Gen Z Trends Back
Gen Z Trends Back
I’m a millennial through and through, which means I was born between 1981 and 1996. I caught the tail end of the seeker-sensitive movement in the church, which led Christians to abandon traditional denominations and what that entails. When I was in college, the apologetics movement was in full swing. Influential figures like William Lane Craig, Ravi Zacharias, Tim Keller, Greg Koukl, and others did great work to combat the so-called New Atheists. The New Atheists were a group that gained prominence after 9/11. Its leading figures, also known as the Four Horsemen, were Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens. This movement is very much passé and has mostly died out.
Around this same time, the evangelical world witnessed another movement: the Young, Reformed, and Restless movement (also known as the New Calvinist), featuring figures like John Piper, Mark Driscoll, Matt Chandler, R.C. Sproul, and John MacArthur. I never participated in this movement because the first 8-10 years of my Christian life were spent in the hyper-charismatic movement. That’s a story for another day.
While the remnants of these movements still linger in certain circles within the evangelical world (for example, the link I’m sharing has to do with a well known apologist), they have largely lost their original momentum.
While the data presents a mixed picture, there’s a fascinating trend emerging among Generation Z (1997-2012)—they show a growing interest in church attendance, especially among young men. They’re not just looking for any church, but are particularly drawn to conservative, traditional, and theologically rich congregations. Many in this age group seek a sense of historical rootedness and a depth that can often be missing in many evangelical churches across America. Those who haven’t kept up with the latest trends may be surprised that evidence suggests Generation Z is gravitating back towards the traditional worship styles that Baby Boomers and Generation X once sought to move away from, believing they were too churchy.
This generation deeply longs for an ancient faith that is historically grounded, theologically rich, and marked by clear and meaningful distinctions. Nevertheless, too many individuals are enthusiastic about the church embracing new approaches and methods, as if what has been effective for the past 2000 years is now somehow lacking.
I look forward to what God will do with this next generation of leaders.
In the meantime, enjoy this short video that claims Joe Rogan goes to church.
https://notthebee.com/article/wesley-huff-i-can-tell-you-for-a-fact-joe-rogan-is-attending-a-church
-Pastor Logan Nyquist
May 21, 2025
I’m a millennial through and through, which means I was born between 1981 and 1996. I caught the tail end of the seeker-sensitive movement in the church, which led Christians to abandon traditional denominations and what that entails. When I was in college, the apologetics movement was in full swing. Influential figures like William Lane Craig, Ravi Zacharias, Tim Keller, Greg Koukl, and others did great work to combat the so-called New Atheists. The New Atheists were a group that gained prominence after 9/11. Its leading figures, also known as the Four Horsemen, were Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens. This movement is very much passé and has mostly died out.
Around this same time, the evangelical world witnessed another movement: the Young, Reformed, and Restless movement (also known as the New Calvinist), featuring figures like John Piper, Mark Driscoll, Matt Chandler, R.C. Sproul, and John MacArthur. I never participated in this movement because the first 8-10 years of my Christian life were spent in the hyper-charismatic movement. That’s a story for another day.
While the remnants of these movements still linger in certain circles within the evangelical world (for example, the link I’m sharing has to do with a well known apologist), they have largely lost their original momentum.
While the data presents a mixed picture, there’s a fascinating trend emerging among Generation Z (1997-2012)—they show a growing interest in church attendance, especially among young men. They’re not just looking for any church, but are particularly drawn to conservative, traditional, and theologically rich congregations. Many in this age group seek a sense of historical rootedness and a depth that can often be missing in many evangelical churches across America. Those who haven’t kept up with the latest trends may be surprised that evidence suggests Generation Z is gravitating back towards the traditional worship styles that Baby Boomers and Generation X once sought to move away from, believing they were too churchy.
This generation deeply longs for an ancient faith that is historically grounded, theologically rich, and marked by clear and meaningful distinctions. Nevertheless, too many individuals are enthusiastic about the church embracing new approaches and methods, as if what has been effective for the past 2000 years is now somehow lacking.
I look forward to what God will do with this next generation of leaders.
In the meantime, enjoy this short video that claims Joe Rogan goes to church.
https://notthebee.com/article/wesley-huff-i-can-tell-you-for-a-fact-joe-rogan-is-attending-a-church
-Pastor Logan Nyquist
May 21, 2025
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