| The Church lacks credible leaders in the community. The report Moral, But No Compass (News, Comment, 13 June) urged that the Church should take a more responsible part in social welfare, but, since its publication, there have been separate GAFCON and Lambeth conferences, disagreements on sexuality, and a range of other issues that undermine the Church’s ability to lead with authority.
If we are to be taken seriously in society, the Church needs to re-earn the right to speak on its behalf and to demonstrate by our actions that we are committed and united in our intentions. When even the most generous statistics show that far less than ten per cent of the population attends a church service regularly, we can no longer assume that the Church has a God-given right to be at the centre of society.
Paradoxically, in a time of moral vacuum, the Church’s unique place in providing both a lead to re-establish a moral compass and practical services for our communities — urban or rural, real or virtual — has never been more critical. Yet, if the Church is to step up to this challenge, it will require mobilisation on an unprecedented scale, probably not seen since the 19th century.
In serving Christ, it needs to demonstrate actively a united, compassionate, and militant heart, which moves individuals and whole institutions to engage in both church- and secular-based activities, focused on serving our communities. Perhaps the Church itself needs to check its compass.
There are many in our churches who are engaged in community activities, and in local and national politics — some of them in leadership. The Times reported in June research suggesting that more than 50,000 churchgoers regularly help the disadvantaged for church bodies, while a similar number volunteer for secular charities. While this is commendable, it is hardly a significant percentage of those who attend Anglican services each week (never mind other Churches). It lacks a scale of engagement that would truly make a difference. We can no longer leave such work to the minority few.
Whether it means working to be elected as one of more than 22,000 local councillors in the UK, or more active participation in charitable organisations, health and welfare bodies, community groups, business and trade associations, or engagement with the local and national media, Christians need to be much more broadly involved. We need to take part in the range of bodies that shape and communicate public and government policy, if we want to have an effective voice.
The Church must demonstrate that it understands that the most important challenge facing it in the 21st century is not the debate about sexuality, or any of the other internal or peripheral issues that consume so much of its time, but how it can engage in transforming the communities in which it exists through demonstrating a Christ-like fervour and compassion for them.
Our words and actions must be encountered as a movement impelled by the understanding that the message of salvation is as relevant in today’s society as it has ever been. It is imperative this is not confused with some church- based social charter, motivated out of a sense of self-preservation or an inflated perspective of importance.
Some churches have sought to engage with their communities by making their facilities available to secular groups during the week. Even so, the average church’s plant is probably still used for no more than a few hours each week.
Those that are open during the week are often driven by the need to generate additional income, or because of a desire to use weekday activities as evangelistic opportunities whereby participants can be encouraged to come to “proper” church activities on a Sunday.
Neither of these is wrong, but we should not confuse this with a genuine desire to serve our communities. It may not even be a particularly effective strategy for mission. Evidence from one church, which is used as a thriving community centre by 3000 people each week, suggests that very few of those who are not already regular churchgoers are likely to make it over the same doorway to a service on Sunday. This is backed by anecdotal evidence from elsewhere.
If we view our weekday users only as transactions to be added to the temporal or spiritual balance sheet, we should not be surprised when they treat the Church with a degree of scepticism about its motives.
Increasing numbers of those who profess the Christian faith need to be seen as engaged community participants. They should be prepared to stand as trustees of charities engaged in social welfare, youth work, or health support which are not overtly Christian. They should be driving the debate on topics such as welfare reform, social concern, and care for the elderly — not just being asked for occasional input on them. They should be prepared to challenge the status quo. Above all, they should be focusing on enabling people to achieve their God-given potential.
The Church is uniquely placed to respond to those who are seeking a moral compass in their lives, through the truths of scripture, the holy mystery of faith and worship, and the hope we have in Christ. It can do so effectively only if we follow Christ’s example of serving the communities in which we live — prepared like him to interact with and challenge the political, religious, and social leaders of the day, compassionately engaging with people from all parts of society.
This is not just a task for the committed few. We need nothing less than the mobilisation of the whole body of believers, a united body that can have an impact on the world in which we live. As we do so, Christ’s Church will be heard with authority again.
The Revd Dr Sam Cappleman is NSM at St Mark’s and Putnoe Heights, north Bedford. He works as an Alliances Director for a global IT company.
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