Throughout The Ministry Collaborative’s decade-plus work alongside clergy in Scotland, we were fortunate to be guided by and learn from two gifted pastors, Arthur Christie and Peter Neilson. In recent correspondence with Peter, he shared the following reflection. What I have learned most in our work in the UK is that what has happened – or is happening – there is an early indicator of what we are going to experience in the U.S. Our colleague Beth Daniel gave an important interpretation of these trends in her article last week. Peter’s reflection here is further amplified by countless other articles and data points, including the article just published by The Times of London about church revival.
– Mark Ramsey
An Easter Bible Society report based on a YouGov survey in England and Wales has indicated that 18–30-year-olds are turning to church in a “Quiet Revival”, showing a 50% increased attendance in the last six years – 2 million more than in 2018. The places of growth are the Roman Catholic Church and the Pentecostal Churches. The report suggests that this is a response to “loneliness, mental health and loss of meaning.”
The survey identifies five markers that draw this age group to church – participation, exploration, reflection, connection and celebration. (PERCC if you like acronyms!) This suggests that this age group are seeking a community where they can contribute, share questions of faith and life, find stillness, serve their community and discover hope-filled worship that lifts them up.
Around the same time (UK’s) Channel 4 conducted a survey of 3000 people in the Gen Z cohort (13–27-year-olds) and found that 52% believed that the UK would be a better place with a strong leader who did not bother with parliament or elections. One third would like the army to be in charge. The report suggest that Gen Z is “simultaneously the most authoritarian and the most liberal generation.” There is a disengagement from democracy and the readiness to follow the “on-line pied pipers”. They distrust the mainline media and “curate their own truth” from on-line sources, finding appeal in the controversial voices of Andrew Tate and Jordan Pederson.
Add to the mix the words of Pope Leo XIV, in his first sermon, calling the Church to be the “leaven of unity” that embodies an alternative to the ways of violence and division. Can we as a church model leadership that is truthful and humble rather than coercive, building a Christ-centred community that exists to serve others rather than focusing on our own survival?
Jesus drew out the cynical from their hiding place, invited the religious leaders to a deeper way, released those trapped in shame, challenged those who had given up hope and always spoke with the disruptive truth of heaven’s voice as he listened to Father.
The future of the Church is still summed up in his call to “Follow me!”
The Rev. Peter Neilson, Church of Scotland
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