6 Trends

1. Only 20% of Americans now attend church weekly, down sharply from 32% in 2000 — a continuation of a two-decade-long decline in regular church engagement.

2. A striking 57% of Americans say they seldom or never attend church, a significant increase from just 13% who seldom or never attended in 2000. 

3. 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.

4. Millennials (born 1984–1995) and Gen Z (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 purpose. So, while the overall number of Americans attending church declines, there is a slight uptick among Millennials and Gen Z.

5. Average attrition (people leaving your church) hovers around 10–15% annually. This includes moves, life transitions, disengagement, or deaths.

6. Post-pandemic recovery is uneven. While a few churches have exceeded their pre-2020 attendance, most are operating at roughly 85% of their pre-COVID numbers. 
 

6 Responses

1. Don’t Panic—But Do Pivot. 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. 

2. Reengage the Marginalized Majority. With 57% of Americans seldom or never attending church, the mission field isn’t just across the ocean — it’s across the street. Relational evangelism, hospitality, and community service are bridges back to Gospel conversations.

3. Millennials and Gen Z are not lost causes. The uptick in Millennial and Gen Z attendance is 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.

4. 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 pathways (like service teams or Bible classes) help anchor people in the church’s life.

5. Celebrate Wins — Even Small Ones. While some churches are not back to pre-pandemic attendance, faithfulness matters more than fullness. Celebrate every story of life change, baptism, return, or recommitment. These testimonies build momentum and encourage the church.

6. Evaluate, Don’t Just Maintain. These trends urge churches to regularly evaluate what’s making kingdom impact and what’s just tradition. Is your structure flexible enough to reach new generations? Are your leaders being developed? Are your resources aligned with your mission?

This article was written by state missionary Rob Jackson.