
‘There are lots of reasons why people stop going to church. They move house, have a baby or simply get out of the habit. Some people feel embarrassed about going back to church after a long absence, but if someone invites them, then they gladly go, and a special occasion makes it even easier.
Back to Church Sunday on September 27, 2009 is just such an opportunity. The idea is to invite friends, neighbours or anyone who has had a connection with church in the past, to a service to see what they have been missing.
This isn’t about putting leaflets through strangers’ doors but rather thinking of who might welcome a heartfelt invitation. This whole idea was first tried in England in 2004. Each year more and more dioceses around the world are giving it a go.
Why? Because the results have been phenomenal! The success of running such an event has been outstanding with churches reporting sustained increases in their congregations of 10 per cent and more. Many churches around the world are preparing to welcome back old faces on September 27 again.’
The Ven. Patricia Drummond, rector of the Parish of New Bandon and Archdeacon of Chatham
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