Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Why are Gen Z returning to the Church?
The Catholic Herald ^ | Dec 3, 2025 | Tom Colsy

Posted on 12/03/2025 1:40:26 PM PST by CondoleezzaProtege

High-profile conversions from figures like Shia LeBeouf, Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Russell Brand followed by findings--church attendance picking up has led to stunned reaction from the commentariat press.

In Britain, for example, Pentecostalism and Catholicism have been found to have reversed decades of decline and grown remarkably from 2018 to 2025 – drawing intrigue from the likes of the Guardian and Reuters.

In France, since 2020, the bishops’ conference (typically assiduous in collecting and releasing data) have confirmed consistently remarkable and accelerating year-on-year increases in the number of adult converts they are drawing in and baptising – many from irreligion and Islam...

It is easy to see why talk of revival has gathered pace. But that is not the full picture. Something important keeps getting buried in the noise: this is not a universal Christian revival. It is a highly selective one. Some parts of the Christian world are flourishing, others are still shrinking.

If the likes of Catholicism and Pentecostalism are witnessing growth and displaying signs of life, we might ask: why?

For the charismatic Protestants, their greatest strength is their zeal and insistence on a “personal relationship with Jesus”. Unlike the sleepier, liberal mainline Protestant world that – in its eagerness to embrace and tolerate all – is often unwilling to assert Christ as more important than Muhammad...these charismatic movements instead treat prayer, spiritual reading and intimacy as foundational...

If Charismatic zeal can account for their growth (combined with emotionally-charged worship songs and concerts) then doctrinal, historical, theological certainty and the supernatural sacramental enchantment of the Catholic world can explain theirs.

If young people, feeling adrift in a chaotic and disordered world, are looking for clarity and solidity – then in Catholicism they can find it.

(Excerpt) Read more at thecatholicherald.com ...


TOPICS: Catholic; Charismatic Christian; Evangelical Christian; Ministry/Outreach
KEYWORDS: catholic; charismatic; genz; millennials; pentecostal; revival

1 posted on 12/03/2025 1:40:26 PM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: CondoleezzaProtege

Praise God


2 posted on 12/03/2025 1:53:21 PM PST by bray (It's not racist to be racist against races the DNC hates.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bray

they want their own personal Jesus,

Someone to hear their prayers

Someone who cares

Their own personal Jesus

Someone who’s there.

Feeling unknown
And they’re all alone
Flesh and bone
By the telephone
Lift up the receiver
He’ll make you a believer

Take second best
Put me to the test
Things on your chest
You need to confess

I will deliver,
You know I’m a forgiver
Reach out, touch faith
Reach out, touch faith

Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who cares
Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who’s there

Reach out, touch faith
Your own personal Jesus
Reach out, touch faith
Reach out, touch faith
Reach out, touch faith
(Reach out, reach out)
Reach out, touch faith
Reach out and touch faith


3 posted on 12/03/2025 2:29:41 PM PST by algore
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: CondoleezzaProtege

Most worthwhile thing I have read today. Thank you.


4 posted on 12/03/2025 2:37:42 PM PST by georgia peach (georgia peach)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: algore

I Knew it....
Wine and free Cookies!


5 posted on 12/03/2025 2:51:45 PM PST by Big Red Badger (ALL Things Will be Revealed !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: bray

Gen Z wants to return to real churches too - not the crappie boomer grab a guitar and be a liberal jerk type ‘church’....


6 posted on 12/03/2025 2:54:28 PM PST by GOPJ (Soros & democrats back criminals, dope dealers, illegals & terrorists. <P><I><B><big><center></B>)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: CondoleezzaProtege

It’s not going to them them any good if they are going to a religion that teaches a false gospel.


7 posted on 12/03/2025 3:28:56 PM PST by Old Yeller
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CondoleezzaProtege

To be seen by upstanding citizens in the community. Look at me, I’m going to the same church as you.


8 posted on 12/03/2025 3:31:31 PM PST by equaviator (Nobody's perfect. That's why they put pencils on erasers!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CondoleezzaProtege

Black 🌑Horse famine


9 posted on 12/03/2025 3:32:33 PM PST by Varsity Flight ( "War by 🙏 the prophesies set before you." ) I Timothy 1:18. Nazarite warriors. 10.5.6.5 These Days)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GOPJ

Those are not Boomers. Those are Millenials. Many of the Boomers like the classics, including hymns. Also, remember, Boomers include a VERY wide age span.

Oh, and take your anti-Boomer sentiment and kindly shove it.


10 posted on 12/03/2025 3:44:09 PM PST by madison10 ("...the dark places of the earth are full of the haunts of cruelty." Psalm 74:20b [NKJV])
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Big Red Badger
Wine and free Cookies!

🤣

11 posted on 12/03/2025 4:12:47 PM PST by CondoleezzaProtege ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: GOPJ

Boomers!?!
Mostly old Hippie Jesus Freaks so
What ya Gonna do?
.
A ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN HEDONIST


12 posted on 12/03/2025 4:13:14 PM PST by Big Red Badger (ALL Things Will be Revealed !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: CondoleezzaProtege

I’ll be here all Week...
Try the Veal.


13 posted on 12/03/2025 4:14:14 PM PST by Big Red Badger (ALL Things Will be Revealed !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: CondoleezzaProtege

No cover charge...


14 posted on 12/03/2025 5:09:49 PM PST by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; not averse to Going Bronson.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CondoleezzaProtege

I hope more vocations to the priesthood follow. 🙏🏻


15 posted on 12/03/2025 5:30:32 PM PST by Bigg Red ( Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Old Yeller

If it gets some to crack open a Bible, God has promised His Word will not return to Him void.


16 posted on 12/03/2025 6:05:32 PM PST by sopo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: georgia peach
Most worthwhile thing I have read today. Thank you.

Oh I’m so glad. Much to be hopeful about indeed. God bless you.

17 posted on 12/03/2025 9:41:04 PM PST by CondoleezzaProtege ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: madison10

:: Those are Millenials. ::

Also mid-to-late generation Gen-X.

Much of this ‘migration’ depends on how the Boomer parents/grandparents instilled their faith.
I’m a late-generation Boomer that took my Millennial children and their Gen-y/Gen-z kids to church with us every Sunday.
And, it does help if you attend an historically orthodox Christian church.


18 posted on 12/04/2025 3:42:17 AM PST by Cletus.D.Yokel (The Democrats' official policy is now, “Hate, Violence and Murder". Change my mind.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson