Leading Christian social action charity Faithworks is restructuring to focus on new ways of achieving its strategic priorities in the current funding climate.

A key aspect of this strategy will be the new Charities’ Parliament, where Faithworks will play a lead role in enabling debate and dialogue between churches, charities, faith groups and government. Based at the Oasis Centre on Westminster Bridge Road, the Charities’ Parliament will be launched later this year, and aims to increase participation by these groups in public life. It will celebrate the vast contribution of local grassroots projects, and be a space to share ideas, develop resources and to work together for positive transformation.  

Malcolm Duncan, leader of the Faithworks Movement, has also chosen this moment to step down from his role as Leader, with effect from January 2009.

“With the development of the Charities’ Parliament, I have taken the opportunity to consider my own priorities and sense of direction and decided that I want to focus my energies and ministry on encouraging local churches across the UK and beyond to remain committed to serving others in word and deed,” said Malcolm.

“I believe that the time has come for someone else to take up the reins of the Faithworks Movement and to steer it through all that is required for making the Charities’ Parliament the success it deserves to be. Faithworks has a vital role to play in helping local churches to continue to serve others. As I step aside as leader, I remain committed to the values and vision that unite all those who wish to make a difference in the lives of our local communities, and I will continue to support Faithworks.”

“I have been deeply privileged to lead Faithworks, daily meeting some of the most inspiring people in the world who make a difference in the lives of others.”

The team continues to be led by Team Director Nancy Doyle.

Faithworks’ restructuring comes as a result of both the new opportunities through Oasis’s acquisition of 75 Westminster Bridge Road, which will become the home of the Charities’ Parliament, but equally the discontinuation of several important income streams over the summer, which have forced Faithworks to reshape its staff team.

While the final structure of this is yet to be announced, Faithworks will remain committed to its 23,000-strong membership and the three strategic aims, which are to resource and empower churches and Christians to develop their roles at the hub of community, to challenge and change public perception of church through engagement with government and media, and to encourage unity and partnership working.

The restructure comes after a year of exciting achievements for Faithworks, including:
• Recognition from the Prime Minister in a special reception at No 10 Downing Street.
• The Faithworks Charter being recommended as a possible best practice model in two government white papers.
• Being awarded a £1 million contract from the Big Lottery Fund to develop the Regional Networks Support Project.
• The Faithworks Awards providing projects nationwide with grants to help them continue their community-transforming work.
• Production of several vital new church and community resources and reports.
• The successful national Faithworks Conference.

“Several months ago we became aware that a significant amount of income would not be continued. These changes have been hard but, at the same time, have forced us to focus our energy and resources in such a way as to ensure that Faithworks continues to support and facilitate its membership in their commitment to the transformation of local communities across the UK,”  said Steve Chalke MBE, Founder of the Faithworks Movement.

“It is doubly difficult that this comes in the wake of such an exciting and successful year, but in the current wider economic climate we are all facing difficult decisions. I am confident that this restructuring will put Faithworks in the best possible position to move into the future effectively and efficiently. I am also very grateful to Malcolm Duncan for all he has done in serving the movement thus far.”

Details of the forthcoming programme of events to be held at the Charities’ Parliament will be announced in the near future.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Faithworks began as a campaign by the Oasis Trust in the run-up to the 2001 General Election, which challenged the incoming government to recognise the vital contribution that churches and Christian projects were making to local communities, and to end discrimination against them in areas such as funding and partnership. Since then it has grown to a national movement with more than 20,000 members and affiliates, and has expanded to South Africa, Uganda and India.

For more information about the Faithworks Movement visit www.faithworks.info

Please direct any press and media enquiries to Hannah Horton, Faithworks Press & Media Officer on 07533 858344 or hannah.horton@faithworks.info