More than 30,000 ‘VIPs’ are set to grace the red carpet leading to 3,000 local churches next Sunday (28 September) following a mass co-ordinated effort led by the Church of England to encourage churches to offer an extra-special welcome to newcomers and ‘returners’.
This week, bishops across the country will be extending a special invitation to all the people who used to go to church – but have stopped for whatever reason – to come back this Sunday, Back to Church Sunday. Their efforts will be supported by thousands of churchgoers doing the same, asking back friends and neighbours to rediscover their local church community with a ‘VIP’ invitation card.
The simple idea of extending a personal invitation back to church on a particular Sunday began in the Diocese of Manchester in 2004 and has been growing steadily ever since. Churches in this area will join thirty seven other Church of England dioceses from Cornwall to Newcastle in the initiative – now in its fourth year – totalling around 3,000 participating churches. In addition, Churches Together in Scotland, the Church in Wales, Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed churches nationwide, Elim Pentecostal churches and Anglican churches in New Zealand and Canada are also taking part.
Organisers predict that this year’s event could see 30,000 people return to church on Sunday in the Church of England alone, based on an average figure of ten people returning to each church that has previously taken part in the event. The concept builds on research that recently revealed three million people (six per cent of the adult population) would come back to church if only they received a personal invitation.
Church of England attendance figures have been relatively stable since 2000, with weekly and monthly attendance falling by one per cent or less between 2004 and 2005. This followed two years in which the numbers increased or held steady. The latest figures suggest that around 1.7 million people attend Church of England church and cathedral worship each month, while around 1.2 million attend services each week – on Sunday or during the week – and just under one million each Sunday.
As thousands of churches across the country – and the world – prepare for the special day some 40 churches in the area are planning for extra visitors.
‘People invite their friends on Back to Church Sunday with no strings attached and we know that many people will gladly give it a go,’ says the Revd Paul Rush, the local coordinator of the scheme. ‘It’s just church as normal but with a special emphasis on making sure everyone knows what’s going on and what to do next. Churches vary greatly in style and all sorts of churches are taking part. Loads of people will be giving ‘back to church’ a try, so no-one need fell like they’re on their own. And it’s been shown that up to 15 per cent like it so much they want to come back for good. No wonder Back to Church Sunday has been such an encouragement. This year we’re working hard on improving our welcome even more.’
Research by the Diocese of Lichfield after last year’s Back to Church Sunday suggested that 6,000 people came back to church on that day and that, six months later, between 700 and 900 (12-15 per cent) had become regular members. About a further 3,000 are still in touch with their inviting churches and may have come at Christmas or to a social event.
For more see: www.backtochurch.co.uk