A recent survey conducted by the Barna Group in partnership with Gloo has offered some intriguing insights into the current relationship between Americans and their churches. The report, released on March 13, indicates that most Americans do not buy into the idea that the church is becoming irrelevant. It surveyed 1,532 adults across the U.S. between February 4 and February 26, shedding light on social interaction patterns among different generations of churchgoers.
Delving into the numbers, the survey revealed that a significant 57% of participants spoke with clergy at some point during their visit to church, although this number varies with age groups. Millennials lead the pack, with 61% of them engaging in conversations with pastors, while that figure slightly drops to 57% for Gen X. Interestingly, only half of baby boomers and Gen Z respondents reported similar interactions.
Generational Differences in Engagement
When it comes to connecting with fellow church attendees, the generational gap widens even further. For baby boomers, a whopping 73% reported conversing with other congregants, compared to just 32% of Gen Z churchgoers. Millennials and Gen Xers find themselves in between, with nearly half (49%) and 56%, respectively, fostering conversations with other attendees.
It doesn’t stop there; 50% of those surveyed said they typically communicate with church staff members while at church. Again, the statistics show differences based on age, with millennials leading at 57%, while less than half of baby boomers, Gen Zers, and Gen X respondents reported doing the same. Furthermore, a third of participants noted they usually talked to church volunteers, particularly millennials (42%) compared to baby boomers (26%) and Gen X (25%).
Views on Church Relevancy
The survey also tackled the pressing question of relevance. Overall, a majority of adults reject the notion that church holds no relevance today. About 41% strongly disagreed with this statement while 24% somewhat disagreed. Among practicing Christians, an overwhelming 79% firmly opposed the idea that the church has lost its significance. In contrast, non-practicing Christians displayed a more divided opinion, with only 39% strongly disagreeing.
Also noteworthy is the sentiment among non-Christians, with 32% agreeing to some extent that church has become irrelevant. More strikingly, 26% definitely agree with this notion, while a significant minority (22%) believes that even God has lost relevance in today’s society.
Attendance Patterns Over Time
Turning to church attendance, the report highlights a gradual decline over the last two decades. Attendance was at its peak in 2009, where 48% of U.S. adults engaged in weekly church services. By 2024, that number had shrunk to 28%, though there are signs of a potential rebound, with preliminary data from 2025 suggesting an increase to approximately 32%.
Interestingly, the report indicates that men have been attending church at higher rates than women since 2022, a notable reversal from the previous years where women attended more frequently. In 2024, 30% of men went to church weekly compared to only 27% of women, and the trend appears to be continuing in 2025 with 40% of men attending versus 28% of women.
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