The church and other faith groups have a vital role to play in bringing about positive transformation to UK communities and cannot be ignored, according to the government minister responsible for the communities agenda.

Speaking at the Faithworks Conference on Friday (2nd November), the Rt Hon Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, outlined a clear commitment on behalf of the government to include and value faith groups in tackling the problems communities face.

She explained that despite some mutual mistrust, the last ten years had brought a new maturity to the relationship between government and faith groups:

“In the past faith groups have found doors closed: little recognition of their role, little willingness to debate it. And it was a real missed opportunity that we chose not to make more of their enthusiasm and expertise,” she said. “There were concerns, such as whether faith groups could deliver services unconditionally to people who held different views to their own. These were legitimate questions, but they have not gone unanswered, and we now have a more mature understanding of the contribution that faith communities can make. It’s never been clearer that faith groups must be part of the response to the problems we face.

“As government attitude has developed, so has that of faith groups. We have seen faith groups accept and show how they can live up to that: a promise not to use public funds to proselytise, a promise to serve those with whom you may fundamentally disagree.”

She said the Faithworks Charter, a framework of rights and responsibilities for Christian groups involved in delivering services, demonstrated this commitment to unconditional service. She promised that government will be developing a model for the relationship along similar lines in the future:

“The Faithworks Charter is an excellent example of how the big questions can be answered. We want government to deliver something similar, and for that to come to life in how people serve and respond to those they serve. If you can achieve that, it will give strong reassurance to government at all levels that faith groups can and should be a partner in a whole range of things they do.

“Ten years ago it would have been unusual to see a government minister at an event like this... think where we could be ten years from now.”

She also celebrated and paid tribute to the work being done by churches on the ground in local communities:
“I’ve visited churches that have been the first to step in and provide practical support to neighbourhoods facing huge and complex social challenges – from poverty, to alcohol, to guns and gangs... Faith is what drives them. People go the extra mile and get strength from their faith. It’s that commitment and belief in what you’re doing that means you’re still there at the end of the day when you probably should have gone home. If we don’t harness that energy, we’re all missing out.”

Elsewhere in the Faithworks Conference...

• Minister for Competitiveness, the Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP congratulated Faithworks members on their commitment to localism and activism, and called on churches to remain committed to their faith and to the poor.

• The Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Revd James Jones challenged the church on its commitment to the poor, saying: “Church without the poor is not an authentic church.”

• Patrick Dixon, Europe’s leading futurist, said there was a pressing need for businesses and the church to learn lessons from each other: saying that raising its game was the only way for the church to fulfil its God-given mandate to be as good as it can possibly be, and that the business world could experience exceptional growth if it could harness the passion of the churches.

The Faithworks Conference is taking place at London’s City Temple until Saturday 3rd November. Faithworks is a movement of thousands of Christians, churches and groups who are all committed to serving their communities unconditionally, and in inclusive and compassionate ways.

ENDS