More going to church due to 'global uncertainty'

Global uncertainty is behind a steep rise in people attending religious services, a senior clergyman has suggested.

Lincoln Cathedral said 6,216 people attended Christmas services last year - up from 4,978 in 2024.

The Very Reverend Dr Simon Jones, Dean of Lincoln, said the cathedral had also seen an increase in the number of people attending Sunday services - particularly young people and families.

He said: "It's an interesting phenomenon, and I have to say, it's not just a Lincoln phenomenon. Talking to colleagues in other cathedrals, other churches, they also saw quite significant increase this year."

Jones said he thinks there are "a number of factors" behind the increase.

"I think one is that there is a genuine sort of spiritual curiosity out there," he said.

"In terms of Christmas, thinking about what's often referred to as the reason behind the season. People want to come together to celebrate that, particularly in buildings with great historic significance.

"If you [also] look out from Lincoln into the world, the global situation today, at a time of uncertainty with increased anxiety - that form of worship, of celebration, has really deep roots.

"I think [this] offers a very particular perspective on our global situation."

He added that the cathedral had also seen an increase in the number of people attending Sunday services - particularly young people and families.

The Reverend Michael Croft, interim priest in charge of St James' Church in Louth, said he had noticed a similar trend.

He said: "What's really interesting is that for a number of months we've seen an influx of new people with no experience, no background in church, and of younger people coming to church. It's fascinating.

"Whilst frequencies of attendance are changing, so people are coming to church less frequently, the numbers of new people appearing at church are remarkably high."

Croft said he also thinks this is due to "issues of observation of the world and wellbeing".

"They're asking their own questions about life, faith and themselves," he added.

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