Is the Church really seeing a revival in attendance among Gen Z?

Lifeway Research has announced that while church attendance among Generation Z has stabilized after years of decline, polling data suggests that there is no evidence that a “religious resurgence is underway.”

The Christian Post reports that according to data from Pew Research Center‘s Religious Landscape Study, 62% of U.S. adults identify as Christian, 28% have no religious affiliation, and 8% belong to other religions.

Lifeway Research reports that these figures have remained largely unchanged since 2020, suggesting a halt to the decades-long drop in Christian affiliation.

Lifeway Research Senior Writer Aaron Earls wrote, “Based on some specific findings and anecdotal evidence, many have purported that young adults are experiencing a religious revival. While Pew allows that some changes may be taking place that have yet to be captured in national surveys, they say there is ‘no clear evidence that this kind of nationwide religious resurgence is underway.”

According to the Christian Post, monthly religious service attendance now stands at 34% of U.S. adults, with 46% reporting daily prayer and 43% saying religion is very important in their lives.

Among Gen Z, those born from 2003 to 2007, 61% identify with a religion, 35% pray daily, 37% say religion is very important in their lives and 41% attend services at least monthly.

This is in contrast to lower rates among those born from 1995 to 2002, where 55% identify with a religion, 30% pray daily, and 26% attend monthly services.

Earls concludes, “The youngest adults are slightly more likely to include new Christian converts and less likely to have those who leave the faith. Again, the findings don’t give a simple picture of religion in America or among young adults. There are reasons for optimism and concern.”

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