Best of the Spectator Holy Smoke: the truth about the quiet revival – with grounds for optimism
Apr 9, 2026
Justin Brierley, Christian writer and broadcaster who founded Think Faith, offers a cautiously optimistic take on reports of a 'quiet revival'. He unpacks flawed survey claims, explores where renewed interest is actually growing, and talks about why Gen Z and certain church styles are drawing people. Practical ideas for parish renewal and the Church of England's leadership challenges are also discussed.
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Quiet Revival Claim Undermined By Flawed Survey
- The Bible Society's ‘quiet revival’ claim collapsed because YouGov data protections were not enabled, making the headline rise in young churchgoers unreliable.
- Justin Brierley felt disappointed because anecdotal signs of renewed interest still matched his reporting despite the flawed survey.
Decline Might Be Slowing In Pockets Not Nationwide
- Decline in religiosity may be slowing even if numbers remain small; pockets show meaningful growth such as Easter vigil catechumens in Catholic France.
- Growth is concentrated in urban, Anglo-Catholic, HTB network, and charismatic churches rather than rural parishes.
Fewer Young Believers But More Committed Ones
- Fewer young people are religious overall, but those who are tend to be more fervent and observant than previous cohorts.
- US surveys show Gen Z attend more frequently than older generations, suggesting a smaller but more committed cohort.