More than 17,000 people are expected to return to church in September as Back to Church Sunday expands to take in 1700 churches across England. Resources to invite a friend Back to Church and to welcome them on Sunday, September 30th are now being delivered to more than one in 10 of the Church of England’s churches.

With 19 dioceses taking part this year, the 1700 churches involved is a tenfold increase on the 160 churches that took up the venture when it began, in Manchester, in 2004.

Participating dioceses coordinate the delivery of resources and will be running ‘welcome workshops’ for local churches throughout the summer. This year, the dioceses involved are Bath and Wells, Birmingham, Blackburn, Chelmsford, Chester, Coventry, Derby, Ely, Exeter, Guildford, Lichfield, Manchester, Oxford, Peterborough, Ripon and Leeds, Rochester, Southwark, Southwell and Nottingham and Wakefield.

On past records, participating churches welcome back an average of 10 former worshippers each, meaning that 17,000 people could come back to church in one day in September; equivalent to one per cent of the total monthly attendance of the Church of England.

Recent research* revealed nearly three million people would consider going to church with ‘the right invitation’.

The Bishop of Manchester said: ‘Inviting people into church is as important as taking the Gospel out to them. With three million ready to consider a personal invitation, the growth of Back to Church Sunday could prove one of the most effective aspects of the Church's witness.’

The venture is sponsored by Traidcraft, who print and pack the resources and are sending them to participating churches this week. Resources include posters, invitation, balloons and welcome team tee-shirts.

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Notes to Editors

More information about Back to Church Sunday at www.backtochurch.co.uk

*A recent survey, Churchgoing in the UK, found that ‘there is a clear opportunity for churches to attract new members by tapping into the 2.9 million people (6% of UK adults) who are likely to go to church in future. The personal touch is a major trigger. A personal invite, family or a friend attending or difficult personal circumstances, are most likely to encourage people into church’. To see the survey click here

Item from: The Church of England