Bishop's Campaign to Identify Why People Stop Attending Church

The new Bishop of Oxford has launched a new campaign in the Thames Valley area to bring people back to church.

|PIC1|The Rt Rev John Pritchard, has launched the 'Tell Bishop John' campaign in efforts to identify why so many former churchgoers have stopped attending church.

Based on his findings, Bishop Prichard is hoping to find new ways to draw people back to church, and will look to tie the initiative in with Back to Church Sunday, a separate annual event taking place on 30 September.

Back to Church Sunday is an initiative urging churchgoers to invite friends and neighbours to come to church with them.

Last year around 600 people came back to church in the Berkshire area, according to the Croyden Guardian, thanks to the initiative.

Bishop Prichard said: "We know people fall out of the habit of coming to church for all sorts of reasons, sometimes simply because they move house or their family circumstances change.

"A bereavement, for example, can leave someone feeling uncomfortable about coming on their own. Sometimes people are simply embarrassed because they've missed a few Sundays.

"Whatever the reason, I'd like to try and understand - and to say they are always welcome."

He added: "I hope to hear from as many people as possible, whatever their story. I want to try and find out how we can make our churches as welcoming as possible to all comers, old and new, young and old."

The public has until 21 September to 'Tell Bishop John', after which BBC broadcaster Canon David Winter will quiz the bishop on what he has learned in an interview to be available by podcast on the diocesan website the following week.

People can take part in the initiative by visiting www.tellbishopjohn.com