TO HAVE a good idea if the church membership is in decline or not, one must not use the traditional Anglican church as a barometer.

The Church of England is just one denomination as one member of the church, which is the body of Christ.

In our conurbation, for example, there are many thriving churches such as New Frontiers (Gateway Church), Bournemouth Community Church, the Christian Centre, Elim churches, The Salvation Army, Methodist churches, Lansdowne Baptist Church and many, many more.

Some believers are housebound and so they watch TBN UK on Freeview.

The St Swithun’s new Anglican church that’s been planted from Holy Trinity Brompton (London) has many services on Sundays to cope with the large number of worshippers – mostly young people.

We also have many Christian organisations like the YMCA, FGBMFI, Keith Jones Bookshop and Green Pastures. Christian charity shops are everywhere as well. The radio station 90.1 Hope FM can be heard as far afield as Salisbury and online worldwide.

The Millennium light (used to be a flame) serves as a rendezvous for all people to come and pray and leave flowers in times when dramatic events take place, e.g. 9/11.

Having said all that, there are always empty chairs in our churches and cathedrals with your name on it. Why not make use of it in these stressful days and ‘try church’.

C SOMMULLER

Westbourne Heights, Bournemouth

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