Anglicans urged to invest in growth

THE CHURCH OF England needs to promote “numerical growth” and reach out to the world through digital and social media, according to a strategy paper written by the archbishops of Canterbury and York, writes Christopher Lamb.

Archbishops Justin Welby and John Sentamu point out that Church of England attendances have declined by 1 per cent a year over recent decades and its age profile is higher than the national population.

They also explain that while ordination rates have held up, around 40 per cent of parish clergy are due to retire over the next decade.

The paper, submitted ahead of a discussion on the renewing of the Church in preparation for next month’s General Synod in London, says funds should be given to projects that “have a bias to the poor and a commitment to spiritual and numerical growth”.

It states: “If the Church of England is to return to growth, there is a compelling need to realign resources and work carefully to ensure that scarce funds are used to best effect.”

Maintaining church buildings are a heavy burden, the archbishops’ add, and there is currently “no central investment” in digital or social media. A series of papers are to be released on the question of church renewal.