Church of England parishioners are to be asked to consider whether it is important to meet on a Sunday in a report warning they must find new ways of reaching non-believers.
Society is now “second or even third generation pagan” once again, and the Church of England cannot simply ask people to remember their long-held but dormant faith, the study entitled Mission-Shaped Church said.
The Christian story is no longer at the heart of the nation, and although people may identify themselves as Christian in the national census, for the majority that does not involve belonging to a worshipping community, the report said.
It further warns that it is “not an understatement” to say that overall the Church of England is not “holding, winning, or disciplining young people” with fewer than one quarter of all babies born now baptised in the Church of England.
“The reality is that mainstream culture no longer brings people to the church door,” the study said.
“We can no longer assume that we can automatically reproduce ourselves because the pool of people who regard church as relevant or important is decreasing with every generation.”
The study, which looks at the phenomenon of “church planting” – founding new churches – is to be presented to the Church of England General Synod for discussion next month.
It recommends discussion in local Church of England leadership groups with members examining questions such as whether it is important for a church to meet on Sunday alongside factors influencing church attendance.
Some funds currently spent by the Church Commissioners on the support of bishops and cathedrals should be switched to mission development work, according to a consultation document.
The working group of the Archbishop’s Council and the Church Commissioners recommends the creation of a six-year grant scheme for mission development work.
The fund would have at least £9 million by 2010, made up of £3.5 million of existing parish mission funds and switching some Church Commissioners’ money currently channelled into supporting bishops and cathedrals.
The document will also be debated next month by the General Synod.