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For years, we’ve seen the same headlines: Church attendance is shrinking, faith communities are fading, and the next generation isn’t interested. The constant drumbeat of decline has impacted the hearts of pastors, leaders, and church members alike.
But here’s the thing: that narrative is no longer the whole truth.
As new data surfaces, a fresh wave of optimism is building. Recent studies point to something many didn’t expect: Younger generations are showing up. Attendance is ticking upward. And technology is opening new doors for churches to reach and disciple people like never before.
The question is no longer, “Is the Church dying?” The real question is, “Are we ready for what’s next?”
While a decade of studies show a dip in overall church attendance, recent Pew Research findings suggest a potential stabilization, or even a reversal, of this trend.
Barna’s 2025 State of the Church reports a similar trend, with 32% of U.S. adults attending church each week, up from 28% in 2023. This is the most attendance in the last seven years!
After so many years of decline, recognizing shifts within the landscape offers a renewed sense of possibility for the future of a resurgent Church.
Contrary to popular belief, younger generations are not abandoning the Church. The data indicates an increase in both giving and attendance among this demographic.
According to Barna, in 2025 both Gen Z and Millennials are attending church more frequently than older generations. This comes as no surprise as Millennial church attendance grew from 21% to 39% between 2019 and 2022. That’s a massive shift and driven in large part by a desire for a hybrid church experience (both digital and in-person.)
Younger generations crave authenticity and purpose, qualities the Church has always provided. They also have a digital-first mindset and are more likely to engage with churches that have a strong online presence.
It’s ironic that as technology makes connecting with people easier than ever, our society has become increasingly isolated. As a result, the desire for genuine connection is deeper than ever.
The Church offers a unique space for building authentic community, fostering relationships, and finding belonging. This fundamental human need is a powerful driver for church growth.
As the Church, how are we driving an engaged community focused on discipleship vs. passive attendees? You can do more with 12 committed people than a thousand passive bystanders.
Further, the Back to the Bible study revealed the power of getting people into scripture at least 4 days each week drives a multitude of positive benefits including reducing loneliness, depression, and addiction.
Community is key, but community with a purpose to know God and love others is life-changing.
The pandemic accelerated the adoption of technology within churches, proving its potential as a powerful tool for outreach and engagement. From live streaming services to online giving platforms, technology enables churches to connect with broader audiences and deepen relationships with existing members.
Move people away from the “rented” spaces of social media and drive them to your church’s “owned” spaces. This allows your website and custom app to increase relevant connections points.
When the Church uses technology as a tool for engagement, they see a tremendous increase in sermon plays, group conversations, Bible reading, and giving.
Today’s resurgent Church has a unique opportunity to address the spiritual and relational needs of a world grappling with uncertainty and loneliness.
By embracing innovation, fostering authentic community, and leveraging technology, leaders can position themselves for significant church growth, but more importantly, we can reach more people with the Gospel and increase authentic discipleship.
Four key takeaways
Let’s embrace the opportunities before us and build a church that is relevant, engaged, and transformative. The gospel message remains the same, but the mediums for connection have changed.
If your church is ready to lean into this resurgence, here are five practical steps you can take right now. Each of these is powered by Subsplash—the church technology platform trusted by over 20,000 churches and organizations to better engage their communities and drive sustainable growth.
1. Centralize your digital presence with a custom app
Bring all your content, events, and resources into one place that looks, sounds, and feels like your church. A custom church app by Subsplash makes it easy for your community to stay connected throughout the week, not just on Sundays.
2. Use the power of media to extend your reach
Use Subsplash Media to share discipleship resources, such as sermons, podcasts, and Bible studies on-demand. People are consuming content on their own time—meet them there. High-quality, accessible media is key to fostering deeper engagement and discipleship.
3. Simplify giving with digital tools
Since its earliest days, the Church has been fueled by generosity. Make giving easy and secure for your donors with Subsplash Giving. Empower your community to support your mission by removing barriers to online or in person.
4. Create meaningful connection points
Subsplash Messaging and group features build authentic community beyond Sunday services. People are looking for spaces to belong—digital tools like these help nurture those relationships and make it easier to plug in.
5. Drive engagement to your “owned” platforms
Instead of relying solely on social media algorithms, invite your community to engage on platforms you control—like your church website and mobile app. The Subsplash Platform helps you build an ecosystem where your community can explore content, give, and connect without the noise of social media.
By taking these steps, your church can create an environment that fosters real connection, authentic discipleship, and sustainable growth—all while embracing the digital tools people are already using every day.
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