Parish churches could host multi-faith worship in battle to stay open
by Harry Farley, Christian Today:
Parish churches must be available for new and different purposes, including the possibility of multi-faith worship, if they are to stay open, a review is insisting today.
Listed Church of England buildings should transition from being just places of worships to ‘social hubs’ and a ‘community resource’ in order to survive, the report published by the Department of Culture Media and Sport is recommending.
With more than 12,000 CofE churches listed and attendance figures continuing to fall, locals groups are facing a battle to keep parish buildings, described as the ‘jewel in the crown of our built heritage’, open.
The report suggests the buildings be adopted by the whole community rather than just the dwindling congregations who attend them.
Bernard Taylor, who chaired the review panel including figures from the CofE and heritage bodies, told Christian Today parishes could look at the option of allowing multi-faith worship as he warned church buildings were not being used effectively.
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