discover their new identity in Christ, and teach them the fundamental, foundational doctrines of faith through trustworthy teaching and deep discipleship to better form resilient, rooted, and resolute followers of Jesus who see life through a biblical lens and live unashamedly for God.”

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Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel. 

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