A Hopeful Vision�for the Church

People often register�their subpar church ratings with Barna.

We long for a vision of a Thriving Church.

Three �Hopeful�Trends

Belief in Jesus �is rising!

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Steady, Multi-Year Increase in Commitment to Jesus

n=126,450 interviews with U.S. adults between 2000 and February 2025.

% of U.S. Adults Who Say…

“I have made a personal commitment to follow Jesus that is still important in my life today”

I have made a personal commitment to follow Jesus that is still important in my life today

Who is Behind

the Surge?

Young People—Especially Men—Are Leading the Shift

n=32,302 interviews with U.S. adults between 2019 and February 2025.

U.S. Adults say, “I have made a personal commitment to follow Jesus that is still important in my life today”

Growing Percent of Non-Christians Have Committed to Christ

n=126,450 interviews with U.S. adults between 2000 and February 2025.

% of non-Christian U.S. adults who say…

“I have made a personal commitment to follow Jesus that is still important in my life today”

We’ve Been Seeing

the Signs of This Coming

Widespread Media May Be Influencing Public Sentiment Toward Jesus

Most people care

about their own faith story.

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How We Feel About Our “Faith Story”

Still think about a person’s faith story. Thinking about this, to what extent would you agree or disagree with each of the following?

n=2,003 U.S. adults, Nov. 3-8, 2023, Engaging the Spiritually Open.

We Have Different Connections About Our Faith Story

% Agree Strongly

n=2,003 U.S. adults, Nov. 3-8, 2023, Engaging the Spiritually Open.

Thriving church leaders help to�redeem people’s backstories.��“Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” ��John 4:29

is an important way to have meaningful conversations with non-Christians.

Spiritual curiosity

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Certainty vs. Openness

Q: Between the following, which is more important to you personally?

n=1,501 U.S. adults, February 19-23, 2023.

The Broad Range of Spiritual Beliefs

n=1,501 U.S. adults, February 19-23, 2023.

The Broad Range of Spiritual Beliefs

n=1,501 U.S. adults, February 19-23, 2023.

What an absolutely

incredible time to be on mission with Jesus!

* This is an unpredictable moment of change��* People are a patchwork of religious ideas

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* Spiritual renewal is possible�

* Younger generations are leading the way

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Four �Cautionary�Trends

Young women

are increasingly and surprisingly churchless, unaffiliated and disengaged.

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n=2000 U.S. teens and young adults ages 13-24, August 23-30, 2023. Gen Z Vol. 3.

Female Young Adults Lead Among Gen Z “Nones”

% identify with no faith

Volunteerism at Church Has Dropped Most Significantly Among Women

n=3,291 U.S. adults, 2000. n=11,091 U.S. adults, 2024. Sample sizes are aggregates of all studies conducted in the given year.

% of U.S. adults who weekly…

Volunteerism at Non-Profits Has Dropped, Especially Among Women

n=3,291 U.S. adults, 2000. n=11,091 U.S. adults, 2024. Sample sizes are aggregates of all studies conducted in the given year.

% of U.S. adults who weekly…

Gen Z & Millennial Women Live a Different Story

n=3,291 U.S. adults, 2000. n=11,091 U.S. adults, 2024. Sample sizes are aggregates of all studies conducted in the given year.

• Greater importance on educational achievement
• Increased emphasis on career & professional advancement
• Romantic recession – changing dating attitudes & practices
• Declining priority, reliance on marriage
• Later-in-life marriage and childbearing, when it occurs
• Paid a heavy price in the pandemic, especially moms

Gen Z & Millennial Women and the Church

n=3,291 U.S. adults, 2000. n=11,091 U.S. adults, 2024. Sample sizes are aggregates of all studies conducted in the given year.

• Perceived gap in maturity among Christian men
• Connected, smart; don’t want to be your church’s free labor
• Are often the victims of abuse, so responding well is critical
• Want a coherent vision, language for the role of women
• Desire community and connection, not content from church
• Socially integrated with many trusted sources for wisdom

Mental well-being

is a major challenge to human flourishing, especially among younger generations.

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n=2,000 U.S. teens and young adults ages 13-24, August 23-30, 2023. Gen Z Vol. 3.

Shifting Gears to Young Adulthood is Hard for Gen Z

How often do you feel each of the following?

% always

Thriving church leaders�respond to the spirit of the age.��”For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” ��2 Timothy 1:7

Boomers

are increasingly and surprisingly churchless and unaffiliated.

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Churchgoing Has Declined Among Older Generations with a Recent Uptick

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n=126,450 interviews with U.S. adults between 2000 and February 2025.

The average churchgoer attends church X times per month

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Elders: 1.6

Gen X: 1.5

Boomers: 1.4��All U.S. Adults: 1.6

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they need to build leaders and contributors rather than spiritual consumers, but often struggle to do so.

Pastors realize

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Building Contributors

Please select all that apply.

n=508 U.S. Protestant pastors, July 25-Aug 13, 2019. Better Together.

Among Pastors

“It is becoming harder to find mature young believers who want to become pastors.”

n=388 U.S. Protestant senior pastors, April-December, 2015;

n=584 U.S. Protestant senior pastors, September 6-16, 2022, The Resilient Pastor Initiative.

“My church puts a significant priority on training and developing the next generation of church leaders.”

Available in Barna Access+

Making the Most of

This Moment

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

—MATTHEW 9:36–38 NLT

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The Church offers a grace-filled message of hope in Jesus.

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Instill Confidence in�the Gospel with Everyday Christians.

What’s Not Happening: Evangelistic Energy is Flat

n=126,450 interviews with U.S. adults between 2000 and February 2025.

% of U.S. Adults Who Agree Strongly That…

“I have a personal responsibility to tell others about my religious beliefs”

All U.S. Adults

All Christians

Inner peace is a new apologetic.

When you consider your spiritual beliefs, what would you say you are looking for?

n=2,005 U.S. adults and teenagers (aged 13-17), December 13 – 22, 2022. The Spiritually Open Initiative.

Top six responses shown.

In an era of isolation and loneliness, the Church offers essential community.

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n=4,063 U.S. churchgoing adults, March 18-27, 2024, Discipleship in Community.

Churchgoers in a Strong Discipleship Community Are…

n=4,063 U.S. churchgoing adults, March 18-27, 2024, Discipleship in Community.

Churchgoers with all three relationships are in:

• Small Groups that make them feel that they belong and are like family.
• Households that pray together and care about each other’s faith and spiritual well-being.
• Mentorships that make them a better person and invest in their success.

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In an era of tech-enabled personalization, the Church offers a place to be known and to find purpose.

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Let’s Help More People See the “Masterpiece” They Are

How well would you say you know or understand your own giftings, abilities or skills?

n=1,504 U.S. adults and n=1,374 U.S. practicing Christian adults, June 16-July 6, 2020.

Gifted for More.

Have you taken an assessment, inventory or test that was designed to help you better understand your giftings, abilities or skills?

Thriving church leaders�know & catalyze people’s gifts.��”I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.” ��2 Timothy 1:5-6

We belong to Jesus.��We belong to each other.��Our gifts belong to the world.

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Where is God Calling You to a Bigger Vision�of the Church?