“To Boldly Go”God calls us to share in his mission

Past Episodes“The journey so far”

We shared the encouragement we have received from God earlier in

our journey

In good company

“We are not alone!”We thought of others who have

answered the call and gone in faith: Abraham, the early disciples, Paul &

Co., early Congregationalists.

Strange New Worlds

“There be aliens!”We reflected on how much the world has changed around us, and the culture gap between the church and wider society

Britain TodayCulture and Spirituality

Centre for Rural Mission4 Clarence Street, Market Harborough

LE16 7NE01858-414930

www.ruralmissions.org.ukEmail: info@ruralmissions.org.uk

What defines rural culture?

60 years ago• Strong links between

the people and the place.

• Limits to mobility• Self contained• Parochial mind-set• Limited experience• Low expectations

Today• Incomers and

suburbanisation• Physical & social

mobility• Global access• Satellite communities• Wide experience• High expectation

What defines rural culture?

50 Years ago you lived there because… It was “your world”It was where you worked or…You were landed gentry

Today indigenous villagers are in declineIt is a place for a better lifestyle and an

up-market lifestyleIt is also a place of leisure

Spirituality 50 years ago

• Going to church was mostly normal

• Non-conformity was strong

• Non-Christian beliefs/practices were seen as weird

• There was either inherited traditions or inherited traditions

• Faith was demonstrated and measured by commitment to the institutional structures

Spirituality Today

• The Church belongs to us - if we need it

• Church is seen as non-essential to faith

• Marginal and hybrid forms of faith are praiseworthy – only traditional Christians are weird!

• Faith is no longer tied to scripture

• You cannot evaluate or judge customised faith systems. Absolutely no absolutes!

Closed places of worshipMethodist sold approx. 3,000 church buildings 1963-1973.

URC sold 10% of buildings soon after formation in 1972.

Faith in Britain: Research from Robin Gill

ChurchgoersBritain

Non church folkBritain“I agree that ...”

84%

68%

77%

86%

81%

87%

86%

21%

8%

27%

42%

28%

16%

29%

• There is a God who concerns himself personally with people

• Life is meaningful to me because God exists

• Right and wrong is based on God’s laws

• There is life after death/ heaven

• There are religious miracles

• I pray once or more a week

• Describe myself as religious

Gill : Church Going and Christian Ethics CUP 1999: 128

15% at least once a month85% never go

58%

33% 6%

33% 33%

10% 15%

Church attendance downAverage age up

Attendance declining faster than membership

Increasingly middle class

What might give hope?

• God’s felt presence• Real belief among the faithful• Knowledge of the gospel• Confidence in the gospel• Vitality in worship• Cultural relevance in ministry• Concern for the unreached• Evangelistic zeal

Don’t struggle on your own

• Help from other churches

• Area staff resources

• Area financial resources

• National financial resources

• LEAF

• GIFT

• Further training

• National officers

The slides that accompanied the talk were prepared by

Barry Osborne. The various graphs were

downloaded from www.whychurch.org.uk

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