Local Authorities Praise Work of Faith Groups

Wednesday June 12 2013

Churches and other faith groups are of huge value to local communities, but more needs to be done to improve relationships between them and local authorities (LAs), according to a new report launched yesterday.

‘Faith in the Community’, produced by the Evangelical Alliance and Christians in Parliament, is the result of a survey of all LAs in England, Wales and Scotland. It illustrates the range of activities done by faith groups – from food banks, debt advice centres, the Street Pastors and running libraries and post offices to dog training, astronomy classes and anger management.

Around a third of LAs responded altogether, with estimates of the percentage of community and voluntary work carried out by faith groups ranging from one per cent to 70 per cent. One large London authority reported over 100 different services provided by faith groups.

Many councils praised the tireless work done by faith groups. They commented on the ability to reach the furthest corners of some of the most deprived communities. The ability of churches and other faith groups to mobilise volunteers in a way that other parts of society might not was also noted, as was the valuable physical presence of buildings for wider community use. Several responses specifically noted the way beliefs motivated action and made churches obvious partners in their work.

However, problems were reported in the relationships between churches and LAs. Often council cutbacks had affected capacity to engage with faith groups, and sometimes the faith groups themselves were over stretched – or in a couple of cases too focused on internal church matters. For those faith groups providing statutory services there are essential legal requirements, but often bureaucracy was a major hurdle. Some structures were incomprehensible and would provide a significant disincentive for faith groups eager to partner with their local authority.

The biggest barrier for the authorities is fears and perceptions about what faith groups might do. Some expressed concerns that services might be offered exclusively to people of their faith, that faith groups might be against equality or that they might use the service to evangelise.

The report accuses central Government of ‘abdicating their responsibility in not providing guidance to local authorities on how to develop religious literacy’.

“If they are serious about renewing civil society they need to do more to understand those who are most active at the heart of it,” it adds.

Read the full report here.

Post Tags: evangelical alliance, church in community, volunteering

Comments

J Taylor - Thursday, June 13th, 2013

“Prime role of the church is the great commission \'Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel\' that means they evangelise. Not through preaching but their good works. Changing peoples hearts wil do more for communities than politics has ever done.”

Add a reply

All fields are required. Email address will not be published.