Scripture Union and Stewardship have joined a UK consortium established to encourage Christians to leave legacies to further God's Kingdom.

The Christian Legacy Consortium already includes the Bible Society, Care for the Family, CMS, the Leprosy Mission, Livability and Tearfund.

Scripture Union and Stewardship were welcomed to the consortium during its AGM earlier this month.

Nicola Johnson, of Stewardship, said that being a part of the consortium would enable Christian charities to work together and share valuable knowledge and expertise for God's Kingdom.

Scripture Union’s Fundraising Manager, Sam Hall also spoke of the significance of Christians working together to communicate the message of legacy giving.

“Leaving a Christian Legacy, no matter how big or small, is so important in order to reach more children, young people and adults with God's Word and his love,” said Hall.

Annette Bull, of Tearfund, welcomed Scripture Union and Stewardship to the group.

"Both have such strong roots within the church-based sector and this further builds solidarity as we all seek to maximise the potential of long-term legacy giving," she said.

Research provided to the Consortium by Legacy Foresight shows that although some 16 per cent of all legacy gifts are faith-based, income from the sector fell much more sharply in 2008/9 to 2009/10 than the legacy market as a whole.

Challenges to the Christian legacy sector are linked to the steady decline in the number of active church-goers in recent years.

“The decline in the number of church-goers did even out last year and our own research shows that Christians are open to the idea of legacy giving,” said Alastair Emblem, Legacy Marketing Manager of Livability.

“We need to encourage and increase church teaching about legacy giving. Research indicates it is taught in as few as 17 per cent of churches."

The consortium has produced a pack, Tomorrow's Harvest, to help churches encourage Christians to leave a gift to churches or Christian charities in their wills.

“The aim of the consortium is to raise awareness of the importance of legacy giving among Christians. Our new church pack, Tomorrow’s Harvest will help churches encourage Christians to leave a gift in their will to churches, as well as considering Christian charities.”

The Tomorrow’s Harvest church pack can be ordered at www.christianlegacy.org.uk