Dear Friend,

Welcome to Ministry Excellence, a guide to help you thrive in your calling and maximize your impact in the Kingdom. This newsletter is designed to equip and inspire you to grow in your spiritual journey, leadership skills, and ministry effectiveness. Expect practical tips, insightful articles, and real-life stories that help you navigate the challenges of ministry with wisdom, compassion, and excellence. Together, let's build your ministry to a new level of success, transforming more lives while reflecting the heart of Christ in what you do.

In this issue:

The Masculine Revival of Faith

New surveys show that more young men than women are now turning to organized religion. And Catholicism, with its rituals and definitive teachings on matters of faith and morals, is very appealing to many of them. Surprisingly, it's the young men who are leading this revival. What's behind this trend?

Data reveals that Gen Z men are more likely to attend weekly religious services compared to previous generations. A recent study conducted by the Survey Center on American Life found that 54% of Gen Z adults who quit going to church are women. That means that fewer than half -- 46% -- are men, unlike years past. This tells us that more men are retaining or returning to religion at higher rates.

An Australian Community Survey found that 39% of Gen Z men identify as Christian, compared to 28% of Gen Z women. This marks the first time in nearly 30 years of research that young men have shown more interest in religion than young women.

A recent survey of church attendance in the United Kingdom, entitled The Quiet Revival, was commissioned by the Bible Society and conducted by YouGov. The report shows that church attendance in England and Wales has actually increased by 50% over the past six years. Young people between the ages of 18 and 24 are the second largest demographic attending church, second only to those who are 65 and over. The trend is especially populated by young men; 21% said they attend church at least once a month; only 12% of young women do.

The UK data also shows that young adults today are especially drawn to Roman Catholicism. Thus there's been such a significant increase in the number of Catholics in England that the overall gap between those who identify as Catholic and those who identify as Anglican is closing.

What's behind the masculine revival of faith?

Firstly it's a reaction to the COVID lockdowns and social distancing. They're hungry for community and finding it in church. Secondly, it's a reaction to the increasing craziness of moral relativism, which they lived through during their childhood. As independent young adults, now they seek truths they can depend on, and they're finding it in traditional religious values.

Meanwhile, the number of Gen Z women who are interested in organized religion is still declining. So -- why the difference?

It has to do with the way God designed men versus what society has told them. After a century of feminist put-downs of male masculinity, Gen Z men are paying attention to their innate, God-given desire to be true to themselves as men. They are reclaiming the importance of manhood and fatherhood. The Catholic Church attracts them because of its emphasis on a male priesthood. And when these young men become involved in parish life, they find brotherhood and a sense of belonging -- it's an answer to the fragmentation of families and the chaos of today's politics.

Another effect of the chaos that fills society is an attraction to Catholic rituals. There's a strong sense of stability in rituals, and today's young men are finding peace and awe in the rituals.

And think of the heroism embedded in Catholicism. We have two millennia of heroic Saints. The world has had a significant lack of heroes except on movie and television screens. Gen Z men are finding a sense of heroic purpose in our counter-cultural Church. I feel confident in predicting that the masculine revival of faith will soon lead to an increase of new vocations as well as lay leaders and evangelizers. We can already see this happening in the large number of young male podcasters teaching the Faith in videos, and the eager followers they get.

Is your parish or personal ministry ready to nurture this masculine revival of faith?

One important way to do this is to offer programs that focus on God's Fatherhood. My book on The Father's Heart can be used in a book club for men. Would you like to find out more about it? Visit: tothefathersheart.com

Blessings of Peace and Grace
as we serve Christ together,
Terry Modica

Spiritual Coach, Author, Speaker,
Executive Director
Good News Ministries
GNM.org