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chapter 1

changing contexts

This chapter outlines some aspects of the cultural, social and spiritual

environment in which the Church of England ministers in the new

millennium. It explores how we are called to be and to do church, and 

the benefits and disadvantages of existing Anglican expressions of church.

We face a significant moment of opportunity. Western society has

undergone a massive transition in recent decades. We all live in a fast 

changing world. As the Church of England aims to be a Church for everyone

in the country, being truly among them as Jesus was with the people of his

day (the `incarnational principle'), the Church needs to respond to the

changes in our culture. Thus it is important for us to see what our culture

now looks like, so we can see the possible shape, or shapes, of church 

to which God is calling us. This look at culture now will also help connect

church and gospel with the variety of people across England, and identify

where, under Christ's lordship, we should live counter culturally.

social trends in the last 30 years

Each year the Government publishes Social Trends. Social Trends brings

together the conclusions from a variety of statistical surveys.

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Some

headlines from the 2003 version are outlined here.

housing changes

  While the population of the UK has risen by 5 per cent since 1970,

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the number of households has increased by 31 per cent.

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There are 

now more households, but they are smaller in size. The average size 

of a household is now 2.4 people, in 1971 it was 2.9.

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This is mainly

due to divorce, and delay in marrying. The implications of this for the

housing market are dramatic, particularly in some parts of the country.

For example, the number of owner occupied dwellings increased by 

38 per cent between 1981 and 2002.

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  People are paying more in real terms for their houses. The rise in owner

occupation means that repairs and improvements are the responsibility

of the occupier, rather than a landlord. This has led to the rise of DIY in

the last three decades, which is often a Sunday activity.

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