St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

Church Survey UK

An interdenominational "Church survey" was launched in the press and media recently, aiming to identify why church-going is declining in Britain and Ireland, in contrast to most of the rest of the world where it is growing. We've been asked to print it, and to ask you to reply with your thoughts. It is hoped that the results will form a working document to enable congregations, clergy and church organisations to respond better to the spiritual needs of those around them.

It may be a surprise, but no satisfactory answer has been found to explain this religious trend in Britain and Ireland:

It isn't that church attendance declines when scientific knowledge increases. The USA is the most advanced scientific nation on earth, and yet in some States almost 50% of the population attend church regularly. And lots of NASA scientists are also regular churchgoers.
It isn't that the decline is the inevitable result of growing wealth. For America is also the richest place in the world.
It isn't that increasing awareness about "world suffering" is putting people off "the church". Church-going is often strongest in those parts of the world where major suffering is a daily fact of life.

Until recently, "church" was an integral part of "British culture". Now it's just hanging on. Why?

You are invited to write in with your answers, and to ask others to do so too. Please write to: Church Survey UK, The Rev J Willans, The Vicarage, Clayhill Road, Leigh, Surrey. RH2 8PD.

SURVEY QUESTIONS

1) If you attend church regularly, what are the main things which encourage you to attend? If your attendance is merely out of a "sense of duty", what could be changed so as to make it more appealing?

2) If you were a church-goer, but now attend infrequently or not at all, what were the main things which led to this decline? What could be changed in order for you to attend regularly again?

3) If you have never been a church-goer what things would encourage you to begin?

4) The traditional custom of "clergy visiting" has steadily declined in spite of the maxim, "a house-going minister makes a church-going people". Although a combination of factors will have led to dwindling congregations, do you think the demise of this customary role is significant?

The organisers of Church Survey UK want to thank you for your time if you do reply to this survey. (You also welcome to send us a copy of your reply - or even write a letter to The Link.)

John Hartley

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. March 2004, Page 8.
Home Page. Index of articles: by subject, by date. In this issue: (March 2004) Vicar's letter, Lent Course, New Hospital, Church Survey, Not the Sabbath? Annual Reports.	Church Survey UK An interdenominational "Church survey" was launched in the press and media recently, aiming to identify why church-going is declining in Britain and Ireland, in contrast to most of the rest of the world where it is growing. We've been asked to print it, and to ask you to reply with your thoughts. It is hoped that the results will form a working document to enable congregations, clergy and church organisations to respond better to the spiritual needs of those around them. It may be a surprise, but no satisfactory answer has been found to explain this religious trend in Britain and Ireland: It isn't that church attendance declines when scientific knowledge increases. The USA is the most advanced scientific nation on earth, and yet in some States almost 50% of the population attend church regularly. And lots of NASA scientists are also regular churchgoers. It isn't that the decline is the inevitable result of growing wealth. For America is also the richest place in the world. It isn't that increasing awareness about "world suffering" is putting people off "the church". Church-going is often strongest in those parts of the world where major suffering is a daily fact of life. Until recently, "church" was an integral part of "British culture". Now it's just hanging on. Why? You are invited to write in with your answers, and to ask others to do so too. Please write to: Church Survey UK, The Rev J Willans, The Vicarage, Clayhill Road, Leigh, Surrey. RH2 8PD. SURVEY QUESTIONS 1) If you attend church regularly, what are the main things which encourage you to attend? If your attendance is merely out of a "sense of duty", what could be changed so as to make it more appealing? 2) If you were a church-goer, but now attend infrequently or not at all, what were the main things which led to this decline? What could be changed in order for you to attend regularly again? 3) If you have never been a church-goer what things would encourage you to begin? 4) The traditional custom of "clergy visiting" has steadily declined in spite of the maxim, "a house-going minister makes a church-going people". Although a combination of factors will have led to dwindling congregations, do you think the demise of this customary role is significant? The organisers of Church Survey UK want to thank you for your time if you do reply to this survey. (You also welcome to send us a copy of your reply - or even write a letter to The Link.) John Hartley
Top of page.	This web page was last updated on 1st March 2004.