78% of people surveyed in a recent MORI Poll said they would support a greater role for Christian churches and groups helping people in need in their area and 67% said they would support more government funding for such groups. The poll was commissioned by Evangelical Alliance for Faithworks and is part of an ongoing research project into the public perception of the role of the Church in the community. 

The detailed research findings are being released and debated as part of the Faithworks Unpacked national tour, which will explore the issues of social justice, local government interaction and best practice.  They also give Faithworks a mandate to call on government for further recognition of the Church’s role in society, which it is now doing through the Keep the Faith Campaign. Over the course of this year the UK Government is working on legislation that will outlaw discrimination in employment on grounds of religion. The campaign is a clarion call to government to ensure that, whilst holding churches and other faith organisations to account over the fair treatment of their staff, it will unambiguously protect their freedom to pursue employment policies which allow them to continue to effectively deliver the services their communities need.
  
The tour will take the Keep the Faith Campaign on the road and is designed to equip, enthuse and resource delegates to engage more effectively with their community. It is aimed at all those in church leadership and those involved in or planning to get involved in community focussed initiatives.

On the day the Rev Steve Chalke, founder of Faithworks, will be joined by leading figures from local government and statutory agencies, to highlight opportunities for churches to work together in local communities with these agencies. Tickets cost £20 and include a copy of the Faithworks Unpacked book and a Wesley Owen book and music discount voucher. They are available from local venues or any Wesley Owen Book and Music store.