Is Gen Z bringing faith back to the West?

After decades of declining church attendance, recent data suggests that Gen Z may be stabilizing Christianity’s decline — and even attending church more frequently than Millennials.

In this episode of We Love Sundays, we unpack what’s driving this shift:

• Distrust in institutions

• Loneliness among young adults

• Hunger for authenticity and belonging

• The move away from production-heavy megachurch models

• The influence of Christian creators online

• Why Gen Z is drawn to repentance, grace, and vulnerability

We explore whether the church has over-optimized itself in an attempt to reach culture — and if simplicity, honesty, and community might actually be what the next generation is looking for.

Is this the beginning of a revival?

Or just a cultural correction?

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@welovesundayspod

@iryllr

@trentonslabach

@albertobello

I'm constantly feeling alone. What do I do?In this episode we discuss what it takes to build meaningful friendships, the importance of boundaries, and the practical steps needed to stop feeling lonely.Here are some key takeaways:• Friendships are essential for a fulfilling life.• Loneliness is a growing epidemic, especially among young adults.• Understanding the difference between friends and acquaintances is crucial.• Building relationships requires effort and intentionality.• Vulnerability is key to forming deep connections.• Setting boundaries helps manage expectations in friendships.• Authenticity attracts genuine relationships.• Encouragement can foster deeper connections.• Friendships should not be viewed as an idol.• The discipline of maintaining friendships is vital.Chapters00:00 Navigating Church Planning and AI Innovations00:42 The Importance of Relationships in Life02:47 Defining Friendships and Relationships05:47 The Dynamics of Friendship and Vulnerability08:48 Managing Expectations in Relationships11:48 The Balance of Inviting People In14:48 Finding True Connection Amidst Loneliness20:46 Navigating Loneliness and Building Friendships23:41 Finding Common Ground in Relationships26:51 The Importance of Vulnerability in Friendships30:34 The Discipline of Building Relationships35:49 Avoiding Insecurity and Codependency42:18 Setting Boundaries in FriendshipsLike and Subscribe: @welovesundays Follow us on Instagram:@iryllr@albertobello@trentonslabach@welovesundayspod

We Love Sundays — Episode 3

What does it actually take to lead change in a historic church without blowing it up?

In this episode, Trent sits down with Dr. Jason Kennedy, Lead Pastor of Bakersfield First Assembly, to talk about the real work of pastoral leadership, church revitalization, and building healthy systems that last.

Instead of flashy strategies or quick fixes, this conversation is about something rarer: patience, grit, and long-term faithfulness.

Dr. Kennedy shares what it looks like to pastor an established congregation with deep roots, navigate resistance to change, honor church history, and still move forward with clarity and conviction. We talk systems, community engagement, congregational care, and why slow, steady growth almost always beats radical overhauls.

If you’re a pastor, church leader, or anyone serving in ministry, this is a masterclass in sustainable leadership.

In this episode:

• The hidden challenges of leading a historic church
• Why change takes years, not months
• Building systems that actually create connection
• Balancing tradition with forward-facing ministry
• Church growth through relationships, not hype
• Creating belonging + community engagement
• Practical advice for new and struggling pastors
• How patience builds trust and long-term health

Sound bites:

“Slow and steady wins the race.”

“You see a need and you fill it.”

“Plant and bloom where you’re planted.”

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Pastor Jason Kennedy

03:02 Pastoral journey and experience

05:46 Challenges of leading a historic church

08:57 Navigating change and building trust

12:07 Patience in leadership

14:54 Balancing change and tradition

17:58 Music, generations, and church culture

18:43 Inspiring future generations

21:01 Finances, stability, and growth

23:42 Sacredness in worship

25:11 Youth and community engagement

27:34 Building relationships and church health

30:19 Systems for growth and retention

34:37 Advice for new and struggling pastors

🎙️ We Love Sundays is a weekly podcast on faith, church, and culture.

New episodes every week.

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