There are over 850 significant social housing estates in England in which the Church of England is being instructed by General Synod to engage by planting churches and seeking new church leaders (including ordinands). Frankly I think this in a mission impossible simply on the basis of sheer size of the task.
One can understand why the CofE wishes to engage in deprived areas. The history of the CofE is one of loss to Methodist and Salvation Army churches. The two latter denominations are also in decline and looking to re-engage in such areas. The fear is that there will be competition rather than collaborative or partnership working.
Successful sustainable community engagement in areas of deprivation, that includes individuals who are destitute, are notoriously difficult to achieve. The last thing people want or need is outsider religious do-gooders preaching at them. Building successful community engagement is a very slow process. Trust is only gained over a long period. It is essential that any community group is of the community, with the community and for the community.
In areas of multiple deprivation the church must be seen to be campaigning for change, campaigning that has to be led from within the community. Control must rest with a community group, not outsiders whether as individuals or as representatives of a church.
Nowhere in the General Synod deliberations is there so much as a passing reference to Liberation Theology. The principles of LT are applicable to church engagement in areas of deprivation, indeed are essential. The church, of whatever denomination, is not there only to apply bandages to the wounded but to engage with communities for them to campaign for structural change.
It is a huge undertaking the CofE is embarked on. To achieve its target will require a massive commitment of human and financial resources. It would have been preferable to set a much lower initial target and then build on the experience gained.
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