Church of England avoids 'church' in new groups
- A new study reveals Church of England's new 'church plants' have refrained from using the word 'church' for over a decade.
- This shift is seen as an attempt to appear more relevant and attract a modern audience.
- The avoidance of the word 'church' may signal evolving strategies in religious organizations.
A recent study titled "New Things: A theological investigation into the work of starting new churches across 11 dioceses in the Church of England" has revealed significant shifts in the terminology used to describe new church initiatives. Conducted by the Centre for Church Planting Theology and Research in Durham, the qualitative study examined the language employed by 11 dioceses over the past decade, during which more than 900 new churches were established. Surprisingly, none of the dioceses referred to these initiatives as "church plants" or even "churches." Instead, the study found that the term "new things" was adopted to describe these new entities, reflecting a broader trend away from traditional church language. The report highlighted that six dioceses preferred the term "worship" for their new projects, while seven opted for "community," and only two used "congregation." Reverend Dr. Will Foulger, the report's main author, noted that this shift in language is prompting a reevaluation of what constitutes a church within the Church of England. Critics, including Dr. Giles Fraser, vicar of St. Anne's in Kew, have expressed concern over this trend, suggesting it stems from a desire to appear more modern and relevant. Fraser described the abandonment of the term "church" as indicative of a misplaced effort to connect with contemporary society. The Church of England has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the implications of these findings.