Generation Z is leading a turnaround in the popularity of Christianity and a rise in church attendance in England and Wales, according to a survey by the Bible Society and YouGov. It says young people aged 18-34, which includes Gen Z and Millennials, are newly drawn to Christian beliefs, with interest not only in being part of a church but also in prayer, reading the Bible and social activism based on faith. The most dramatic increase in churchgoing, according to the research, is among young men and the key seems to be the attraction of community, with young members bringing new friends. It suggests church attendance has increased from 8 to 12 per cent since 2018 with the most significant upturn among the 18-24s (Gen Z) where the numbers attending church at least once a month have risen from 4 to 16 per cent. The survey, The Quiet Revival, was conducted by YouGov among 13,146 people in England and Wales and is an update on the Bible Society’s previous research conducted in 2018. Read Catherine Pepinster’s report with more detail here.
Our briefing today at 1200 looks in further detail at this report with a panel including the report authors Dr Rhiannon McAleer, Director of Research and Impact at Bible Society and Dr Rob Barward-Symmons, Head of Research, Theos. Other guests are: Dr Tim Hutchings, University of Nottingham; Christopher Gasson, author and commmissioner of OnePoll on “spiritual” young people; Jessie Paktiazay, Producer Director at Three Arrows Media; and Dr Peter Brierley, chruch statistician. Get the zoom link from info@religionmediacentre.org.uk