A Response To The Quiet Revival What Does It Mean for Church Youth Work?

It’s pretty exciting to see headlines in national newspapers declaring Gen Z’s rising interest in God! You may have seen some of the articles, news segments and interviews over the summer exploring this incredible shift.

So what do we do with that? In this blog, we are considering how we respond to take hold of this growing opportunity when it comes to youth work in churches. 

What is the ‘Quiet Revival’?

The term ‘Quiet Revival’ comes from the Bible Society report that sparked much of the interest in the growth in church attendance across the UK. The name is fitting, there is a surge of engagement in religion, but it looks different to traditional tent style revivals or stadium rallies of the past. There’s a quiet, but very real, shift occurring. 

The Bible Society notes that there is a substantial change amongst Gen Z in particular: 

The most dramatic church growth is among young adults, particularly young men. In 2018, just 4 per cent of 18–24-year-olds said that they attended church at least monthly. Today, says The Quiet Revival, this has risen to 16 per cent, with a notable rise in the proportion of young men attending.

You can check out the full report on the Bible Society site.

What does the Quiet Revival mean for church youth work? 

Put simply, the harvest is ripe! This research should come as a huge encouragement to those involved in Christian youth work in the UK. Young people are actively seeking God and wanting to learn more about the Bible. 

Where to start?

If you've been thinking about starting a youth focussed ministry at your church, now’s the time. The younger generation have an active curiosity and are seeking out guidance. It’s important the church is prepared and ready to help introduce these curious seekers to Jesus and offer healthy discipleship as they take their first steps in faith. 

Some ideas for starting a youth group: 

• Use existing programmes such as Youth Alpha. The pre-prepared program means you can slot it into your existing schedule with ease. Invite youth, get some snacks, watch the videos and let them bring all the questions they have. 

• Get connected with your local schools and colleges, particularly if there is space for involvement with the Christian Union or Chaplaincy.

• Connect with the local community through events targeted at their age range. Here at Breakout Ministries, we help local churches run American Sports Camps that create those initial connection points. Many churches have successfully launched ongoing youth ministry off the back of the camps. If you’re interested in learning more, don’t hesitate to get in touch! 

Investing in your existing youth work

If you already have a strong youth presence in your church, the challenge now is about discipleship. How can you walk with these young people to help them bolster their faith and biblical confidence? The research indicates that their friends are likely to be more interested in their Christian faith. Equipping them to share is essential. 

A couple of suggestions: 

• Start a regular youth bible study homegroup. This is particularly great for youth who have already made a commitment to follow Jesus and are keen to learn more. Use a simple study style such as the SOAP or Discover method. Alternatively, you could go through a slightly more meatier course than Alpha, such as The Bible Course or Youth Freedom In Christ. 

• Think about how you can encourage young people in their giftings. Do you have budding worship leaders, preachers, apologists or evangelists in your group? How could you give them opportunities to grow in these areas with the input and support from mature church members?

• Take a group to a youth summer festival. These events are a fantastic way for your youth group to build fellowship and also to demonstrate how many other young devoted Christians there are in the UK! There are loads to choose from across the country.

In conclusion, be intentional in investing in the young people around you, whether that looks like reaching out to the curious or supporting the young believers in your church. 

Get in touch

Here at Breakout, we specialise in partnering with local churches to run American Sports Camps that lead to ongoing youth work. We’ve helped brand new church plants and large established churches in the UK, Ireland and Europe. If you’re interested in how that might work in your context, reach out! We’d love to hear from you.