While the world is consumed with “wars and rumors of wars,” our focus remains on the advancement of God’s Kingdom and the anticipation of His soon return.
Yet, until that final trumpet sounds, we must evaluate the spiritual health of the Church in America and consider how we should respond to current trends. Below are six key trends Gallup News is reporting and six ways we can faithfully respond:
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1. Only 20% of Americans attend church weekly, down from 32% in 2000 — a continuation of a two-decade-long decline in regular church engagement.
2. The number of U.S. adults identifying as “practicing Christians,” those who attend church regularly and say faith is essential to their lives, has dropped from 45% in 2020 to 20% in 2024.
3. A striking 57% of Americans say they seldom or never attend church, a significant increase from just 13% who rarely or never attended in 2000.
4. Millennials (born 1984–1995) and Gen Z (born 1996–2015) are bucking expectations. Millennials now report a 39% weekly church attendance rate, up significantly from 21% in 2019, surpassing Boomers for the first time. Gen Z is showing a growing interest in faith communities that offer authenticity, connection and a sense of purpose. So while the overall number of Americans attending church declines, there is a slight uptick among Millennials and Gen Z.
5. The average annual attrition rate (people leaving your church) hovers around 10–15%. This attrition includes moves, life transitions, disengagement or deaths.
6. Post-pandemic recovery is uneven. While a few churches have surpassed their pre-2020 attendance levels, many are operating at around 85% of their pre-COVID numbers.
How to respond
Here are some examples of how to respond.
— Don’t panic — pray and evangelize. The drop in overall attendance and practicing Christians is sobering, but it’s not a death sentence. It’s a wake-up call. The gospel still changes lives.
— Reengage the marginalized majority. With 57% of Americans seldom or never attending church, the missions field isn’t just across the ocean, it’s across the street. Relational evangelism, hospitality and community service are bridges back to gospel conversations.
— Millennials and gen Z are not lost causes. The uptick in attendance among Millennials and Gen Z is both surprising and encouraging. These generations crave authenticity, purpose and community. Churches focusing on the gospel, mentoring, authenticity, transparency and hands-on missions connect with them.
— Retention is discipleship. If a church expects to lose 10–15% of its people annually, it needs a clear plan for ongoing outreach and disciple-making. Small groups, one-on-one follow-ups and next-step membership pathways help anchor people in the church’s life.
— Celebrate wins, even small ones. While some churches are not yet back to pre-pandemic attendance levels, faithfulness matters more than fullness. Celebrate every story of life change, baptism, return or recommitment. These testimonies build momentum and encourage the church.
— Evaluate, don’t just maintain. These trends urge churches to regularly evaluate what makes a Kingdom impact and what is merely tradition.
Are you willing to set aside some of your cherished traditions to better reach your community for Christ?
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Rob Jackson, director of evangelism and church revitalization, Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.
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