A responsibility to welcome

During the early summer months, many churches see an increase in attendance from families hoping to secure a place at a local Church of England (CofE) school. In my area, this is particularly noticeable because of the reputation of our local CofE secondary school, which is highly sought after and described as "world-class".

I know this can provoke a range of reactions among regular church members. Some may feel cynical about people's motives, while others may wonder whether church attendance should play any role in school admissions at all.

These are understandable thoughts to have. However, I think it is worth remembering that whatever initially brings someone through the doors of a church, they are still placing themselves in a position to hear the gospel.