Barna: Churches Embrace Tech but Wary of AI; Revival Signals with Gen Z/Catholic/LDS Upticks
Key Questions
What percentage of US churches view digital tools positively for ministry?
95% of US churches see digital tools as boosting ministry. Larger churches and megachurches are excelling in these shifts.
How are churches approaching AI technology?
Churches are wary of AI but embracing it through workshops on prompting for ethics and efficiency. An event titled 'You’re Invited: AI & Prompting – Empowering the Church for Today and Tomorrow' is scheduled for May 1 on Zoom.
What does Barna research say about Gen Z and revival?
Barna reports that 38% of Gen Z expect revival. This aligns with Gen Z packing churches instead of leaving them, as covered in related articles.
Has church attendance among under-30s increased?
Gallup data shows under-30 attendance rising from 19% to 25%. Young adult attendance is growing, with Gen Z returning to church despite broader declining religion trends.
What growth is occurring in Catholic churches?
Catholic churches saw 180k converts in 2025, a 20-year high, with records in OKC (635 to 1k), Newark, Boston, WI, MD, and UMD. Easter surges among young men and initiations are notable, as in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's highest growth in over 15 years.
How has the LDS Church grown recently?
The LDS Church reported 385k baptisms, up 25%, and its highest convert growth in history. Worldwide membership passed 17.88 million in 2025.
What broader trends signal church revival?
Baptisms and Alpha courses are increasing, while 'nones' are plateauing. Protestant giving is up 55% year-over-year, driven by digital surges.
Why is Gen Z attending church more?
Contrary to expectations of leaving, Gen Z is packing churches, with 38% expecting revival per Barna. Factors include surges in Catholic and LDS growth, and young adults seeking meaning amid cultural shifts.
95% US churches see digital tools boosting ministry; larger ones excel Gen Z/megachurch shifts; AI prompting workshops emerging for ethics/efficiency. Revival: Gen Z 38% expect (Barna), under-30 attendance 19→25% (Gallup), packing Catholic churches (180k converts 2025 20yr high, OKC 635→1k/Newark/Boston/WI/MD/UMD records, young men Easter surges); LDS 385k baptisms (+25%); baptisms/Alpha up, nones plateau; Protestants giving 55% YoY/digital surges.