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Church observers and sociologists are detecting early signs of religious revival in America. While some evidence is anecdotal, objective data suggests a spiritual stirring within America’s majority Christian community. If the trends hold, cultural change is afoot.
For example, church attendance, particularly among young men—the group least likely to attend in recent decades—is rising in the United States and in England. Additionally, the percentage of Americans identifying as religiously unaffiliated (so-called “nones”) has stopped rising.
After noticing news stories and X posts, this column asked Grok, an AI connected to X, about signs of a religious revival. Its response was cautiously optimistic:
“There is mixed evidence of growing Christian commitment in America and England. Some indicators suggest a resurgence, particularly among younger demographics, while others point to stabilization of decline. Key metrics include church attendance, Bible sales, religious movie engagement, and signs of a spiritual awakening.”
Despite the challenges in quantifying religious belief and behavior, as well as the impact of COVID on attendance, notable trends include:
◗ Church attendance. U.S. attendance has declined over decades, with Gallup’s 2024 poll showing 30% of Americans attending regularly, down from 47% in 1999. However, a 2025 Pew Research Center study indicates stabilization, with 33% attending in-person monthly and 23% participating virtually. Millennials and Gen Z show notable increases, with the Barna Group’s 2025 report noting a 12-point rise in personal commitment to Jesus Christ since 2021. A 2023 Barna study found 39% of millennials attend weekly, up from 21% in 2019.
◗ Church growth. Non-denominational churches grew by 6.5 million attendees from 2010 to 2020, per the U.S. Religion Census. Pentecostal and charismatic congregations are also expanding, though mainline Protestant denominations continue to shrink. Pew’s 2023 data shows in-person attendance slightly down (3 percentage points) from 2019, but virtual participation keeps overall engagement steady at 40%.
◗ England’s “Quiet Revival”. The Bible Society’s 2024 YouGov report notes UK church attendance rose from 8% to 12% overall. Among 18- to 24-year-olds, attendance quadrupled, from 4% to 16%, and among 25- to 34-year-olds, it climbed from 4% to 13%.
◗ Bible engagement. The American Bible Society’s 2024 report found Bible users (those reading Scripture at least three times yearly) rose from 38% to 41%, adding 10 million users. Millennials led with a 29% increase, and men’s Bible use rose 19%, narrowing the gender gap. The YouVersion Bible app saw spikes in searches tied to shows like “The Chosen,” indicating cultural products drive Scripture engagement. Barna’s 2020 data shows weekly Bible reading among committed Christians has held steady since 1993, despite broader declines in religiosity.
◗ Faith-based media. Shows like “The Chosen” and “House of David” are gaining traction. The American Bible Society’s John Plake notes these productions boost Bible app searches and personal spiritual explorations. Their popularity reflects growing interest, particularly among millennials and Gen Z, aligning with Barna’s findings of increased spiritual curiosity.
Millennial and Gen Z engagement and non-denominational church growth suggest an awakening, especially among young men, who are now more religious than women, per a 2024 report. Springtide Research Institute found a third of 18- to 25-year-olds believe in God, up from a quarter in 2021.
Unlike past Great Awakenings in America (e.g., 1730s, 1858), driven by evangelical preaching and new denominations, today’s trends are more fragmented. While promising, the scope and resilience of change remain uncertain. But if the trends are confirmed, major societal change is upon us as in prior revivals that led to the founding of America and the abolition of slavery.•
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Smith is chairman of the Indiana Family Institute and author of “Deicide: Why Eliminating
The Deity is Destroying America.” Send comments to [email protected].
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