Logo

 

Banner Image:   National-News-banner-Purple
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet


The UK Church in Action 


Only one quarter (26 per cent) of the population believe the church is 'good for the community', with many remaining indifferent or uninformed about the role it plays at a local and global level, despite a swing towards social justice ahead of evangelism over the past decade


UK Church in ActionThese are among the findings of The UK Church In Action, which was commissioned by World Vision UK in partnership with research firm Barna Global. 

The report was launched on Thursday (24 May) at Lambeth Palace to a group of church leaders and charitable organisations, and is intended to be used as a resource for churches to assist them in engaging more deliberately in social justice and identifying clear mission goals, both locally and globally.

The study is among the most comprehensive examinations of the general public’s attitudes towards the church and surveyed 2,054 British adults, 1,170 active Christians as well as 302 church leaders from various denominations.

The report aimed to explore not only the role of the church in modern Britain, but faith leaders' attitudes toward mission and social justice and the importance of mission within the church context.

The UK Church in Action showed how church leaders had perceived a swing towards social justice over the last decade, ahead of evangelism, in the context of mission. In the future, the leaders surveyed in the report believe there needs to be much more of an equal importance between the two.  

The report found that UK church leaders primarily associate “social justice” with advocacy or “working for the common good of others” and that they overwhelmingly believed it to be a crucial component of the church’s mission. Many identified “poverty assistance” as the top way in which they hoped their church would pursue social justice.

It found that approximately one third (31 per cent) of the UK population struggle to identify the needs the UK church should meet.

For those who did see a role for the UK church, many identified working with the elderly and supporting those who are homeless as areas in which faith communities could provide a useful contribution.

UK Church in Action shift towa

David Kinnaman, co-founder of Barna Global said, 'We have noted a growing trend to define the mission of the church less exclusively about evangelism, but increasingly to include social justice and working for and with the poor and the marginalised.

'This study has highlighted that, while churches are prioritising social action and often delivering on those priorities, their efforts are not always widely recognised by the wider population.'

Tim Pilkington, CEO of World Vision UK said, 'The launch of ‘The UK Church In Action’ marks an important moment for the church in this country. The report shows us that over 60 per cent of Christians want to know more about global mission but many of those outside the church are unaware of the good work being done.

'We are encouraged that churches are keen to engage in social justice and World Vision welcomes the opportunity to partner with the church in the UK so that together we can equip Christians and inspire non Christians around the social justice agenda they care about.

'At World Vision, we believe in God's unconditional love, and we want to reflect this love in all that we do.'

 

Baptist Times, 25/05/2018
    Post     Tweet
Pictorial record of Baptist churches and chapels hits three figures
There are now 100 images of Baptist churches and chapels on a special page of the Baptist Historical Society website - and the Society would like this to grow further, it explains
'An excellent prompt for some important and encouraging conversations'
An account of a reading and reflection group created to help men be better allies in the wake of Project Violet
The Psalms and Hymns Support Fund - 100 years of help
April marks the centenary of the founding of a small Baptist charity that has been able to offer support in later years to those who have lived sacrificially in serving the Lord and his people and mission. By Ian Millgate
Baptist Assembly 2025 to begin a journey towards a national resolution on mission
Baptists Together Mission Forum will offer a resolution about mission aimed to inspire, unite and release us into God’s purposes
Baptists and Communion: Baptist Theology North 2025
Baptist Theology North, a one-day consultation which took place on 28 March, was packed this year, writes Sally Nelson
Churches ‘dismayed’ by the police raid on a Quaker Meeting House
Churches Together in England General Secretary Bishop Mike Royal has written an open letter to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner requesting a review and a meeting to prevent such an incident happening again
     Latest News 
    Posted: 07/01/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
     
    Text Size:  
    Small (Default)
    Medium
    Large
    Contrast:  
    Normal
    High Contrast