The Gen Z Push Towards High-Church Christianity

In recent years, there has been a so-called “Third Great Awakening” in Generation Z, characterized by ever-increasing numbers in church attendance and a drop in alcohol sales that has cost major producers in the industry upwards of $830 billion in market value. According to the Barna Group, the average Zoomer attends church 1.9 times a month, as opposed to the average Boomer’s 1.4 times (Barna State of the Church, 2026). These are all positive things for young people; however, only time will tell if this remains into the foreseeable future or becomes just another trend of the 2020s. Recent events, such as the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the escalation of major geopolitical conflicts around the world, have left Generation Z with a lot of uncertainty and questions. Whether these are about the economy, government, or society, Gen Z has begun to look for new role models and leaders to follow. This is where church comes in. An important aspect of its attractiveness is church events being scheduled, organized, and smoothly run by mature deacons and pastors who make easy role models for Generation Z.

Throughout history, there have been many significant challenges to church doctrine and resulting schisms, from the Great Schism of 1054, through to the Protestant Reformation and, as of late, though it may not be a schism, the American megachurch movement. Megachurches and American consumerism tend to walk hand in hand with each other, appealing to the masses by offering watered-down versions of the prosperity gospel that are appealing to new believers. A lot of churches describe themselves as being “seeker sensitive,” meaning they focus on welcoming in brand-new believers, or “baby Christians,” and attempt to water down their theology, worship, and view of the sacraments to fit a worldview that is more appealing to Americans. While these churches are doing good insofar as they bring a lot of people to the Christian faith, issues arise whenever sermons become more akin to TED Talks or motivational speeches, relying less and less on Scripture and more and more on personal anecdote and statements that are meant to invoke feelings from the audience. The megachurch experience is based on how one feels after they leave; therefore, the worship, doctrine, and preaching, while still mainly being Trinitarian and affirming basic Christian beliefs, leave the seasoned believer wanting more out of church.

The demographic that has most felt the effects of this is younger Generation Z men. I, as well as many of my friends, have begun inquiring into more traditional churches, specifically high church Protestantism. Young men have required structure, masculine role models, and repetition since their creation, and the traditional church offers this much more succinctly than differing evangelical churches. While many young adults will still hold a very ecumenical view on the church, the more radical among us will become “Orthobros (Eastern Orthodox)” or “Tradcaths (Traditional Roman Catholics),” who profess anyone not catechized within their rite to be anathema and heretical. A good amount of young men inquire into Reformed theology, especially the doctrines and confessions on predestination, baptismal regeneration, the Eucharist, and corporate worship, because of the way they are wired. Whenever church becomes more structured, less centered on feelings or experience, and more centered on sacrificial worship and the giving of yourself to the Lord, one finds it easier to stick around that church week to week and catechize within it. A deep sense of community is fostered within these churches, and the steadfast love of Christ has the spotlight. Theologically rich hymns are sung by entire congregations, Communion is received with great importance, and baptism is administered in a very reverent way. This, of course, is very appealing for a young man who has a lot of passion for Christ and is not seeing it realized in larger evangelical churches.

However, we must remember that the evangelical movement has been one of the most important aspects of Christianity in the United States and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. While strong believers should continue to call out dangerous beliefs in large churches, we should all be extremely gracious and accepting to new Christians, and realize that not everybody will be inclined to walk in their faith the exact same way and may be content worshiping Christ without having the same thirst for theological knowledge. As I continue to hope and pray that I will see church attendance numbers constantly on the rise, I also pray for the ability to stand firm in my faith while simultaneously being kindhearted and humble, and urge all believers to do the same.

– Jonas Lawrence