For many of us, childhood weekends began with the loud sounds of gospel music and the familiar routines of our grandmothers or other maternal figures getting ready for church. Before waking us up, they’d already ironed our clothes, prepared a hot meal, and set out the tools to crimp or hot comb our hair—all in preparation for Sunday service. While those may be some of our earliest and most cherished memories, something has shifted over the years.
As we step into adulthood, research shows that many young adults are moving away from the traditions and practices of Christianity. Instead, they’re forging new spiritual paths, exploring beliefs and rituals outside of the church. According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, which surveyed over 35,000 Americans, only 45% of 18–29-year-olds identified as Christian. Nearly the same percentage reported no religious affiliation at all. In contrast, more than 70% of adults aged 50 and older identified as Christian.
While some data points to a steady decline in church attendance among young adults, Garelle K. Solomon, lead pastor of The Excelling Church in Freeport, NY, offers a different perspective. He believes young adults aren’t necessarily walking away from God—they’re distancing themselves from what he calls the “Black church stigma.” As Solomon describes it, this stigma includes a mentality rooted in harmful hierarchies, idolization of leadership, and outdated practices. It reflects a system where control and harm can go unchecked, prompting many young people to seek healthier spiritual spaces.
“Are they leaving God? No,” Solomon tells GU. “I actually believe that the millennial church—or millennials—do want God. They just do not want the church that we have somehow built and put the name God on.”
For many, the decision to step away from traditional Christianity stems from toxic experiences growing up. Solomon explains that witnessing hypocrisy, judgment, and a lack of inclusivity in churches has driven many to denounce certain practices and seek alternative forms of spirituality. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in this shift. With in-person services restricted, virtual attendance skyrocketed. Today, 15% of U.S. adults say they watch religious services online or on TV more often than they did before the pandemic.
While Pastor Solomon still values gathering in person, he acknowledges that church can be just as impactful beyond its physical walls.
“I do also realize that over the course of time—especially after the pandemic—we’ve watched where a physical building, brick and mortar, has lost its effect,” he says. “It was in that moment that we began—not just millennials, but the world—to discover that there’s another way to worship God and come together, and it’s virtual.”
With many young adults turning away from traditional Christian church practices, there has also been a noticeable rise in interest in other spiritual or higher-power rituals. In another Pew Research Center study conducted in 2023, 22% of Americans identified as “spiritual but not religious,” meaning they consider themselves spiritual, but do not engage with religion or see it as important in their lives. Among those, 58% were under the age of 50, with 21% between 18 and 29 years old. As a result, many young people are embracing practices like burning sage, reading tarot cards, yoga, mindfulness, and other holistic methods that, “feel more welcoming and inclusive than some traditional churches,” Solomon adds.
What’s the remedy for declining church attendance among young adults? Solomon believes the solution is straightforward: real conversation and a more inclusive church experience. While Bible study is important, it needs to be paired with dialogue that resonates—conversations that connect faith to current issues like politics, pop culture, and social justice.
“When young adults come to church, they’re looking for community and a space where they won’t be judged,” says Solomon.
Above all, he believes churches need to get back to the basics—leading with love.
“[We have to be] very intentional about making sure that all we are after is the soul, the heart,” Solomon says. “To do that, you must stay informed about what’s happening in the world and understand what young people truly need. Ask them. Listen.”