The data is in: church attendance in England and Wales is growing. And young adults are leading the growth.
Until recently, the story of Christianity in the UK had been one of decline. A census in 2021 revealed that, for the first time, the number of Christians in the UK had fallen below 50 per cent of the population in England and Wales.
But recent research published by the Bible Society challenges this story. There are now more than 2 million more people attending church than there were six years ago. Roman Catholicism and Pentecostalism are seeing significant growth.
Headline findings from The Quiet Revival research
- In 2018, just 4 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds said they attended church at least monthly. Today, this has risen to 16 per cent, with young men increasing from 4 per cent to 21 per cent, and young women from 3 per cent to 12 per cent.
- Men (13 per cent) are more likely to attend church than women (10 per cent).
- The church in England and Wales is becoming more ethnically diverse, with one in five people (19 per cent) coming from an ethnic minority.
- Close to half of young black people aged 18 to 34 (47 per cent) are now attending church at least monthly.
While the Bible says that Christians should get into the habit of gathering to worship God and encourage each other (Hebrews 10:25), genuine discipleship isn’t just about church attendance. Beyond simply turning up to a church building and engaging in empty religiosity, we can allow Jesus to transform our lives.
And the research is encouraging. It goes on to say that young adults:
- show greater warmth and openness towards spirituality, the church, and spiritual practice
- are the most likely group to pray regularly, with 40 per cent praying at least monthly
- show the most interest in learning more about the Bible, with 37 per cent expressing curiosity
- and just over half (51 per cent) have engaged in a spiritual practice in the past six months, compared to 42 per cent of older adults
Church attendance linked to community action
The report shows that the young people coming to church aren’t seeking a performative kind of piety. Instead, they desire a more authentic spiritual experience and an eagerness to understand the Bible. These are good signs, because as Christians we don’t put our trust in politics, nor in any YouTube influencers, but in God’s Word.
When the Holy Spirit reveals God’s word to us and the grace offered to us in Christ, that is when true transformation occurs. This personal transformation also leads to outward action and a desire to impact the wider community
The Quiet Revival report goes on to say: ‘Churchgoers are more likely to actively participate in activities aimed at benefitting the community around them. Churchgoers are more likely to volunteer, donate to foodbanks and give to charitable causes, demonstrating the positive effect of Christian faith on their lives – and the impact that a rise in churchgoing can have on society as a whole.’
