Food For Thought and Prayer – LENT 2A

There has been much talk/speculation recently, amongst our congregations, about dwindling numbers and some have raised the issue of the need for a Sunday School and confirmation classes … or the possibility of evensong … as a means of reaching the “unchurched” or drawing former members back.

A look at the statistics below shows that things aren’t quite that simple.

1901 2001
Anglican 39.7 20.7
Christian 96.1 68
Other Religions 1.4 4.9
No Religion 0.4 15.5
Not stated or inadequate 2 11.7

In 2001, 82% of persons aged 65 years and over identified themselves as Christian, compared with 60% of 18-24 year olds. In the 2001 census, people in the 18-24 years age group were the most likely to state that they had no religion (20%).

These are the latest figures on religion that I could find, so based on previous trends it is probable that the number of Christians has declined still further (in the last 10 years) and those of no faith will have increased. It seems that a dwindling majority of people over the age of 65 still profess a Christian faith but the figures for young people are far less encouraging.

These figures are food for thought and prayer especially as we consider our “mission” in the wider community.

Many Blessings

Rev Shan