Churches in the 21st Century are opening their doors to the community beyond the congregation and delivering lifesaving services as well as sermons.
An Ecclesiastical Insurance survey asked 541 churches about how they engaged with the local community beyond their congregation.
Among the most popular ways to open their doors to locals was by churches putting on their own events (85%), followed by hosting external events (64%), running community outreach services (62%), and being a hub for community use (60%).
Of the community events hosted by churches, almost half (49%) ran toddler/baby groups and two in five (40%) ran coffee shops. Scout and Guide groups (30%), youth clubs (30%), concerts (30%), and lunch clubs (27%) were also popular ways for the church to open its doors.
Almost three out of five (58%) said they took donations when hosting, while nearly half (49%) take a fee for rental of their facilities, and a third (32%) made money from the sale of refreshments.
The findings revealed that three out of five (60%) churches said hosting events was a way to help grow their congregation.
Despite the opportunities presented by hosting events, both as a means of growing their congregation and generating funds, churches are still looking beyond this and providing vital support services to the local community.
Nine out of ten (92%) churches stated they believed that churches are a vital community hub – a fact backed up by their willingness to offer services such as food banks, bereavement support, Alcoholics Anonymous groups, Citizens’ Advice drop-ins, and, during winter months, warm spaces for those affected by fuel poverty.
Churches see this as a means of bringing them closer to the communities (93%) they are an integral part of.
This is a fact not lost on MPs who debated the ‘Impact of churches and religious buildings on communities’ in a Westminster Hall debate on Tuesday, 13 May.
During the debate, Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha de Cordova MP, discussed the socio-economic benefits made to local communities by the church, acknowledging how many of the services offered by churches come at no cost to the state.
The MP for Battersea also referenced the National Churches Trust’s ‘The House of Good’ report, which revealed that for every £1 invested in churches, the resulting benefits to society are worth over £16.
Speaking about the findings from Ecclesiastical’s research, Church Operations Director Helen Richards said there were ‘encouraging signs’
Helen said, “It’s no surprise to see churches opening their doors to the wider community and offering services that are so vital to so many people. This has been true over centuries, but with continuing economic instability affecting the country and the cost-of-living crisis putting ever more pressure on people’s finances, these services are needed more than ever and often a lifeline to those most in need.
“What is really encouraging about this is that churches are identifying a way to make the best possible use of their buildings, which are so often at the heart of the communities they’re based in. By opening their doors and reaching out through hosting events and community services, churches are showing they can successfully grow their congregations – as well as bring in vital funds.”
In diversifying their offer to the wider community, churches are able to reach groups that may have previously been a challenge to reach – including younger generations.
Helen continued: “With the recent ‘The Quiet Revival’ report from The Bible Society showing an increase in church attendance, particularly within Gen Z, there is an opportunity for churches to reach a whole new audience.
“By diversifying their offer through events and community spaces, churches can bring more people through their doors and can help them continue to grow and thrive - something we at Ecclesiastical Insurance are really supportive of.”
Ecclesiastical has produced guidance to support churches looking to host events.