Christians should ignore the recent census results, a well-known evangelist says.
For the first time ever, less than half the population of England and Wales identifies as ‘Christian’, the 2021 census has revealed. But J John, director of Philo Trust, has boldly stated: ‘Paradoxically the way to change the census figures is to ignore them, and instead focus on producing changed lives through Jesus Christ.’
The census results showed a significant drop (13%) in those having a Christian affiliation since the 2011 census, with an even bigger decline seen in Wales. However, the results do not delineate between practising Christians and those who are nominally or culturally ‘Christian’.
More than 37% of people said they have no religion while the number of Muslims increased by 6.5% to 3.9m. Should evangelical Christians be concerned?
In a letter published in the Times newspaper, J John said: ‘The plane is descending so rapidly that unless action is taken disaster looms imminently… What is needed is not a stripped-down creed tuned to the prevailing mood of the culture. That will not work: no one goes to church to hear exactly what they get from the media and from their friends and colleagues. What will bring them in and see them committed to the church is the full-blooded, confident preaching of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.’
Responding to the results, Gavin Calver, CEO of the Evangelical Alliance (EAUK), said: ‘Christianity will always be relevant and essential to our society.’
The EAUK’s Danny Webster added that the results represent a ‘great opportunity’ for Christianity. He highlighted two ‘urgent tasks’ prompted by the findings. ‘First, there is the permanent task to make Jesus known, we want people to follow Jesus, we want more people to describe themselves as Christians because their identity has been transformed by Christ.
‘Second, we need to continue to advocate for the positive influence of Christianity in public life… the case for Christianity in public life will be more needed than ever.’
