The ‘Quiet Revival’: so how should local churches respond?

The ‘Quiet Revival’: so how should local churches respond?

If hostility and apathy to Christianity are truly being replaced by openness, especially among the young, what we should be doing about it?

This will be a major point for discussion and subsequent action at CRE 25, in light of the Bible Society’s recent report,The Quiet Revival whichsuggests that Generation Z show ‘above-average levels of warmth to spirituality’.

One of the report’s researchers, Dr Rob Barward-Symmons (above) will speak to the findings and take questions from visitors.

The Quiet Revival compares two nationally representative polls of attitudes and behaviours around the Bible, the church and Christianity among adults in England and Wales, commissioned by the Bible Society and carried out by YouGov.

First undertaken in 2018 with 19,000 adults, the survey was repeated in 2024 with 13,000 – in both cases providing high confidence levels. In 2018, four per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds reported that they attended church monthly, compared with 16 per cent in 2024. For men in this age range, this increased from four per cent to 21 per cent, and, for women, from three per cent to 12 per cent.

As well as a shift in cultural attitudes towards church and Christianity, the report suggests ‘a deep search for meaning, order and belonging’ among younger generations.

‘With the normalisation of Christianity in culture, and the confidence and comfort of Christian friends to share their own faith experience, a large number of young adults now appear to be looking towards the church as a space for finding healing and community as well as a deeper sense of meaning in their life,’ suggests the report.

The Quiet Revival concludes with four recommendations: firstly that ‘policy-makers and opinion-formers’ recognise churchgoing Christians in society and that churches work on increasing Bible discipleship, engage in intergenerational conversations within congregations and more widely and ‘recognise the importance and impact of authentic personal relationships.’

In his foreword, the Bible Society’s chief executive, Paul Williams, writes: ‘Our “Quiet Revival” is low key, but it is widespread. It doesn’t draw attention to a particular leadership style, or way of doing church, or political influence. Instead, the story told in this report is revolutionary in terms of the public assumptions about Christianity in England and Wales, and transformational in terms of how Christians think about themselves.’

‘When a report like this comes along it is important not to overstate or understate its significance,’ said CRE owner Steve Goddard. ‘The exhibition provides an important platform for critical and rigorous discussion on an important piece of research. We encourage leaders at every level of local church operations to join us in October.’

• The Bible Society will be on stand E9 at CRE 25

CRE 2025

Book your ticket to CRE 25!
To book a stand at CRE 25, contact:
James Batterbee
T: 0161 240 4500
E: james@creonline.co.uk