Commentary: Think young adults don’t attend church? Think again

PJ Dunn

The narrative that young adults do not go to church is weakening.”

Fresh research says Gen Z and Millennials are now attending church more frequently than older adults, a reversal of decades of assumptions. The data points to a surge in participation among adults under 40, inviting us to reexamine our church growth and ministry strategies in light of this trend.

But our churches report often, “young adults are just too busy for church, if and when they even come.” So, what does this new data mean?

This is good news for churches in Georgia! Young adults want to attend your church more than any other current generation. It is also a nudge to form a culture of discipleship in our churches to reach and engage young adults.

In the language we use with churches across our state, the goal is not crowds but formation through real relationships, transformational teaching, intentional multiplication, and disciple-making environments. When those elements are present, younger generations do not just visit. They returned and brought friends.

What the data really says

The Baptist Press report summarizes insights from State of the Church research that identified a rise in frequency of attendance among Gen Z and Millennials compared to older adults. That trend lines up with other ministry indicators from the past year. Lifeway Research has noted that roughly half of congregations have experienced at least modest attendance growth since 2022. That does not erase national headwinds, but it does reveal a path forward for churches that lean into clear disciple-making practices.

Add one more piece that matters to formation. Bible engagement correlates with human flourishing, noting that greater personal engagement with Scripture is associated with higher flourishing scores. Pastors do not control everything about attendance, but we can shape a culture of disciple-making that advances the Gospel together in Georgia.

Why some churches don’t see more Gen Z and Millennials yet

If the headline is true, why does your congregation not feel younger on Sunday? Several common gaps surface as we connect with Georgia churches on culture of discipleship.

The environment is not clear.

• Young adults are not looking for a program. They want a path. In a healthy culture, groups are not just meetings. They are disciple-making environments where participants grow in Christlikeness, build real relationships, and multiply the mission. In those settings, people are noticed, named, and known. Without that clarity, younger adults struggle to see the next faithful step.

On ramps are not obvious.

• Launching groups from spreadsheets rarely works. Newcomers, especially those who feel alone, seldom raise their hands first. Create simple on ramps such as a group launch Sunday, lunch and learn moments after worship, or being a friend worth having. That is how real relationships begin.

Formation is not prioritized.

• When churches integrate Scripture into group life and personal rhythms, transformation accelerates. Research from the Center for Bible Engagement points to the impact of engaging Scripture at least four days a week will increase greater boldness in sharing faith and measurable reductions in destructive habits. The point is that the Spirit uses the Word to form people into the likeness of Christ.

Local context matters.

• Here in Georgia, our Annual Church Profile shows significant in-person weekly worship attendance and strong Bible study or small group participation with nearly 1.4 million Georgia Baptists. Use that context as encouragement to invest in your next faithful step rather than assume defeat.

How to respond with a formed disciple-making culture blueprint

So you are ready to connect with young adults since they are showing they want to connect with you more than other generations. How do we start? You need a blueprint, not a program, for making disciples.

Real Relationships.

• Move from counting people to knowing people. Start by training greeters and group leaders to practice a simple pathway that we champion across Georgia. Notice a new person, learn and use their name, then help them become known in a group. This is not marketing. It is shepherding. It echoes the heart of Jesus, who saw people and called them by name, and invites us to make disciples of all nations.

Transformational Teaching.

• Build a weekly pattern where Scripture is proclaimed in worship and discussed in groups, with intentionality. The flourishing research is clear. People who meaningfully engage the Bible are more likely to grow and to live out their faith.

Intentional Multiplication.

• Normalize simple practices that anyone can reproduce. Ask every group to identify an apprentice, pray for a new group, and send them in due time. Growth among younger adults will stall if there are no new places for them to belong and serve.

Disciple Making Environments.

• Clarify the layers of your pathway so people know where to go next. Large gatherings proclaim the Word. Small groups discuss the Word. Micro groups apply the Word with accountability. Each layer serves the same mission and moves people toward maturity in Christ. Use one consistent name for the small group layer so purpose remains clear.

A word to pastors and leaders

The narrative that young adults do not go to church is weakening. The data is more complicated and more hopeful. Some churches are seeing a resurgence of younger participation. Others are not, often because the pathway is cloudy or the ramps are missing. The moment calls for confidence in the gospel, steadiness in the mission, and practical steps that match what research and Scripture affirm. Create environments where people are formed, not just gather.

We can be honest about cultural challenges and still celebrate where God is at work. As the Surgeon General’s advisory reminds us, people are paying a heavy price for isolation, and they are more lonely than ever before. The local church is a community of hope, where the lonely find family, the skeptic hears good news, and the willing discover purpose in making disciples who make disciples.

Next step

Take ten minutes and assess your current reality. Complete this brief discipleship culture surveyand our team will be ready to walk alongside you with the results. With 7 million lost people in Georgia, we always need to be learning and growing in our efforts to advance the Gospel and make disciples. Georgia Baptist, you are not alone; we are here with you every step of the way.

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Dr. PJ Dunn is the regional discipleship consultant for North Georgia of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. He can be reached at pdunn@gabaptist.org.