Bible Society released a report just a few weeks ago entitled The Quiet Revival. The title was rigorously chosen: when Christians, particularly within the Evangelical tradition, hear the word ‘revival’, they have a tendency to consider emotionally charged services, dramatic numbers of conversions, packed congregations and nowhere to park. There are definitely churches where that is occurring, but then that is at all times been true.
A distinct form of revival
Our Quiet Revival – based on massive surveys conducted by YouGov, Britain’s leading polling organisation – is a unique form of thing. There is a general upsurge of interest in Christianity and the Bible. There has been a really marked increase within the number of individuals in England and Wales saying they attend church compared with six years ago. More churchgoing Christians are reading the Bible.
Churchgoing, it seems, is sweet for you: in the event you go to church you are less prone to say you’re feeling anxious or depressed, more prone to feel near your community, and more prone to volunteer and provides to charity.
The facts and figures are all available on Bible Society’s website, and there is a comprehensive FAQ section for individuals who desire a deeper dive. But it’s value just stressing that this is sweet, robust data. Because it’s counter-intuitive – in spite of everything, everyone knows the Church is in decline, don’t they? – there’s been some push-back from sceptics; a few of them reasonably well-informed, some, let’s assume, slightly less so.
Countering the sceptics
Can we, for example, be reasonably sure that church attendance has risen by around 50 per cent in the course of the last six years? Well, no poll is infallible, obviously. But each this one and the previous one have been conducted to the best standards of polling reliability. The methodology utilized in each cases was the identical. The concept that YouGov’s highly trained, skilled analysts are incapable of devising an accurate survey is apparent mistaken. Furthermore, critics need to account for the difference between the 2018 and 2024 polls – if one was mistaken, why not the opposite?
The differences between our figures for Catholic and Anglican attendance and their very own (ours show more growth than theirs) are more interesting. Look on the methodology of the counting, though, and again it’s perfectly possible to elucidate this. We’re very confident within the accuracy of the survey.
Stories of growth
And while one anecdote isn’t really evidence, enough anecdotes can support evidence – and increasingly individuals are saying, “This is strictly what we’re seeing.” Again and again we’re hearing stories of individuals coming to faith and churches growing, in exciting and inspiring ways. It really does appear to be true that there was a change within the spiritual climate.
Here’s one other thing though. The fact of a ‘quiet revival’ in itself is just … interesting, and yes, encouraging. But it’s what we do with this information that counts.
What in regards to the Bible?
Two facts stand out. One is that churchgoers are reading the Bible more. In 2018, half of churchgoing Christians read the Bible weekly outside a Sunday service; now, it’s two-thirds. Remarkably, the under-35s are the almost certainly to read the Bible a minimum of weekly – and while one in 4 non-churchgoers would consider giving the Bible a try, that figure rises to 37 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds. There is a real curiosity in regards to the Bible and a desire to read it, particularly amongst younger people.
Second, though: we also found that around a 3rd of churchgoers say they lack confidence in navigating or understanding the Bible. Among these curious and enthusiastic 18 to 34-year-olds, a 3rd say their faith is undermined once they read some parts of the Bible. They’re also more prone to say that their faith within the Bible is typically shaken by the media and British culture, and to say that finding appropriate resources and other people to learn from is difficult.
Why the Bible matters
It won’t surprise readers that Bible Society is convinced of the importance of the Bible. It is key to our knowledge of God, to our Christian flourishing and to the spiritual health of God’s Church. So we wish to encourage particularly Christian leaders to take these opportunities and challenges around Bible reading seriously. There is an openness to Scripture, especially amongst younger people, that hasn’t been seen for years. Are we ready to satisfy this with good resources, with minds and hearts prepared for potentially stretching conversations, and with a private confidence that the Bible is trustworthy and true?
And the challenges – even when individuals are open to Scripture, they do not at all times understand it and parts of it worry them. How intentional are we about making the Bible central to our church life, encouraging people not simply to read it but to listen to God talking to them through it, and letting it shape how we journey through the world?
Growing future-proof disciples
The Quiet Revival provided some eye-catching headlines since it showed that the Church is alive, well and growing. But that is the context for the Bible mission that may ground this revival in God’s word, and help create disciples who’re like “trees planted by streams of water” – confident Christians who live out their faith of their each day lives, capable of understand and explain the Bible to others, and to pass on the religion that they’ve received. In our report we talk in regards to the must prioritise discipleship and growing Bible confidence; to create space for intentional intergenerational conversation; and to construct on interpersonal relationship. Younger people especially need Bible mentors and role models.
There are resources on the market. Bible Society’s video series The Bible Course is considered one of these, and its recent edition is already being widely used. There’ll definitely be a necessity for more. But most significantly, we’ll must seize this God-given moment by whatever means we are able to. The tide of religion seems to have turned; we’ve a generational opportunity to alter the story of the Church on this country for good.
Rev Mark Woods is head of communications for Bible Society.
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