British Millennial Christians are a small religious minority in the British population. As teenagers, this generation was often labelled as “memoryless” in relation to basic Christian beliefs.^[1] By 2019, 70% of Britons aged 18-30 identified as having no religious affiliation,^[2] and only 5% were regular churchgoers prior to the pandemic.^[3] It’s important then, in secular Britain, to understand why this minority continues to practice their faith, what it looks like, and the implications of that for the church.

Faith background

To give context, all 283 participants were asked when they came to faith. 75% reported becoming Christians during childhood or adolescence; 11% in early adulthood (ages 18-22); 10% in their twenties; and 4% in their thirties. Thus, most have held Christian beliefs for a minimum of ten years.

What age did you come to faith?

Regarding church attendance, 93% attend at least monthly. While some were de-churched or from other traditions, most were worshipping in Evangelical, Charismatic, or Pentecostal churches (including evangelical Anglican congregations).

What type of church(s) do you regularly attend (once a month or more)?

For two thirds, their type of church remains unchanged since their mid-twenties. However, women were twice as likely to have changed (40% compared to 20% of men). The reasons were varied, including theological transition, relocation, marriage, or their children’s needs.

How important is your faith?

87% said Christianity was very important, 12% moderately important, and only 1% not very important.

When asked about the personal importance of Christianity, 87% said it was very important, 12% moderately important, and only 1% not very important. Compared to their mid-twenties, half said faith was equally important, while 41% felt it had become more significant. Some of that increase is the result of adult conversion, and a number volunteered that they had entered church leadership. However, for many, faith has apparently grown more meaningful in a life stage with increased responsibility.

In summary, the sample consisted mainly of Millennials whose Christian faith was important to them: either long-standing “resilient disciples” ^[4] whose faith has remained strong or grown over time, or more recent converts who described radical life changes following their conversion. There were a few exceptions, but overall, this group fits scholarly predictions of a small, committed religious minority. ^[5] 

Changes in millennial faith

To understand something of their faith within the constraints of a short survey, participants described it in three words and then explained how it had changed over time. There were three common themes:

Consistency: 32% said faith was a steady presence -“unwavering,” “long-standing,” “persevering” or “habitual.” Some said they were unable to imagine life without it.

Centrality: The same percentage described faith as the core of their identity – “Central”, “everything”, “foundational”, “fundamental”, “an anchor.” It was not just a set of beliefs but a source of rootedness and a way of understanding reality.

Evolving: 37% noted their faith was continuing to develop – “growing,” “evolving,” “ a journey” or “deepening.” Their beliefs were undergoing an ongoing transformation rather than being rigid or static.

 A significant number used language of both stability and flexibility. However, whether one, the other or both, these qualities appear to have allowed them to navigate a complex life stage in a secular context and retain a faith that is sincere and meaningful.

What does change look like?

In describing how their faith had changed since their mid-twenties, a number of themes emerged:

“You realise it’s not about changing the world, it’s about you being faithful to what God’s called you to be.”

A calmer faith: Many, like Rick, reported a more measured and stable faith, a shift from youthful zeal to pragmatic realism. He said, “You realise it’s not about changing the world, it’s about you being faithful to what God’s called you to be.” Another commented, “I am less swayed by dramatic stories and experiences, and more encouraged by celebrating the spiritual elements of what might otherwise appear regular or mundane.” Some missed their earlier enthusiasm but recognised life was just more mundane in their thirties and forties, and faith, while just as important, was now a different shape.

Greater nuance: Participants frequently said their faith had become “less black and white” and was more nuanced. Some put this down to theological study or exposure to different churches, but most commonly it was the result of experience. Beth said, “Life throws curved balls and they challenge your faith. I’m a doctor, I’ve seen terrible things – the grey areas of life. My faith is solid but I’m more compassionate now.”

While doubts and questioning could be disorienting they were not usually destructive.

Questioning: Many described their thirties as a time of growing theological curiosity. Leadership roles and wider reading had challenged and expanded their beliefs. It was interesting that while doubts and questioning could be disorienting they were not usually destructive. In comparison to their twenties where those were often distressing, established foundations made doubts less anxiety-inducing and more part of the journey. For example, “I feel less sure about theology, and have more questions, but am reassured by having deep and firm foundations that mean the questions are ok.” 

“…it’s more important that [a church] feels like the right place, that it feels like family, than we agree completely with all of the theological stuff.”

Changes in spirituality. Trans-denominationalism is well documented among Millennials. Although there may be theological ‘hard lines’ they are unwilling to cross, this and other research indicate many prioritise belonging over total theological agreement. Marie said, “We’ve been to all sorts of different denominations of church. And actually, for us, it’s more important that it feels like the right place, that it feels like family, than we agree completely with all of the theological stuff.” However, many participants did identify changes in the tradition they embraced. Most commonly:

• Historic and liturgical spirituality: Some had grown to value older, more structured, and contemplative forms of Christianity, appreciating the broader church and its traditions.
• More liberal faith: Some moved toward progressive traditions, primarily driven by a commitment to tolerance, inclusion and social justice. For example, “I’m now open to questioning things I thought were definite and fixed when I was in my 20s. I am more open to other faiths and less convinced that ‘there is only one way’.”
• Moderate evangelicalism: the most common pattern in this sample was a transition from very conservative Reformed or Pentecostal backgrounds to more charismatic or moderate evangelical churches. They described seeking “humane” and “safe” congregations with accountable rather than strongly directive leadership.

Other notable changes

Recent conversion: Despite much discussion of the openness of Gen Z (born 1997-2012) towards Christianity, it appears that Millennials are open too. The Quiet Revival reported a significant rise in their church attendance, and the Finding Jesus Report included 100 Millennials who had come to faith in the last five years.^[6] Of the 31 interviewed in this study, seven were recent converts – often after personal hardship or desperate circumstances. Their stories highlighted the transformative power of faith and a zeal for sharing the gospel, particularly in disadvantaged or minority communities. However, conversion had also provided challenges such as the reshaping of values and lifestyle, integration into church community and, in some cases, alienation from former peers and family.

The de-churched: . A small number who completed the survey, and four of the interview participants, were not attending church. Some had ‘deconstructed’ their evangelical faith. Others described social alienation, leadership issues, and value conflicts. None of them considered this ideal. Some were hurt; others were more pragmatic or had found fellowship with those who were similarly inclined. As yet, these participants had not found a church that felt comfortable, safe, or aligned with their understanding of the gospel.

The frustrated: Finally, not everyone described their current faith in positive terms. Nearly a fifth (17%) seemed disillusioned. “Unexciting”, “dissatisfied”, “predictable,” “stagnant” and “weary” suggested boredom. While “shaky”, “unsustainable”, “disenchanted” and “painful” were more acutely challenging. Overall, slightly more than a third (34%) described their faith in mixed terms like

• ‘Hopeful, Mixed, Struggle.’
• ‘Background, Important, Tired.’
• ‘Busy, Faithful, Frustrated.’

Overall

“Despite faith being very important to them, central to their identity and shaping their decisions, many Millennial Christians report not finding it easy in this season of life.”

Despite faith being very important to them, central to their identity and shaping their decisions, many Millennial Christians report not finding it easy in this season of life. Often their beliefs are stabilising, deepening, or developing as they age, but they are very aware of being a religious minority in a secular society. Shaped (as we all are) by cultural values, many report that navigating conflicts between those and their religious beliefs is challenging. While newer believers are enthusiastic about the gospel that has changed their lives, some of those who have practised faith for a long time are bored, or alternatively disillusioned – they have not changed the world, and life is not what they expected. Others, whilst profoundly committed, are simply stretched or physically tired in a demanding life stage. Many described being committed to Jesus, serving their churches to the best of their capacity, but aspiring to a more dynamic faith.

Reflection and discussion

These will not all be appropriate in every context, but are designed to begin helpful conversation after reading Section 1.

• How far do these findings resonate with your experiences?
• How far did your expectations of what a life of faith would look like and the reality of this season compare?
• What have been the most profound things you’ve learned about God and the life of faith in the past few years – and how did that come about/ what helped with that?
• What might an ‘ordinary radical’ faith look like amongst your peers, and how might that be encouraged?
• How might the enthusiasm of new believers help revive the faith of others in our context?

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Footnotes

[1] Sylvia Collins Mayo et al, The Faith of Generation Y (London: Church House Publishing, 2010)

[2] Stephen Bulivant, Europe’s Young Adults and Religion Report  (St Mary’s University London, 2018)  www.stmarys.ac.uk/research/centres/benedict-xvi/docs/ (accessed 01.10.25)

[3] http://www.biblesociety.org.uk/research/quiet-revival/ (accessed 01.10.25)

[4] David Kinnaman, Faith for Exiles (Baker Books, 2019)

[5] Stephen Bulivant, Europe’s Young Adults and Religion Report  (St Mary’s University London, 2018)  www.stmarys.ac.uk/research/centres/benedict-xvi/docs/ (accessed 01.10.25)

[6] Ruth Perrin and Joe Warton, http://www.eauk.org/resources/our-resources/reports/finding-jesus/ (accessed 01/09/25)

Photo by Brandon Morales on Unsplash