50,000 Christians have also made sure that their voice is heard, both before and after polling day by signing the Faithworks Declaration which calls on all political parties to end discrimination against effective church-based community projects. This petition calls on the Government to recognise, support and practically equip the faith-based community work of churches with a level playing field for their funding applications, and is being signed across the country and within all denominations. Faithworks Founder Steve Chalke and church leaders, including Richard Chartres, Bishop of London and Rev Joel Edwards, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance will present it to the Prime Minister soon after polling day.

Over the past 4 months, Faithworks has been campaigning on behalf of thousands of churches and Christian charities in response to research that indicates one in five feel that their community projects have been excluded from government funding because of their faith basis.  The Campaign’s goal is to highlight the positive and transforming nature of faith in local communities throughout the UK, and call on the incoming government to take policy measures to ensure that faith-based groups are supported in their community work, rather than being treated with suspicion or even raw discrimination.

The Campaign has met with a warm reception from all three party leaders who have asked to meet Steve Chalke to discuss the concerns of thousands of churches, as expressed through the Campaign. Each party leader and officials from the Home Office, Department of Education and Employment, Department of the Environment Transport and Regions and the Local Government Association have asked Faithworks to continue consultations with them after the election. Campaigners hope that these discussions will lead to partnerships that are more productive between government and faith groups in tackling social problems.

“Now is the time for Christians to take action and ensure that their voice is heard in the maelstrom of debate.  Promises and political rhetoric abound, but to ensure that your voice continues to be heard after the hubbub of Hustings, sign the Faithworks Declaration and call on politicians to recognise that faith should be an essential part of any programme for a new Parliament.”
          Steve Chalke, Faithworks Founder

The Faithworks Campaign ‘Hustings Guide’, equips churches to hold develop partnership with their local candidates and to quiz them on the issues that matter. This brief guide was produced in conjunction with the Vote2001 initiative that involves Care, the Evangelical Alliance and Tearfund who are each working to help Christians make an informed choice on polling day.

A copy of the Faithworks Declaration which will be presented to the next Government on June 19th with tens of thousands of signatures, can be obtained via the website at www.faithworkscampaign.org or by calling Campaign Manager Nathan Oley on 020 7450 9050.