Religion in England

This morning I saw a 90 second news release covering the state of religion in the U.K. It stated that only 5% of the population attend church regularly. It then reported that in Manchester England, merchandise stores are having pastors from various backgrounds come into the stores as part of a service that they offer to the consumer. The story also noted that these stores were trying to recruit local Islamic leaders too. Is this an acurate description of the state of Christianity in England today or is it propaganda?In ChristJeff

Quote:Is this an acurate description of the state of Christianity in England today or is it propaganda?I am from the UK. I cannot report on Manchester as indeed I haven’t heard of those things you report but would be interested in hearing more about what was said. I can only tell you what I see and hear around me but I can report however that England is in dire straights. We have high levels of crime, suicide, teen pregnancy, unemployment, deprivation and immorality.Church attendance is very low. Sundays are for car boot sales and watching TV. Our children are taught in this land of equality that Jesus is just as important as all the Hindu gods, Mohammed and any other god of any other religion. Many children have never even stepped inside a church and have only heard of Jesus in terms of a baby we celebrate at Christmas. The church is ailing. It is meant to be a light in this darkness but it fails to even glow. It is meant to be a voice to those in need of direction but it is silent. It is meant to lead others into the love of God and instead it points its finger of judgement. It is meant to be a place for those who hunger and thirst, but you leave church even hungrier and thirstier than when you went in.It is meant to be a place of safety but you are shot at by friendly fire if you are even noticed at all.Many have jumped on the bandwagon of Cell/G12 in an attempt to build mega churches. Many of those churches are now failing and either closing the doors or letting the broken, disillusioned Christians quietly out of the back doors so that the failure cannot be seen. The churches lack the presence and power of God. They lack the power and presence because they never hear the call to repentance and holiness. They try to do it in their own strength because they cannot bear to ask God for his help as it is too costly to their flesh. They close their ears to the needs of those who don’t know God and huddle for safety in the confines of the church walls. All around the light is fading in England….It was once a nation that sent missionaries to convert the heathen world and now it stands on the sidelines watching those nations it once took the Gospel to, experiencing revival. It has itself become a heathen nation! We have a nation that is on its knees. Instead of praying whilst it is on its knees it is stuck in its pride and blindness and apathy. A few have started to pray…to seek God, but they are regarded as rebels and non-conformists. . Many of them are now Out-of-Church Christians, waiting for God to bring them back from the desert.When you pray for your nation, pray for England. I leave you with my prayer. A prayer from an English person on her knees.REVIVAL IN ENGLANDWe kneel before you humbly awakened,Pour out your mercy for this nation.We shall cry aloud and we’ll persevere,We’ll soak this nation with our tears.We ask for repentance to flow in our hearts.We ask you to cleanse us and your spirit impart.Lord how we’ve fallen from your grace and your plans,Walls are in ruins and in the gap we now stand.O Lord, pour out revival in England,Come and restore our land.This country needs you as its Saviour and KingWe’re waiting on you hear our cry.

Brother Jeff,if you remember there was a discussion some time ago about the state of Christianity in Europe as a whole ... i'd posted a website that gave stats of the precipitious drop of church attendance and belief in God in W. Euro countries but can't find it now ... But it stands to reason that since the Revived Roman Empire of Western Europe will wind up becoming the seat of antichrist for a minute, that there would be no real presence of God there to stop him ... Western Europe is now secular period, so with God tossed out it can only get worse ... i put in a search "CHURCH ATTENDANCE STATISTICS IN THE UK" and lo and behold the only site i could find with any degree of info is this one apparently listed by some pagan looking Brit named "Vexen" who has probably posted these stats in demonic glee ... i checked this guys stats against some others and they seem to be in sync, altho this site is a lot more extensive ... A word to the squemish tho, stay on the page that comes up and you'll get only the stats on Christianity in UK, veer off and you'll get links to satanism, etc ...Religion in Britainhttp://www.vexen.co.uk/religion/rib.htmlAs an aside ... It was that second so called British invasion of America back in the 60's that brought us their pied pipers of the counter culture back then, so that means they were already ahead of us in the decadence department, but from the looks of things the Colonies have taken up the baton and is running fast with it ... Without a massive rescue of America by Holy Spirit in REVIVAL, i guess it'll be like father, like son ... Huh? ... Please Lord, don't let your Church in America fall any lower than we already have ... Amen

Br. Rahman wrote:But it stands to reason that since the Revived Roman Empire of Western Europe will wind up becoming the seat of antichrist for a minute, that there would be no real presence of God there to stop him ... Western Europe is now secular period, so with God tossed out it can only get worse ... I have thought often about Geneva Switzerland as being the city that most represented Babylon. Think about it, all the ruthless leaders of the past and present store their wealth in a city that protects their treasures. The economic strength comes from worshiping the things of this world. In ChristJeff

Dear wallrepairer wrote;It was once a nation that sent missionaries to convert the heathen world and now it stands on the sidelines watching those nations it once took the Gospel to, experiencing revival. It has itself become a heathen nation! Missionaries from Korea are preaching the gospel in the U.S. You are not alone. Know that there is always a remnant according to the loving mercies and grace of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In ChristJeff

I'll be in prayer for England. I think if I had the choice to be a missionary somewhere, I'd pick England. It'd be nice to at least get to evangelize there some day. I pray the Lord would open doors for such a chance one day.

Last week I heard an Operation Mobilization speaker who said that "Europe was the only continent where the church was not growing".You might like to read this that I also posted today.

Greetings brethren in the matchless name of Jesus!This is a very interesting subject ...It's interesting to note that the major christian denominations in England (The C of E, Catholics, Anglican, etc) are in marked decline, while Eastern Orthodoxy, and Pentecostals are on the up swing ... The following quote from the website i posted explains the rise in Eastern Orthodoxy increasing numbers ...Quote:"The only institutional church which has continued to grow has been the Orthodox Church - Greek and Russian - where demand for churches exceeds supply, mainly because of immigration from Orthodox countries".There's also a increase in Pentecostalism ... Quote:"What demands notice is that charismatic Evangelicals (Pentecostals), still one of the smaller groups in the Church, are growing rapidly - by around 6,000 every five years. Evangelical Christians, according to the nomenclature of Religious Trends, are also growing and moving up towards the half million mark. These last two groups are undeniably success stories numerically." ... which might also be in part to Caribbean and African immigration to England ... i dare say that the rise in Pentecostalism in England may also be due in some respects to the "fire in the belly" preaching associated with it, and the reaction of the hearers to zealous (over to some), active participation in personal evangelism, and the adherents faith (hyper to some) in their personal belief of being "gifted" by Holy Spirt in supernatural aspects, to being used as vessels by Holy Spirit, thru which He can manifest His power in the lifting up of the Lamb of God, and the tearing down of satanic strongholds ... Since our Lord's sending me to a Pentecostal church so many years ago, i have seen a few things that has not set well with my soul, and a few areas where we've difinitely slipped, but i'll never be able to say that even now it's not "active" and downright "exciting" at times ... i can see why since it's inception out of the Azusa St. Revival that it became the fastest growing denom since ... But here in America i'm begining to wonder, without a fresh outpouring of Holy Spirit, how much longer even Pentecostalism will continue to increase ... Pentecostalism has a tendency to set high marks which was fine when the ultimate reward was as it always should be, the pleasing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ... But those high marks are now set to the rewards of health and wealth, and when folk don't recieve health and wealth they drop out ... Jesus make us ALL right with you ... Amen

Thankyou KingJimmy for thinking of England in your prayers. I trust that you will make it as a missionary to England some day.It would be interesting to hear what God is saying to believers about his plans for the UK or his solutions for the UK. So if you are from the UK why not share what God has said. If you are from another nation but pray for the UK why not share what God has said. Let us pray these things through. This nation is in desperate need. Who knows whether God might even lay before us some keys to unlock change? He tells us to ask...let us ask.

we do need help in england

Religion is alive and well.... which one would you like?I guess we can all say that things are worse in our respective countries, but we are told that things are going to get that way.thankfully The Lord is most definatly at work here in the UK state religion is in decline but there are vibrant passionate groups of believers everywhere,you just have to lookchurches alive, loving and helping folk."the glass is half full not half empty" and I believe God will fill when he will :-)

It is probably worst, we need prayer there are good things and bad things this country needs Jesus.

The nations which we used to preach to such as china are sending missionaries back here.

Hi deltadomThe nations which we used to preach to such as china are sending missionaries back here. And why not? God will build his church useing any colour any country any meansfriendships, the internet,the PC, the TV, street preaching But you know the best thing is... HE will do it through... you and me and the chinese,Indian,African, spanishWow just dwell on that for a moment...God is not finished with us here in the motherlandbless you :-)

Delboy you wrote;"God is not finished with us here in the motherland"Your statement instantly brought to mind that as long as we're still down here on this earth and drawing breath God is never finished with any of us, and in particular His saints ... The problem is when we become finished with God, as apparently much of Western Europe has (including England) in it's new religion of secular humanism ...As an American, particularly since our Lord's bringing me to SI for an understanding of the History of Revival and holiness, and all the great Englishmen that God once used in that capacity, i'm most concerned that we America(ns), the Colonies if you will, are now at a critical fork in the road and in danger of veering off down that same broad and spacious that "the motherland" has ... i pray earnestly that God sends America whatever unmistakable wake up call(s) necessary to snap us out of the spiritual lethargy of which we're now victim before we too become in effect finished with God ... Things are bad enough in the States as it is! ... Heavenly Father in Jesus name, if it be your will, please send us REVIVAL NOW!

Rahman,I think that the US is beyound the fork in the road you speak of.I dont think there is a tide of degregation sweeping across the pond.Sadly its everywhere luke warmness abounds in the west.Now as i gather there are mighty moves of God in China and Africa.As said here in previous posts the UK and USA have been moved by god in times past,now He moves in other continentsyes your'e right please God move more and move me.as i write i'm minded of the hymn "move me dear Lord"1)move me dear Lord and others i shall moveTo do Thy will;Mould Thou this life into a vessel fairThysel to fillNo charm with whichto draw do i possessIn thee i find thesecret of success.2_O touch these yeilded lipsAnd through them pourThy living thought;I would not give to hungry soulsthe wordsThat man hath taught;Shall they who seek for bread astone recieve?It is God's word alone thatcan relieve.3)How wonderful a channel thus to beTo those forlorn,A messenger of peace andjoy and hopeTo them that mourn;O grant that i Thy risen life may shareThe virtue of Thy name to bear4)Under th'anointing daily let me liveA priest and king;Relying not on fleshly energyThy smile to winA simple soul in contactwith my LordIn whom all fulness is is forever stored5)O teach me Lord henceforth with thee to walkIn union deepWhilst tending other soulsnot to negletMy own to keep;A seperated soul unto the oneWhose grace and love for meso much have doneE C W Boulton

Delboy you wrote;"Rahman,I think that the US is beyound the fork in the road you speak of"You know in retrospect i know you're right, America is already cruisin down the broad and spacious, we were at the fork in the road in the 60's, altho i don't think she's as far down the pike as Western Europe, which stands to reason since we're only a little over 200 years old, we're just now at the point of where serious legislation is going on as to whether we're completely finished with God ... i don't think there is a turn around for the EU as it has already decided that there is no place for God in their new government or even a reference to Him on their new currency ... It seems to me that while America has certainly regressed to the status of serious lukewarmness, the EU nations have just decided to be completely cold, except for His remnant therein ... God care and keep his remnant there till His coming! ... i guess in reference to Christ stating that He'd rather us be hot or cold, dead to faith coldness must mean that He's given up on the EU as nations to their being now reprobate and well on their way to fulfilling their part in God's prophetic ... What happened to Christianity in England, the land of such onetime firebrands for Christ? ... How did Christianity lose it's savor there? ... Why did the light go dim? ... Was it because the old guard saints died out, or did Christians do the same thing that was apparently done in the U.S. back in the 60's, that being just sitting idly by while God was being declared dead and legislated out of our national lives? ... When i think back about the youth revolution then (which i was a part of) against our parents, and all their then seemingly way to tight moral and religious mores, i suppose that's exactly where satan got his strongest stronghold here in the states and it's been all downhill from there ... Is that the way it happened in England too? ... Don't mind me if you're not a near geezer like myself in answering such questions, i'm just thinking aloud ...Man!, i think this is a good time for ALL us saints where ever we may be, to hit the off ramp and turn around in complete repentance and holiness to our dear Savior ... Do i think we'll do that, not without earth shattering chastisements to get our collective attention ... You ended;"Now as i gather there are mighty moves of God in China and Africa.As said here in previous posts the UK and USA have been moved by God in times past,now He moves in other continents"And i believe still that He'll move in America again! ... i praise Him for His moves in the so called 3rd world, but as long as i (alone if need be) have the breath to pester God about REVIVAL anew in America a pestering Him i will be ... Ravenhill said,"One man with God is a majority", and in this instance i can't be disuaded otherwise! ... Holy Spirit has given me the gift of faith in this regard and so it's easier for me to believe it than most ... And believe it i do!i remember listening to a series here on SI about REVIVAL where the brother stated that history showed that God sent a Revival about every 50 years or so dating from about 1700 ... Apparently the Welsh Revival set the fire to starting in America and we've enjoyed that outpouring all the way up to Azusa St in early 1900 ... The brother also stated that if the nations God sends such Revivals to miss any two in a row then that nation begins suffering serious spiritiual decline ... The last thing he said was that the Revival America was supposed to experience around the 1950's didn't happen, it was but a sputter if anything at all, having a lot to do with America's boom time after WWII ... If in fact that brothers words are true (and God knows how hard i've been praying for them to be so after i learned of this) America is due for another outpouring of God's Spirit in REVIVAL and i plead with Him that He put's it in our faces/spirits so tuff that we won't be able to ignore it ... That's why my prayer to Him is, "Lord God by any means necessary, please do whatever you have to do in/to me, and every other saint in the good ole USA, to the bringing about of your REVIVAL of your Church here, to the honor, glory and good use towards your will being done, and your kingdom coming upon earth, as it already is in heaven ... i believe with all my heart, soul, mind and spirit that the Mother of all Revival's is coming to America, and that it will engulf the globe in harvesting of souls, and by God if it doesn't in my lifetime it certainly won't be because i didn't excessively believe it, beg it, plead it, and shed tears to Father, Son and Holy Ghost toward its fruition ... AmenPS - I've come to the conclusion that the reason why so many modern saints don't like old hymns (and old sermons for that matter) is that they're of substance, and substance "convicts" ...

We all need Jesus

As a resident in the UK, and born again since 1992, I will agree that this nation is in desperate need of a manifestation of the Lords power and grace throughout his Body over here. I will also say that I have often felt disappointed, not with the Lord, but with a failure to live what was being preached by many of His followers. However in the last couple of years or so, I am witness to an amazing outpouring of His Spirit in Southampton, of which town I am resident.This is not to boast apart from anything other than in the Lord, but I feel that what I would like to share may be an encouragement for many.For many years I felt that the traditional church over here was literally dead on its feet, and if anything, any revival at all would stem from the pentecostal type church that I belonged to...how wrong I was!It seemed for ages our little fellowship, without a permanent building of its own, and only a handful of people would never see the glory of the Lord in this city. We prayed endlessly for a breakthrough, that the Gospel would really be preached and the churches here would be set on fire for Jesus. To be honest I don't even know how much we prayed for, any of us really believed...I'm ashamed to say. Most churches were completely opposed to one another, with Freemasonry being strongly present throughout many fellowships. To be honest most churches were dry and crusty, with not a sign of Jesus to be seen!Then in the space of one year, a number of church leaders either moved or died, and were replaced by people on fire for Jesus, and with a desire to reach out to the lost of this city.We still have a long way to go but let me just outline the state of affairs for you now:Our church (an independant charismatic type church), share a church building with the local anglican C of E church, whose vicar is absolutely on fire! The local Baptist ;minister has thrown open the doors of his church for us all to use for baptism services. The two United Reformed churches have been set on fire by a new pastor who preaches the Gospel to anything that moves, and who has linked in with the local Vineyard fellowship who meet in a local school.In short there are seven churches from various denominations in our area of the city alone who meet together regularly, share resources happily, and join together in reaching out to the community with the Gospel.There are not many people being raised from the dead yet :-? , or even many blind eyes being opened yet :-P , but I am witness to a revival in the truest sense of the word. One where Gods chosen people are turning back to Him, putting differences aside, and working together to see Jesus lifted high!I pray that this little flame will spread like wildfire through this nation, and true revival will break out for all to see. With all my heart I pray that Jeremiah 33:9 will be a living reality over here right here and now!!God bless,John (aka Taximan)

I wish there was more of them but as being a bit of a pessimist. England needs Jesus recently I was living next to a few people who really need Jesus. David Wilkenson says that there has been no church growth. I want to see the light at the end of the tunnel. When you are dealing with broken and hurting people this country needs Jesus and I dont want to stop till we see something on the par of Jonathan Edwards or what is happening in China. Recently an evangelist got put in prison for preaching against being unstraight and one of my friends has had trouble on the street when preaching the gospel in the last year. There is hardly any door to door work going on where I am in Hemel or at home, There have been no outreaches in months except the ones that are church does because they are afraid of causing a disturbance. There is alot of fear and unbelief in monumnetal levels in most churches. I go to, but on the other hand you have individuals who deside to go for god 100% like my sister amy who can change the whole of a town or city around. We need more prayer meetings in the bible it says in the last day perilous times will come in england it is the strength and the faith to get through it. I have been a christian along time and I am amazed at the new evil that seems to be appearing especially in me. Jonathan Edwards was sacked for what he believed after the Great Awakening We need might leaders who know there bible and know there past and know there future.

Hi Delta!I can share in your pessimism, believe me! If I hadn't seen the things I have mentioned with my own eyes, I would never have believed it. I know it might sound small to some, but I assure you that to me these steps are nothing less than miraculous!I understand and respect your fervour to see a mighty revival in this nation, however I believe the Lord wants to see a mighty change in the hearts of His people before He allows that to happen.It's sometimes easy to see all the lethargy surrounding you and feel like giving up, but you must remember who you are in Christ. You are no less than co-heir with Christ to all the riches of His Kingdom. By faith you have the right, indeed an obligation, to speak out the promises of the Bible with all the authority of Jesus Christ Himself. The Holy Spirit Himself resides within your heart, and empowers you every step of the way in seeing the desire of your heart realised.Please don't think I am trying to teach you how to suck eggs, I am no teacher. However I encourage you to seek out two or three others with the same heart for Jesus that you have, and meet together faithfully. Seek the Lord for wisdom to reach out to the lost, and for the words to unblock their ears. Pray for opportunities ceaslessly to serve Him, by pouring out your life to those you meet from day to day. I guarantee that if you do these things, and praise Him through thick and thin, you have the power within you to change the heart of the city you live in for the glory of Jesus!Don't give up my brother, just use every ounce of strength to press into Him, and remember that with God ....ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!God bless,Taximan. :-)

Thankyou

We need prayer in England!!!!

I agree with many of the previous posts. Christianity is in dire straights in England. I have traveled there working with a church in Keswick for the past four summers and have lived there for one of those summers and I must say the first time I went I was shocked! Most people have never even set foot in a church. I met a 12 year old boy that refused to go to church with his mom b/c his friends at school thought that anyone who went to church was gay! As I traveled through small towns I saw how most of the remaining church buildings were either museums or car repair shops. Yes, that's what I said! They rip the pews out and bring the cars in the back and use the chapel as a garage! While I was in England one summer a law was passed in Scotland banning parents from spanking their children. Also one time I was there the divorce rate went over 50% in Wales, which was the last Country in the UK to do so. The average church that I saw had around 20 members and most of them would be over 50 years of age. England needs much prayer and support. Most Christian youth in England don't know any other Christian youth so I encourage us as Americans who don't know how good we have it right now (may we take heed lest we fall) to connect with an English Christian and encourage them and pray for them.

In hemel and in canterbury there is no revival. If there was there would be clear evidence of it. To say that the Uk is doing fine would be an understatement. David Wilkenson when he came to the UK he said that churches have become cinemas and things like that and that the churches are backsliding.Not unless a man of god like that is wrong but it is also the daily grind living and seeing the evil in this culture every single day. From music to other stuff?I have to ask the question based on what you have heard from god and what you see in this culture, IKeith Green says that when jeruslam had a revivial the whole city of a population of say 10,000 or more. I do not know the population but I know that saying something wrong to me is a starter for revival you cannot pray and expect a nation or even our town to change. If everything is allright. The problem is that i do not make things up? What is a revival and how do you define it? In the last days it says that there will be a revival but it also says that the days will be dark that there are both extremes. It also says it will be like the times of Noah and of Lot. In Noahs and Lots day the population was evil. Repentance is the only way to turn a nation around and I think I need to do alot of it!! There have been time in this year when I cant handle any more evil stuff to happen and it is normally the time that you pray more that god shows you how he sees your country,not how other people see it. It also says blessed are the pure in heart for they will see god.In argintina the revival hit the whole town noone could move or go to the cinema and an angel came down. I want something to happen but I want to repent and I know this country needs prayer. Because I live in it and I need to pray like Daniel, repent of my own sins which are vast and restore right relationships which I have probably broken and pray for the sins of the nation and be obedient to Yeshua Hamashia (jesus are messiah). I had learnt along time ago that god is allowing the evil in this land to happen he could of wiped us out along time ago bu chose to keep us. God wiped Israel out for sins that are barely insignificant to what we commit nowaydays. The reason god shows us the evil in our land is so we can pray and cry for our country. The gays and other stuff believe me there is alot worse ahead and jesus is only showing us parts that we can handle. I want to see our nation changed and glad when I hear stories of revivals but what is one as I do not know. I have read about them!! God Bless England

I have to agree with you Geraldine! I believe there is evidence all around that God is moving in this nation. Maybe not by traditional church attendance, magnificent buildings, or a number of other signals people seem to want to use. However, a growing desire by many of God's people to seek His Kingdom first, at the cost of denying themselves. This is where the revival starts...with a willingness to serve the King of kings at the cost of denying oneself! SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD....!!As God's people we need to stop worrying and fretting things aren't right with the body and allow the Great Physician to heal us. We need to actively seek out the Kingdom of God in our own lives each day. Commit each day to Him, pray for opportunities to pour out His love from our own lives into those we meet, give our time and effort into serving the needs of our own brothers and sisters in Christ. After all didn't Christ Himself say that Christians shall be known by their love for one another?We cannot make a revival happen, that is in the hands of God, and God alone. However, we can allow the Word of God to transform our minds to know His will and purpose for our lives. We can pray ceaselessy as we go about our daily lives, and do everything we do wholehearteldy and to the Glory of the Lord. We can wake up each day and make the choice to go ahead and do what we know God wants us to do as an individual. We can take a moment to thank and praise the Lord right where we are, even in the midst of all sorts of turmoil. These are the things that will prepare the way for revival. Let the revival start in your own heart, and go forth like a forest fire into the darkness, because this is the light that Jesus talks of us displaying.I pray for revival in this nation till I ache, but each time I do, I feel the calling of the Spirit to first examine myself. To be honest enough to accept that God gave His only Son that I may live, not because I'm any great shakes, but because He loves me. And to find the strength in this revelation of truth to sling out everything in my life that is not of the Lord.As Christians we need to stop looking at the sorry state of the Body in this world, and start asking the Spirit of the Lord what He has to say on the matter. Remember faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of the Lord, and we all know what God has said we can acheive with a mustard seed of that stuff!Just as an aside, I would like to refer to the story of when Peter walked on the water with Jesus. Peter asked Jesus to call him, and as He called him to come, he actually walked on the water towards Him. It was only when Peter looked at the tossing waves in fear that he started to sink.So as an Englishman I thank you for your prayers from the bottom of my heart. But as a Christian believer I cry out to each one of you to listen to the calling of the Holy Spirit on your life, and to single-mindedly follow that calling regardless of the cost. In this attitude you will find true revival wherever you lay your feet! God bless,John.

are there any good churches in England that preach a convicting word of God ? that call for repentance that weep over the nation that have a fire for Jesus - please list any names as we are s-t-a-r-v-i-n-g.please help - any names of churches