English Baptists buck trend; attendance up

English Baptists buck trend; attendance up

LONDON — Baptists in England recorded a 2 percent increase in Sunday church attendance while overall statistics for the country dropped in 1998, according to a study released recently by The English Church Attendance Survey.

The average Sunday attendance in England was 3.7 million, 7.5 percent of the population. Baptists reported 277,600 worshipers, up two percent from the decade before. In the previous reporting period, 1979-89, Baptists had falling numbers as well, with attendance down seven percent.

The overall statistic is down more than 20 percent from 1989, the report says. Mainline churches recorded large decreases in attendance: Church of England (Anglican) 23 percent; Roman Catholic Church 22 percent; Methodist Church 26 percent and United Reformed Church 18 percent.

The survey findings have been printed as “The Tide is Running Out.” For more information contact Christian Research in the UK, e-mail address; admin@christian-research.org.uk.