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On The Rise: The most frequent church attenders are—Gen Z???
Published about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Welcome to the On The Rise newsletter, where I feature fascinating, helpful, and sometimes curious content that caught my attention this week.
Today, we're looking at how Gen Z have now become the most frequent church attenders, as Boomers fade away from Sunday services.
Add to that the rise of “job hugging” in an age of unemployment, a surprising approach to recovering from moral failure, and yes—even lessons from the humble pizza tracker.
Gen Z is Attending Church More Often than Older Generations
While that might still be shy of what most pastors dream of, they’re leading the way—attending more often than Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Elders.
The big story coming out of COVID a few years ago was the non-return of the Boomers, and that slide continues. Part of it is likely health challenges as Boomers move into their late 60s, 70s, and next year, their 80s.
But I’m guessing the death of consumer Christianity has something to do with the decline in church attendance in older demographics, too.
As the new Barna data suggests, the future of the church truly is next gen.
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Quiet Quitting is Over…The New Trend is “Job Hugging”
People really want to keep their jobs.
By now, you’ve heard of big layoffs in tech thanks to AI and the difficulty summer students and college grads are having getting jobs (again, thanks to AI).
The result is a new trend called job hugging. Basically, holding tight to your current job because getting a new one is going to be tough.
Just like the real estate market has flipped from being a seller’s market to a buyer’s market, the job market seems to be flipping too.
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I recently recommended Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald. This is his follow-up. The follow-up happened after Gordon had an affair, resigned from ministry, and rebuilt his marriage and his life.
Scandals abound today, unfortunately. But if you want to see how someone can repent, rebuild, and come back with integrity, humility, and submission, this is a fantastic book.
In 2009, Domino's was a laughing stock…bad pizza, declining sales.
So a new CEO came in and started an ad campaign admitting ‘we suck’ and committed to transparency on the turnaround.
They also added a pizza tracker so you could see where your pizza was in its journey from dough to your door.
If you’re trying to turn something around, this article makes a great case study. Honesty is a great place to start, too.
Cheering for you,
Weekend Watching
Megan Fate Marshman
Megan Fate Marshman is an incredibly compelling preacher who speaks in many of the largest churches in America.
She shares how her preaching has evolved since she started, what she does right before preaching to create better sermons and connections, and how to use your body and voice to draw people in and communicate more effectively.
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Don’t settle for an impact smaller than you’re called to make. It's time to unlock your potential and lead confidently into a future filled with growth — for yourself, your church, and your mission. Get access to some of my best leadership content, only published in my newsletters.