[S3EP2] Gen Z Church Attendance Is Up—Here's What Barna's New Data Means for Your Ministry

Gen Z Church Attendance & Young Adult Ministry: The Great Return to Church | Leading Smart Podcast S3E2

Discover why Gen Z and millennials are now the most regular churchgoers, outpacing older generations for the first time in decades. In this episode of the Leading Smart podcast, hosts Tim Stevens and Holly Tate explore groundbreaking Barna research on church attendance trends, young adult ministry, and Generation Z spiritual formation.

Read more in this article: https://www.barna.com/research/young-adults-lead-resurgence-in-church-attendance/

Topics Covered:

• Gen Z church attendance statistics and millennial churchgoers data (2025 Barna research)
• Church growth strategies for reaching young adults and Gen Z
• Discipleship pathways for younger generations
• Church giving trends and generosity challenges with new attendees
• Post-COVID church attendance patterns and why older generations haven't returned
• Young adult ministry best practices and spiritual formation strategies
• Church leadership challenges in ministering to Gen Z and millennials
• Rethinking Sunday service planning when attendees come 1.9 times per month
• Building community and relational connections with younger churchgoers
• Generation Distinct interview: young leaders responding to spiritual curiosity

This episode is perfect for, church leaders, pastors, ministry leaders, church staff, worship leaders, executive pastors, and anyone interested in church growth, Gen Z ministry, young adult outreach, discipleship strategies, and contemporary church leadership trends.

Learn practical strategies for spiritual formation, volunteer engagement, and creating meaningful touchpoints with the next generation of churchgoers. 

Generation Distinct: https://www.generationdistinct.com/

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Chapters

• 0:38 Discussing the Article on Gen Z Church Attendance
• 2:09 Personal Reflections on Generational Church Attendance
• 3:18 Post-COVID Church Attendance Patterns
• 4:45 Challenges and Opportunities for Church Leaders
• 6:26 Rethinking Church Rhythms and Engagement
• 9:02 Turning Churchgoers into Disciples
• 13:02 Generation Distinct