The Church and Social Cohesion: Connecting Communities and Serving People is the culmination of a major research project commissioned by the Free Churches Group and prepared by Theos think tank.
The research project has consulted with over 360 people in England to assess the churches’ social cohesion contribution on the ground. This vital and ground breaking work has been waiting to come to fruition over the last few years as Rev Dr Hugh Osgood, Moderator of the Free Churches Group, writes, “Some seven years ago I was asked to write a chapter for a book inspired by the then recently formed All Party Parliamentary Group (APGG) on Faith and Society. The chapter was called A Biblical Theology for Engaging with Society.“ This, and the wider social cohesion agenda, laid the foundations for discussions to begin about a longer piece of work, which would include conversations with hundreds of people across England about how churches connect, engage with and serve communities.
As we know from the news, social cohesion has been near the top of the political agenda for nearly twenty years now. Much of the discussion on social cohesion has been about the role of ‘religion’ and ‘religious’ groups in local communities. With this in mind, the Free Churches Group commissioned an eighteen-month research project looking at the relationship between the Church and social cohesion in England. The project has been conducted by Theos, the UK’s leading think tank on religion and society issues. All of this extensive research and pioneering conversations have been captured in a new report and supplementary materials (for churches and for policy makers). And the good news is the report is out now! Now all the work of the last few years can take root and flourish in our churches; it can strengthen how we, as churches, work for the benefit of our communities, fostering and building social cohesion, to love our neighbour.
“For me, our report not only marks how well the Church moves from theory to practice, but highlights the ways in which we can continue to move forward, connecting communities and serving people even more effectively ”
Our Moderator extends an invite to us all, saying, “We want to work together on connecting and serving, using the ‘How to’ booklets we have produced to encourage community leaders to engage with the Church while encouraging our individual congregations to engage with society.”
You can access the report online at:
You can contact us at Free Churches House for printed copies. You could also ask us about articles for your denominational magazines and round-table events for your ministers and teams. We look forward to helping your church network complement and extend the vital work being done in your communities in 2021 and beyond.
During this time of Advent, we are all too aware that as we approach and plan for Christmas, it will be very different for us this year. One thing that will never change is that we will celebrate and mark the Light of the World coming, Jesus Christ. And it is the role of the church to serve God and love our neighbour as ourselves… for it is what Jesus showed us when he walked among us and what Jesus taught us in his life and ministry.
May we have a blessed and peaceful Christmas, however we are able to serve this year, and may the Light of the World light our path and lead us as we serve with courage and in faith in the years to come.
(Cover photo courtesy of Benjamin Muntz)
(Blog by Rev Sara Iles, FCG Media Support Officer & Minister with the Congregational Federation )