Faithworks welcomes the recognition that churches are “agents of change,” who play a vital role in strengthening communities, in the government’s Third Sector Review report this week. The clear commitment to maximizing the distinctive contribution faith groups make in building a better world is also very encouraging.

However, there is still a pressing need for the Church to be better equipped, envisioned and resourced to rise to the challenges and opportunities we are being presented with. Faithworks is offering Christians the opportunity to get to grips with what it really means to be Change Agents, at its 2007 Conference this November.

Change Agents: Sustaining Transformation takes place in London on November 1-3, and aims to equip and encourage churches to approach the challenges affecting their local communities in creative, courageous and professional ways. 

The report said:
“Research on the contribution of faith groups has found that they can contribute to communities by acting as a catalyst for the formation of networks, as welfare service providers, as participants in partnership structures and as a basis for a community coming together around a particular issue.”

Change Agents: Sustaining Transformation will include inspirational teaching from visionary leaders to help churches and Christian groups to contribute to their communities in these ways. Speakers include the Right Revd James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool, Rev Joel Edwards, leader of the Evangelical Alliance, Steve Chalke MBE, founder of Oasis and the Faithworks Movement, and Fran Beckett OBE, CEO of the Church Urban Fund.

Based at City Temple, a large community church in the Holborn area, Change Agents: Sustaining Transformation will also include practical seminars led by proven practitioners in community development. Leaders of these include the Church Urban Fund, who will look at lessons that can be learned from social enterprise, and the Shaftesbury Society, who will examine the practicalities of effective community development, from good research to partnership working.

Churches and projects that are already making real and sustainable differences in their communities will also be celebrated. These include Open Door –Tyneside, the only agency that works with failed asylum seekers in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and One25, run by a consortium of churches that work with prostitutes in the St Paul’s area of Bristol.

Malcolm Duncan, Leader of the Faithworks Movement, said the conference provided a real and timely opportunity for churches to be resourced to demonstrate their contribution to building community:

“It is hugely encouraging to see government’s growing recognition of the role that faith groups play in building our communities, and their ongoing commitment to strengthen their support of that work,” he said.

“Every day, churches and Christian projects are positively working out their contribution to civil society in 21st century Britain. While many are debating whether or not God is on the agenda, we are confident that He is not only on the agenda but that He is at the heart of it, bringing social and spiritual transformation through the sacrificial, practical love demonstrated by his change agents on the ground.”

Other speakers include: Shane Claiborne, founder of the Simple Way Community in Philadelphia, Dr Patrick Dixon, a successful entrepreneur and leading futurologist, Andy Flannagan, former head of worship with Youth For Christ and social activist, and Joy Madeiros, Faithworks Public Policy Director.

Change Agents: Sustaining Transformation opens at 4pm on Thursday November 1, and will conclude at 2.30pm on Saturday November 3. Special accommodation rates are promoted on the Faithworks website. Group bookings and a limited number of sponsored places are also available.