Did you know that there is something of a ‘quiet revival’ going on in our country? Quietly but surely, Christianity (and therefore church attendance) has been slowly growing across the church in England, and surprisingly, it is mainly ‘Generation Z’, young people born between 1997-2012 (12–28-year-olds) who are driving this forward. Whereas their parents were encouraged by a secular society to believe that all truth was relative and religion superstitious, young people are less cynical, and in a dark and chaotic world are looking for something more principled, concrete and certain to guide them, something that will give them joy and hope – and they are finding it in Christianity! This has led to a 50% increase in church attendance over the past 6 years meaning that 12% of the population attends a Christian place of worship once a month. Whereas most of this growth has taken place within Roman Catholic and Pentecostal churches, some have been attracted to Anglican Churches which have clear biblical teaching promoting a profound sense of Christian joy, love and hope.
This is why I would like to warmly invite YOU to join us this Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Christ, in one of our churches across the benefice. Ultimately the nativity represents the start of a hugely wonderful story with vast implications, about a God who, despite the chaotic nature of our world, loves it, and each and every person, so much so that he is willing to literally, physically step into it in the person of Jesus Christ, not as a mighty warrior or conquering king, but as a humble little baby. So that as he grows up, we might have confidence that he knows and understands our humanity, while equally we might grow in faith and understanding as we come to appreciate and accept the wonderfully far-reaching nature of his divine redeeming love. Within our society, Churchgoers are said to report the lowest levels of anxiety and depression which complements so well our confidence in Christ and the hope that we have of him as our eternal ‘Prince of Peace’ (Isaiah 9.6). Please come and be part of it.
Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful new year.
Stephen Thorp.
Isaiah 9.6
For to us a child is born …. and he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
This article was published in the December/ Christmas editions of Parish Magazines associated with the Necton Benefice - Parish Link; Moonraker; The Pickenhams’ Newsletter.
If you would like to support the ministry of the Necton Benefice or make a one-off donation this QR code will take you to the appropriate website - Thank you and God bless
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