Quiet Revival report withdrawn  

Bible Society has withdrawn its Quiet Revival report after discovering the YouGov survey it was based on was faulty 

In a statement on Thursday (26 March), it explained YouGov, which it had commissioned to carry out the 2024 survey, had recently discovered 'key quality control technologies had not been activated'. In its own statement, YouGov said 'some of the anti-fraud measures available in 2024 were not administered in the optimal way', leading to 'a number of respondents who we can now identify as fraudulent.'

As a result the survey 'can no longer be regarded as a reliable source of information about the spiritual landscape in Britain.' 

The Quiet Revival report had suggested a larger than expected rise in churchgoing, particularly among young people. 

'We recognise that this news may feel discouraging and we share that sense of disappointment,' said Paul Williams, Bible Society Chief Executive Officer.

'Over a 15-month period, Bible Society repeatedly sought and received assurances from YouGov, regarding both the robustness of the methodology and the reliability of the report’s conclusions. It was only at the beginning of March that YouGov confirmed that it failed to activate key quality control technologies that protect the sample from a wide range of errors and this undermines the reliability of the results. 

'We are therefore deeply disappointed that YouGov not only made an error but also that it only discovered this so recently. We are grateful that YouGov’s Chief Executive Officer Stephan Shakespeare has personally apologised.'

The statement shared a quote from Mr Shakespeare, who said, ‘YouGov take full responsibility for the outputs of the original 2024 research, and we apologise for what has happened. We would like to stress that Bible Society has at all times accurately and responsibly reported the data we supplied to them.’ 

The Bible Society statement continued, 'The reason we commissioned this research in the first place is that we want to understand what is truly happening on the ground. 

'We would wish to stress that YouGov's error does not mean that all of the findings were wrong – it means that we cannot reliably support those findings on the basis of this survey.'

Alongside its statement, Bible Society published a new report - The Quiet Revival one year on: what's the story?  

It said this report brings together 'intriguing' evidence 'pointing to a real change in the spiritual atmosphere, with an increase in conversions and commitment.' (The new report includes a link to Lynn Green's 'Gracious Growth' address at the 2025 Baptist Assembly, in which she highlighted some encouraging figures based on the 2024 annual returns.)

'There is in fact a very positive story to tell,' Mr Williams continued. 'Over the past year we have seen an unprecedented public conversation about Christianity, with countless stories of a spiritual awakening among Gen Z, alongside greatly increased Bible sales in the UK, growing numbers of adult baptisms and confirmations, and increased attendance at evangelism courses.  

'This wider picture is also supported by a number of other surveys, based on probability sampling, which point to an increased engagement in faith among young adults compared to older generations. Both the Ipsos Mori 2023 Global Religion Survey and our analysis of the most recent data from the Pew Research Center on Spirituality Around the World indicate that young adults in the UK are more likely to pray and attend a place of worship than older generations.

'While religious identity overall is shifting from ‘Christian’ to ‘no religion’, Christianity in Britain appears to be moving from a declining nominal faith to a committed and active one, as cultural shifts – especially among younger people – encourage a more proactive search for identity, meaning and purpose.' 

Mr Williams said Bible Society plans to run the YouGov survey again this year, nearly two years on from the original survey, 'having ensured the appropriate safeguards are in place to ensure reliable results.'

 
Bible Society published a page of FAQs alongside its statement.  Questions include: What went wrong with The Quiet Revival research? and Were the original findings simply wrong, or is the picture more complicated?
 

 
'Disappointing - but doesn't cancel quiet revival of interest' - reaction
 

Matt Ceaser is the 18-35s Development Co-ordinator for the Baptist Union. He said, 'Many in our Baptist family have been encouraged by the Quiet Revival report, so it is a shame to learn that the data provided was faulty. It is right that Bible Society has withdrawn the report, and we should follow their lead in no longer pointing to that specific research as authoritative. It does not serve the witness of the church to make claims based on faulty evidence or too hastily rush to declare revival.

'That said, this news should not cause us to over-react and dismiss trends that we are seeing across Baptists Together. The 18-35 generation are more spiritually open and many are searching for the hope, community and purpose that Christianity brings in an uncertain and isolating time. I am increasingly hearing of young adults turning up in churches, coming to faith, getting baptised and bringing their friends along too.

'And across our union, many churches are starting young adult gatherings, discipleship groups, and evangelistic initiatives to respond to this cultural moment and receive curious faith-seekers, 

'So let’s not panic at this news: it is good to value statistical rigour and truthfulness. God is most certainly on the move in this generation, and we can continue to respond in faith to the hunger and curiosity of young adults in the UK.'


Gavin Calver, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance,  said, 'The ‘Quiet Revival’ research from the Bible Society has been found to be unreliable. You Gov have taken full responsibility, the Bible Society have acted appropriately at all times & a new report will be done in the future.

'However, it was only one of many pieces of research that showed an increase in the spiritual temperature of the UK.

'Additionally, the plethora of incredible salvation stories throughout the land are matching up to the research being released. It definitely feels like we are in a new season of openness to the gospel & I hope & pray that any further research tells this story. For now I’m praying for the Bible Society team as they process this challenging news.'
 
 
Krish Kandiah, founder of the Sanctuary Foundation, said, 'It was my honour to help launch The Quiet Revival report last year. At the time, I said it reflected what I’m seeing across the UK: a growing social permission—especially among young people—to talk about faith.

'You can see it in culture. People like Tom Holland and Louise Perry speaking more openly about Christianity’s influence. Footballers like Eberechi Eze making the sign of the cross, or Alisson Becker taking his Bible to games. Even in politics, it seems some parties think faith has real electoral salience.

'I’ve always thought “revival” is an interesting word. Traditionally, it describes believers whose faith comes alive again. What we’re seeing feels slightly different—more like a renewed interest among those who didn’t previously have faith.

'So perhaps this is best described as a “quiet revival of interest.”

'Today, Bible Society acknowledged the original survey data was flawed. I really respect their openness and transparency. They acted in good faith, and I trust the integrity of the team.

'It’s also important that YouGov have taken responsibility.

'For me, this doesn’t cancel what many of us are seeing—more openness, more curiosity, more conversation about faith.

'I’m glad a new report is coming. I look forward to seeing what it shows.'
 
 
 Statement from London Institute of Contemporary Christianity:

'While it's disappointing to learn that the data supplied by YouGov for the Quiet Revival report was flawed, we recognise that YouGov has taken full responsibility. We are grateful for the thorough, thoughtful way Bible Society has responded. Their response sets an example.

'Although questions remain about the original dataset, the bigger story of a growing spiritual openness, growth in churches, and an increasing appetite for discipleship, is supported by other evidence – not least the thousands of testimonies from those on the ground.

'We welcome Bible Society’s new report, 'The Quiet Revival: One Year On', which draws on a broader range of sources to build a more robust and up-to-date picture. We also look forward to their forthcoming comprehensive survey in the autumn.'
 
 
Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of Humanists UK, said, 'This is both validation and vindication. We need to be absolutely clear: there is no revival of Christianity in Britain. For almost a year, Humanists UK has taken a rational, evidence-based approach, repeatedly and rigorously explaining why the Bible Society’s claims do not stand up. They chose not to engage with that evidence.

‘Much of the damage has already been done. Global media reports have too often and wrongly jumped on the bandwagon of a supposed Christian revival in the UK. That must stop. At a time when truth in these social questions has never been more politically important, everyone has the obligation to be rigorous in their presentation of data in the public realm and the claims they make for it.

‘The UK is not a Christian country, and our politics must reflect that. If we fail to recognise the plural and mainly non-religious nature of our society, not only will we be living a lie as a country, we will be undermining our ability to work for peace and cohesion in our diverse society.’
 
 
Pastor Jonathan Oloyede, Founder and CEO of the National Day of Prayer and Shine Your Light national evangelistic initiative (of which Bible Society is a partner).

'We were naturally concerned to learn that, due to human error, “significant parts of YouGov’s quality control technology had not been used” in relation to last year’s Quiet Revival report. Nevertheless, the wider conversation the report sparked reflected something many of us have been witnessing for some time - an encouraging and growing openness to faith, and what appears to be a fresh movement of the Holy Spirit stirring across our nation.

'We want to commend Bible Society for the leadership and integrity it has shown in bringing this to the attention of the Church, and wider public at the earliest possible moment.  I commend the new ‘A Quiet Revival – One Year On; what’s your story?’ report, released today, to inspire you of the amazing stories which are happening in every part of these Isles.

'Statistics are, of course, only ever a human attempt to record and analyse an issue, or data. Through the ministry of the National Day of Prayer and Worship, and specifically Shine Your Light, we are in partnership with over 2,500 UK churches and groups who have consistently reported to us amazing acts of God.  The incredible increase in numbers of the last few years engaged in street level evangelism and outreach show that there is a spiritual shift and appetite for the Gospel and the Bible.

'Whatever the data process failings announced, it is abundantly clear to us – and our partner churches – that a new move of the Holy Spirit is happening across the UK and we rejoice in that.

'Over the next few weeks, as it is launched, I want to personally encourage every Leader and Intercessor to take part in Bible Society’s new initiative, a ‘Quiet Revival Story Bank’ , a dedicated space on their website, where you can upload stories from your local churches so that we can testify further to what the Lord is doing.

'I ask the whole UK Church to continue to pray for the ministry and work of Bible Society, the leadership of the organisation, and specifically the Research Team. In these challenges, may the Lord be ultimately glorified as He is the one at work in our midst and again, we rejoice!'