Young adults are joining churches - here's why

A new report shows that young adults in the UK today are approaching faith as a source of emotional wellbeing rather than social inheritance.

Published by the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life, the report demonstrates a shift from inherited to personal experience of faith in 18-34 year olds. The results from a survey of 2,000 adults who said they had experienced a change in their beliefs highlight some significant insights into why people are moving towards or away from faith and religion.

The report shows that 40 per cent of 18-34 year olds are pursuing faith or changing religion due to a desire for personal growth or healing. Additionally, more than a quarter of people in that age group identified mental health as a key element of their journey towards faith. In contrast, only 16 per cent of people over the age of 35 consider mental health to be a significant part of their faith journey.