The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast CNLP 777 | 2026 Disruptive Church Trends: Gen Z Leading Church Attendance Surge, Women Exiting Faith, + The Impact of Discipleship By Algorithm
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Jan 6, 2026 Discover the seven disruptive church trends shaping the future. Gen Z is leading a resurgence in church attendance, while women are increasingly leaving the faith. Bold new evangelism tactics, including social media and campus movements, are emerging. Intriguingly, algorithm-driven discipleship is creating polarization and complicating pastoral leadership. With aging pastors facing recruitment challenges, the church must also prepare for AI's looming impact on society. Buckle up for an insightful exploration of faith in a rapidly changing world!
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Revival Signals Amid A Larger Decline
- Barna data shows Bible sales, spiritual app downloads, and music streams rose while overall Christianity's importance declined.
- Many who identify as Christian are non-practicing, creating a discipleship crisis Carey calls urgent.
Gen Z Driving Attendance Surge
- Gen Z now attend church more frequently than older generations, nearly doubling attendance since 2021.
- Their return often reflects seeking an alternative to culture, not merely cultural echoing.
Gender Split: Men In, Women Exiting
- Young men are increasingly attending while many young women are spiritually disengaging across prayer, Bible reading, and church.
- Possible drivers include partisan swings, leadership access, and fallout from scandals, prompting further research.