Manchester churches bucking national trend of decline

Churches in Manchester are hoping to build on gains in attendance over the last few years as the city continues to buck the national trend of declining Sunday congregations.

The latest statistics from the Church of England revealed that church services across the Diocese of Manchester enjoyed steady growth in both adults and children worshippers in 2006.

In 2006, most churches experienced larger Christmas and Easter congregations, while their Sunday congregations declined by one per cent.

In Manchester, all-age weekly church attendance rose by one per cent from 34,500 in 2005 to 34,900 in 2006. Sunday congregations grew by 1.4 per cent from 29,000 in 2005 to 29,400 in 2006 and adult Sunday attendance grew from 23,000 to 23,200.

The Rev Ian Thompson is vicar of St Margaret's, Burnage, a church experiencing growth in its Sunday services and mid-week activities for all ages.

He shared what he feels to be the secret behind their success.

"We have a vision to be a growing church. We are outward-looking not inward-looking. We seek to be a warm and welcoming church so that people feel affirmed and welcome here," he told local radio.

Throughout 2008, the year of Hope08, St Margaret's is encouraging people to step outside of the church building with the Christian message of hope for the community.