The following is excerpted from an online article posted by Relevant
Gen Z churchgoers are actually the most engaged generation when it comes to attendance. They go to church more often than older adults, participate in small groups at the highest rates and are among the most likely to serve, evangelize and invest in spiritual growth.
The disconnect comes after Sunday.
Researchers found Gen Z is the generation least likely to say their faith consistently shapes the way they live throughout the week, raising questions about whether participation is translating into discipleship.
“My biggest concern for Gen Z is not that they are disconnected from the church,” said Chuck Peters, director of NextGen ministries at LifeWay. “Our research shows that Gen Z is deeply involved. The greater concern is that they are not being deeply formed.”
But despite all that activity, LifeWay found signs that faith often isn’t carrying over into everyday life.
More than half of Gen Z churchgoers (52%) said that when they have to choose between their own way and God’s way, they usually choose their own. Nearly half (43%) said reading and studying the Bible has not made a significant difference in how they live. More than a third (36%) admitted they don’t think about God throughout many of their daily activities.
In other words, Gen Z isn’t avoiding church; in fact, many are already there. The challenge for many pastors now is helping what happens on Sunday shape what happens the rest of the week.