Listen-Think-Live Episode 8: "The Quiet Revival"...a conversation with Dr Rhiannon McAleer
Oct 1, 2025
Dr. Rhiannon McAleer, a researcher from the Bible Society and lead author of 'The Quiet Revival' report, reveals intriguing insights into rising church attendance and spirituality. She dissects the key findings from the 2018 and 2024 surveys, confirming confidence in the data despite scrutiny. Rhiannon discusses the urban concentration of growth, appeal of diverse church expressions, and the sociological shifts spurred by factors like the pandemic. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship and adaptability for churches looking to nurture new connections.
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Surveys Reveal Youthful Spiritual Warming
- The 2018 vs 2024 YouGov surveys show a real warming to Christianity and spirituality, especially among young adults.
- Churchgoers report higher life satisfaction, hopefulness, and local connectedness, notably for young men.
Multiple Datasets Support The Trend
- YouGov and other datasets validate the trend rather than it being a single-survey error.
- Catholic confirmations and Baptist baptisms also increased, suggesting wider signs of growth.
Growth Is Uneven And Contextual
- Growth is uneven: it's mainly urban and strongest in Catholic and charismatic churches.
- Some places see nothing, so local context matters and churches shouldn't self-blame.