As someone who is part of Generation Z, it is safe to say that many of us are turning to Christianity more each day. Speaking from personal experience, I, myself, just started going back to church more regularly, after a long time of not attending. To preface, I was born and raised Catholic. Growing up, I went to a Catholic school. I was always very proud of my religion, and it felt good to have a faith to believe in. My great uncle was also a priest. I truly believe he is the reason why my family and I are more devoted to our faith. For me, the church was a safe space, rather than something that felt forced on me.
I was always engaged in the lessons in school, and during the masses as well. I made it a point to go to confession as a way to cleanse myself from sin, and after I came out, I felt much better. For me the power of prayer was and still is real. After a prayer session, whatever was weighing heavy on my mind was put at ease. My faith was always something that kept me grounded, especially during the hardest of times. Fast forward to my early 20’s, I wouldn’t say I stopped believing or caring, but I definitely did not make my faith a priority. I was not going to church, I barely prayed, and I lost that connection I once had.
There was a global pandemic, sickness, and life changing events which completely altered the way I prioritized aspects of my life. Unfortunately, my faith and going to church was not a top priority. I can’t speak for everyone, but I do think that many people have had a similar experience where they lost their faith but found their way back. Over the past few weeks, I made the decision to go back to church. I thought it would be a good idea to go back to church to reconnect with my faith, which I felt has never failed me. I may have been disappointed with outcomes in my life in the past, but somehow someway, it all worked out for me.
As stated in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good…” We are living in a time of spiritual and political warfare, the height of AI and social media, and where there is a loss of human connection. I, and probably many others, feel that going to church brings a sense of peace and solitude, especially during these times. It is also a way to connect with others who share the same faith in a traditional way.
Gen Z adults are returning to church to find any sort of connection during a time when physical social interaction is limited. Many of us want to feel a sense of hope and that there is something or someone to turn to, whether that be God, for a sense of direction and purpose. Church is a place for people to express their faith without the feeling of judgement and connect with a spiritual side of themselves and others.
