Press Releases22 Sep 11

BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY – 25 September 2011

The Church of Ireland Council for Mission is encouraging parishes and churches across Ireland to register for and get involved in Back to Church Sunday on the 25th September this year. In partnership with the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Church of Ireland has produced a short DVD on the initiative which will give you a flavour of what it’s all about, see the video below or view it on YouTube.

Already a number of Church of Ireland parishes have registered from across the island, along with Methodist and other churches both here in Ireland, North and South, in Britain, and worldwide, but we would like to encourage each parish to get involved. This is a great opportunity for every church to invite others to join them in church on 25th September. Members need to simply ask a friend who doesn’t already go to church, to come with them on the 25th.

Clergy and church leaders need to be first up in this, making their own commitment to invite someone to come to church that day. If every member invited just one person who accepted, then congregations would double that day, if only 20% take up this initiative there would still be significant impact. Back to Church Sunday say that ‘Success is one person inviting one person’. Those who have taken part in previous Back to Church Sunday initiatives are clear that people have accepted the invitation have come along and some have decided to stay as part of the church community.

For information on registration go to the Back to Church Sundays web–site, where resources can also be found that might be helpful to churches wanting to use this day as an opportunity for mission in there area.
www.backtochurch.co.uk