As a priest in the Church of England, like many others, I have been encouraged by the Bible Society’s report about The Quiet Revival, which shows Generation Z’s interest in Christianity. I am particularly excited now to have seen the Evangelical Alliance’s newly released Finding Jesus report showing society awakening to exploration of faith across all ages because in our The Bereavement Journey® support programme we have been seeing this now for almost two years.
The Bereavement Journey® is a seven-session, church-based support programme of films and discussion for adults to process grief, where the first six sessions offer a safe space to reflect and connect with others, and the final seventh session is optional, offering an opportunity to explore faith questions arising in bereavement from a Christian perspective.
Since updating the course in September 2023, the programme has taken off. Extending mostly by word of mouth, it has spread to over 430 locations across the UK and is growing at a rate of two new locations a week, due to its potential for mission.
A recent independent analysis of the first 162 locations has proven what we have been hearing – that there is great interest from outside church, covering all age groups, and with a large majority of people choosing to attend the optional session on faith, including Generation Z attending at 100%. Importantly, 90% of course leaders report some or all of their participants wanting to stay connected with the church afterwards, with many expressing interest in exploring faith further, being baptised or confirmed. This course is run across a wide range of denominations across all areas of the UK, including many of CTE’s national Member Churches – Baptists, Elim Pentecostals, Methodists, Vineyard Churches and the Church of England, and joint church initiatives.
Why is The Bereavement Journey® so effective?
The Finding Jesus report shows that a difficult or painful experience, needing help with life, and looking for meaning are the top three prompts for exploring faith – and that offering time, patient discussion, authenticity of example, hospitality and practical kindness are the factors that help. These are the main drivers of bereavement and components of The Bereavement Journey® programme. The report also describes ‘a picture of people having an encounter with God privately’ with the two main prompts for coming to faith being an experience of God and reading the Bible – which are specific opportunities offered in the faith session at the end.
Also, bereavement especially resonates with the current spiritual awakening as no matter what the age of the person or their prior position on faith, when someone important dies, almost everyone wonders about God and hopes for something better beyond.
Furthermore, grief support is now being sought after many years of social taboo with particular openness to churches offering help. Research by the Church of England Life Events Department after the pandemic showed more than 90% of the population are open to church help with grief, despite the decline in church funerals.
There’s no doubt we are in exciting times, where God is at work drawing people to himself, and in The Bereavement Journey® this can be particularly seen. Wonderfully, this isn’t just about Generation Z and the Church of the future, but a revival for the Church of today.
Find out more about The Bereavement Journey® and purchase the resources.
Download The Bereavement Journey® impact report.
AtaLoss and the Bible Society are both Charities and Networks in Association with Churches Together in England.
Rev Canon Yvonne Tulloch is an Anglican Minister and the Founder and CEO of AtaLoss, the charity that runs The Bereavement Journey®. She was formerly Canon for Mission at Coventry Cathedral and a Board member of Fresh Expressions. Since 2010, following her first husband’s death, she has devoted her time to developing bereavement support, which she now recognises as the ‘next chapter’ of her mission-focused call.