The Church of England needs many more leaders from working class backgrounds and deprived communities, the General Synod has heard, in a debate where members voted to redouble efforts to establish churches on housing estates.
The Synod re-committed the Church of England to setting up a church on every significant social housing estate, five years on from first giving its backing to this goal.
Members also backed moves to double the number of young active Christians on housing estates and ensure that young people from estates and low-income communities are trained as children’s and young people’s leaders among other forms of ministry.
The Bishop of Blackburn, Philip North, who introduced the debate, called on the Church of England to act now to reverse the “slow erosion” of Christian life on estates.
Work on estates churches has been 'utterly beautiful' in the face of multiple challenges, @BpBurnley told Synod today.
Members voted to redouble efforts to establish churches and double the number of young active Christians on housing estates.https://t.co/dalD9xMkYR
— The Church of England (@churchofengland) February 26, 2024