The UK's spiritual condition: Crisis and opportunity

What season are we living in?

Like so many others, I felt disappointed when the findings of the “Quiet Revival” research (commissioned by the Bible Society) were declared as unreliable due to errors made by YouGov who were carrying out the research. The report has been taken down, and many are now understandably questioning what is going on spiritually in the UK? Have we been misunderstanding the moment we are living in?

Yet, as I travel the length and breadth of the UK, I have the privilege of witnessing first-hand what the Lord is doing in communities and churches of many streams, sizes, demographics and contexts. From all that I am seeing, I remain convinced that we are living in a season of openness to the gospel unlike anything I’ve witnessed before. This is not down to any one piece of research or single experience, but is echoed across multiple pieces of research, many local testimonies and countless stories and anecdotes of how the Lord is moving. I am praying that what I am hearing and seeing will only grow and that many more people will meet Jesus in the days ahead.

Often people seem to come to faith at “junction moments” (see picture). Such occasions are when there is a drastic life change (for better or worse) that brings us out of the normal everyday realities of life. E.g. You get married, lose your job, face ill health, experience global instability, move area, lose a loved one, have a baby, etc. Such moments tend to awaken deeper questions in others about meaning, purpose and hope. Right now, we are certainly living in a time marked by uncertainty – economic pressures, global instability and cultural change. In many ways, this is a collective “junction moment” for the UK. Regardless of our own political views or outlook, there is a shared feeling that our previously familiar foundations are shifting. Uncertainty is everywhere.

We find ourselves in a season when much remains up in the air and the certainty we have in Jesus is seemingly even more counter-cultural than ever. Times of change and upheaval are also moments of great hope and opportunity. I remember listening to the Australian pastor, Mark Sayers, and he was encouraging us all that in a time of tumultuous culture change, we need to reframe this entire cultural moment from a profound crisis into a wonderful opportunity.

We the church need to be there for people as they face these moments. Within all this change, and possible chaos, openness to the gospel is often far greater than when things are much calmer and straightforward. This current “junction moment” provides us with a wonderful opportunity to show what is different when we too face this uncertainty, but we do so with Jesus. How does this impact the way we behave? What difference should it make to our sense of hopefulness? How can we help others who don’t know Jesus to see in us the difference He makes? Way back at the start of the Bible in Genesis 1 is the reality that the only thing that truly brings order out of chaos is the Lord. Therefore, let’s pray He does the same in our land at this time. Now is a moment to let your salt bring flavour and your light shine even more than normal. It’s a chance for our faith in Jesus to lead us to even greater holiness and distinctiveness and out of this for many to come to know Him too. We certainly don’t have all the answers and may also be concerned about the future. However, in contrast to the world, we can hold to that often-quoted saying “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.” We can live in the assurance of the presence and plans of God at a time when the nation is struggling.