To a significant extent, Britain is reliant on churches to reach out to communities and address the social needs of people amidst the financial crisis, a new study has found. The study, conducted by the Church Urban Fund, shows that 6,500 Church of England parishes offer special services to help schoolchildren, parents, new immigrants and the elderly. A total of eight out of 10 said that parishioners use their spare time to informally help those struggling with issues such as isolation, family breakdown, drug abuse, domestic violence or debt. The survey shows that donations given by churchgoers to social action projects have increased by 19 per cent to £342 million in just two years. Andrea Williams of Christian Concern commented: “The Government must ensure that its legislation – whether Charity law or equalities legislation – does not inhibit churches and Christian organisations from carrying out their service whilst maintaining an overtly Christian ethos.

Pray: for legislation to be revised so that Christians can serve their communities as Christians – not in a way that forces them to ‘leave their faith at the door'. (1Pe.3:15)

More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/survey-reveals-britains-dependence-on-churches