In this, our newest Guest Post, Christian Statistician Dr Peter Brierley discusses his journey to Christianity and a God-given love of numbers that has led to a 60-year-long career.
When I took my O Levels in the mid -1950s I wasn’t a Christian, although I went to church. I was very worried approaching the exams knowing my future depended on them. I got so agitated that my mother asked the doctor to give me sedative pills, which I took with great relief. In those days I went to church, but instead of listening to sermons, I spent the time working out the prime factors in the total of the hymn numbers (as I liked maths).
That was until a new vicar came with such a loud voice I couldn’t concentrate on my analysis! He explained that you have to ask Christ into your life to become a Christian: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock,” said Jesus (Rev 3:20). One Sunday evening I knelt down beside my bed and opened that door.
That was before my A Levels two years later. As a new Christian I read the Bible each day and one day was reading, for the very first time, and with no idea what it was about, the book of Joshua. I read God’s encouraging words to Joshua, “I will not fail you.” Those words jumped out of the page as I read them and I was sure they applied to me. I was able to go into my A levels, perfectly calm, no tablets needed (to my mother’s concern), certain I was going to pass! I did, and got 100% for pure maths!
Part of the exams were scholarship exams and I ended up with a State Scholarship. In the early summer the year I took A Levels, 1957, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that in addition to the already promised 1,850 State Scholarships he was going to award a further 500. Of those 500 I was awarded the 497th! So I went to university to do maths, but in that maths interview I was told, “I think you should do statistics,” so I asked “What are statistics?” “Go to the statistics department and they’ll tell you.“ I did that, passed their entrance exam and ended up with a statistics degree 3 years later, and have been a Christian statistician ever since.
My first survey was to ask people how old they were when they became Christians and how it happened – this was commissioned by Scripture Union (in the light of the Billy Graham Crusades).
In the next 60 years I was to do 1,500 Christian surveys such as looking at the background of people coming to church, how people understand current mission work, and especially 10 large scale surveys. These meant going to every church in England or Scotland to ask how many were attending on Census Sunday by demographics such as age, gender and ethnicity.
I believe God gave me a love of numbers as I have enjoyed doing this work so much (and still do!). I was responsible for a Christian research agency for 24 years doing many different things, and had the privilege of speaking to numerous churches and Christian gatherings.
To God be the glory!
“We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:10)
About the Author
Dr Peter Brierley is a highly experienced and accomplished Christian statistician, completing over 1,500 Christian surveys across his decades-long career.
A published author and respected academic, Dr Brierley has written multiple books on various subjects within Christian research and leadership.
The Founder and Owner of Brierley Consultancy, Dr Brierley believes in strengthening church leadership by providing key data for strategic planning.
Comments