Both in Britain and around the world, research is revealing a positive shift in attitude towards God and the Bible. Michael Pfundner unpacks the surveys which make for encouraging reading
You may remember the days when the term ‘post-Christendom’ began to do the rounds.
Apart from the odd thriving congregation, church attendance in this country (and in many places around the world) seemed to be in freefall.
But now things seem to be changing. Scepticism and apathy have given way to spiritual hunger, with young people leading the charge in England and Wales – and religion being seen as the norm worldwide. Who would have thought it?
Back to the Bible
Before we get carried away, let’s stress-test that growing sense of spiritual renewal.
A few years ago, Bible Society commissioned two surveys, one with YouGov, involving 19,000 people in England and Wales. The other with Gallup involving 90,000 people in 85 countries and territories. Both have revealed that religion is far from dead, worldwide or in the UK.
Across the secular West, over a quarter of non-Christians have begun to show an interest in the Bible
England and Wales were countries assumed to be sliding inexorably into secularism. In the 2018 YouGov UK poll, only eight per cent of the population said they attended church at least monthly.
Yet fast-forward to 2024 and the Quiet Revival research yielded some surprising results. Over the past six years, church attendance has gone up by 50 per cent, while the number of young adults in church has quadrupled. Remarkably, young men in particular have been finding their way back into church. And Gen Z is showing greater interest in the Bible than most of their older fellow-churchgoers.
Stories of faith
The bottom line is that more people in England and Wales want to know about Christianity these days, and Gen Z in particular.
24-year-old Harry Clark, who recently appeared on popular TV show The Traitors, said: “God is the only one who knows everything about me. It’s like a vase that shatters, and God is the one that can put together the shards.”
Young mother Moesha, who’d been “looking for meaning in dating, drinking and smoking marijuana” told Bible Society’s researchers that putting her trust in God was “the best decision I have made”.
Scepticism and apathy have given way to spiritual hunger, with young people leading the charge
Meanwhile, retiree Andy decided to deliver food to the financially challenged, because he “wanted to reach out to other people that I wouldn’t meet in everyday life. That’s what Jesus was like”.
Faith, in other words, involves head, heart and hands. Compared to six years ago, an extra two million people show a desire to know the Bible, experience its power and apply it in their everyday lives. A quiet revival is under way.
Around the world
Looking to the other side of the channel, the Catholic Church in France appears to be experiencing a mini renaissance.
In fact, across the secular West, over a quarter of non-Christians have begun to show an interest in the Bible. Once again, young people are particularly keen: 36 per cent of non-Christians aged 18 to 24 want to know more about what the scriptures say.
These findings are part of the Patmos World Bible Attitudes Survey, the most comprehensive global study of Bible and faith conducted in a generation. Crucially, Bible Society is not keeping the data to itself but offering it to other Christian organisations and mission agencies, so they can base their programmes on real facts and figures.
Meeting missional needs
As every gardener knows, young plants need more attention than established ones. So how do churches and Christian ministries ensure that the new seed falls on fertile ground? How will we help those returning to church and exploring the Bible to thrive?
There’s a fine line between over reliance on our plans and strategies and failing to be intentional about Bible engagement and spiritual growth. The wealth of domestic and global research now available can help to strike a balance: to be encouraged about the new openness and better informed about the people we’re trying to reach, and to remain realistic about the barriers which continue to exist.
Whether at domestic or at global level, knowing your audience is the first step towards making your mission and message more effective. This makes it a game changer as Christians around the world tap into the findings and allow them to inform their mission strategy.
For more on the Patmos World Bible Attitudes Survey visit patmos.bfbs.org/Keyinsights
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