As part of its ongoing State of the Church initiative, Barna Group, in partnership with Gloo, is continuing to track several key aspects of Christianity, church life and culture today, including new research on faith and AI, trends in Christian media and indicators of spiritual renewal in the U.S.

In a moment marked by rapid technological change, cultural fragmentation and spiritual searching, these insights offer church leaders and Christian communicators a clearer understanding of where faith is strengthening, where it is straining and where new questions are emerging.

Here is a snapshot of several key trends Barna and Gloo are exploring throughout 2026.

Faith and AI: A Shifting Landscape of Authority

New research examining how Americans—particularly Christians—are using artificial intelligence reveals a notable shift. Nearly one in three U.S. adults say spiritual advice from AI is as trustworthy as advice from a pastor. Among Gen Z and Millennials, that figure rises to two in five.