Faith, redesigned

Religious practice is taking on a nuanced, modern approach that clicks with Gen Z and hesitant constituents determined to find faith and community. A survey conducted by OnePoll found younger respondents more faithful and open to faith than their older counterparts. 62% of adult gen Z consider themselves “very” or “fairly” spiritual compared to 52% of millennials; 36% gen X; 35% boomers. Perhaps now, with a new Pope, Pope Leo XIV elected in May, who preaches from an Augustinian foundation of community, poverty, and pursuing truth, parishioners are embracing a more accepting religious leader.

Their practice, however, is different. Gen Z responded to the survey indicating that they “enjoy nature” and practice “mindfulness” rather than participate in a more established religious practice. They did identify with established religions, though: 40% of the respondents under 25 years old said they were Christian, 21% identified as Muslim, and 3% stated they were Hindu.

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Byble. Images courtesy of Dylan Da Silva

A new Bible hit bookshelves in September, Byble, which stands for “begin your bible learning experience” is the creation of Dylan Da Silva. The typographically appealing, slick design aims to make the Bible more accessible and inspiring. However, founder Da Silva explains to VML Intelligence, “the redesign isn’t just about aesthetics, it is about translation. Not of language but of experience.” The intention is to better engage with today’s generation, Da Silva hopes the clarity and visual appeal of Byble will “meet people where they are visually, culturally, spiritually and reintroduce the Bible as something living, not just historical.” He believes, “this isn’t a redesign. It’s a reintroduction.”

WEB Hojvangen Church 03 — Højvangen Church. Image courtesy of Henning Larsen

Churches are also getting a modern revamp to attract a younger generation. The Højvangen Church in Skanderborg, Denmark designed by architecture studio Henning Larsen has created a peaceful space for reflection, gathering and encountering. It serves as a community center as well as a contemporary spiritual space.

In London, a fresh cohort of faith-inspired youngsters are updating the religious scene. Saint, founded by Al Gordon, is a chic and minimalist approach to Christian worship with such a robust sound system that artists such as Ed Sheeran and Robbie Williams have performed there. Located in East London, the church offers prayer groups that double as therapy sessions, a microbrewery, and of course, Sunday service. Attracting a younger crowd, one churchgoer, 26 year old Isaac Pollock, told The Standard why he enjoys sermons there, “everyone’s my age, my demographic; we all kind of go through the same issues in life. We’re creatives in a contemporary setting, but we are also Christian.”

Interestingly, what appears to be a more modern congregation from the outside maintains conservative and traditional beliefs within: The Holy Trinity of Brompton, or HTB, located in London, England preaches a more fundamentalist approach to the faith, and even opposes same-sex marriage. Saint is part of the HTB network of churches.

Gen Z aren’t just looking for answers — they’re looking for spaces where they can ask better questions. Spaces that feel real, sacred, and human, while reaching toward a truth beyond the immediately tangible.

Father Ben Bell

St. George the Martyr

Alternatively, St. George the Martyr in London’s Southwark just down the road embraces an opposite approach to entice new parishioners. Father Ben Bell, draped in a traditional cassock, preaches in a traditional setting in traditional garb, but what he preaches takes on an inclusive approach. He prioritizes openness for a new, lost crowd seeking peace: At a time when everything feels disposable and digital, Gen Z is searching for something rooted,” Father Bell tells VML Intelligence. “Gen Z aren’t just looking for answers — they’re looking for spaces where they can ask better questions. Spaces that feel real, sacred, and human, while reaching toward a truth beyond the immediately tangible. St George does that quietly, without spectacle. It holds time differently. And that kind of presence is something this generation is drawn to.”

Gen Z continue to find meaning in spirituality and religion, in a way that offers authenticity and meets their needs for community, acceptance and faith in the greater good. They are finding solace and making connections in this new age of religion, through tech, through literature, and now, at Sunday mass.