Gen-Z
Dear COAH,
Gen Z (people born between 1997-2012) now has the highest church attendance of all the current generations, including Boomers (1946-1964), Gen X (1965-1980), and Millenials (1981-1996). This is according to a statistical report in late 2025 from Barna Group, which is a Christian polling organization that gives data to grasp current trends that impact the Church today. Some pastors and Christian influencers have even gone as far as to say that revival is happening in Gen Z. You might recall the event at Asbury University in 2023 in which a regular Wednesday chapel service turned into a 16-day student-led revival. The generation once statistically shown to be “the least religious generation” is starting to show signs of renewed life.
While there is hope, we also need to take a closer look at what’s actually happening and how we as the Church are called to faithfully respond with the next generation. Barna actually breaks down church attendance as the average number of weeks in a given month. With this understanding, Gen Z does lead with 1.9 average church attendances in a month, followed by Millenials at 1.8, Gen X at 1.6, and Boomers at 1.4. Yet, that’s averaging less than twice a month even for the highest church attendance. We might think, “Well, 1.9 times a month is better than zero.” While it’s definitely a good report compared to the historical trend of people leaving the church, the question remains: How are we as the Church reaching these church attenders? You see, if we’re content with the idea that more people are attending church, but we fail to act with this God-given opportunity to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you,” (Matt 28:19-20), then we might as well be the one servant who buried the talent instead of using it to multiply God’s Kingdom.
So how can we faithfully respond to what God is doing? Well Pastor Joshua gave a very good application in his message last Sunday. It starts with hospitality. Saying “hello,” especially to newcomers and/or strangers, and being intentional about getting to know them is a good place to start. If we only say hello and converse with the people we know, Jesus clearly says, “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” Jesus was talking about loving our enemies in this passage and while everyone was His enemy because of sin, He first came down to be with and live among them. He crossed all boundaries to be Immanuel, God with us.
Although we can’t cross all boundaries like Christ, we can start with crossing the generational boundaries. Be intentional in saying hello and conversing with someone from a different generation, even if it’s just one person a month. Talk to the same person each Sunday (or more) for the whole month. By the end of the year, that’s at least twelve new people you’ve gotten to know. Likewise, lay down any expectations or biases about one another. Poiema, Emerge, and Delta, don’t always wait or expect someone else to say “hello” first. We can approach others while being approachable at the same time. Millenials, Gen X, and Boomers (with complete respect), be humble and open to learning something from the younger generations, even if it’s slang like “performative” or “6-7.” Furthermore, ask questions and try to go beyond the small talk even if it may feel awkward at first. Listen and try to remember at least one thing about the person on top of their name (I confess that I have trouble remembering names and apologize in advance if I ask you more than once for it!). But also share about yourself. Being hospitable isn’t just an entry point into the Church and making disciples. It is discipleship. It’s my hope and prayer this year that COAH would not only keep growing, but also keep maturing into the headship of Christ by being faithful with all the small things God has entrusted to us.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Ron