Churches across Lancashire are being urged to prepare for people returning to Christian faith, as the Diocese of Blackburn moves from its decade-long Vision 2026 strategy to a new programme focused on evangelism, discipleship and leadership.
Rt Rev Philip North, the Bishop of Blackburn, made the appeal during the Diocese of Blackburn’s October 10 synod. He said churches were seeing new families, young adults and people who had first explored Christianity online begin attending services. Adults were also joining children at confirmation services, he said, describing the trend as an increasingly common story across the county.
North connected Lancashire’s reports with signs of renewed Christian interest elsewhere in Europe, including large crowds at events during Pope Leo’s recent visit to France and an increase in adult baptisms. He cautioned Christians against accepting a narrative of unending decline and called on churches to welcome people who are seeking faith rather than simply maintaining existing activities.
The comments came as Blackburn Diocese prepared to launch Joyful Followers of Jesus in November. According to Christian Today’s report on the synod address, the new vision was developed over two years and will focus on helping people know Jesus, inspiring children and young people, sharing the Christian faith and developing Christian leaders. Parishes are also expected to appoint “Prayer Enablers” to help put the strategy into practice.
The new programme follows Vision 2026, the diocese’s previous strategy, whose results were reviewed at a synod meeting reported by the Lancashire Telegraph. The diocese said the initiative helped create more than 200 new congregations, maintained clergy numbers, expanded ministry among children and young people and secured more than £30 million in national church funding.
North said the earlier vision had brought some people to faith who otherwise might not have encountered Christianity. The Diocese of Blackburn is scheduled to launch Joyful Followers of Jesus at its next synod meeting at St Michael’s School in Chorley, setting the direction for the diocese as it moves toward 2027 and beyond.